The Guitar Song

[Saul Gefen]

My latest work,

 

Regards,

 

Saul

 

The Guitar Song

 

Saul Gefen · The Guitar Song

[Raymond Jacob]

Hi, Saul - A friend of mine writes small ensemble music in this vein and through her I learned about Windham Hill Records. I wonder if you've heard any of the composers featured on their recordings. This would fit so well.

I enjoyed this, and when you land on what I guess is the B section (or whatever) at 2:57, it's pretty impactful.  But a couple questions and comments immediately popped into my mind during the two listens I gave this (once in cans and speakers each).  Am I listening to one guitar or two? I'm hearing the prominent single-voiced melodic line, but then I think I'm also hearing finger-picked arpeggiated chords.  I think I understand the effect you're going for, but why do you have the arpeggiated guitar persistent instead of occasional? I feel in the persistent mode the piano and guitar sometimes get in the way of one another.   And also, if you inteded this as one guitarist playing a melody while self-accompanying, then I think the guitar would sound more realistic with the melody and arpeggiation volumes rendered closer together.

You've presented a piece with a very interesting orchestration challenge. I wonder what your thoughts are.  It is, by the way, a lovely piece.  --Ray     

[Saul Gefen]

I really liked that Shelley Philips artist. Great sound. And I think you're right I will have to editing the piece entirely to make it more cohesive and effective.

 

Thanks

 

Saul

[Saul Gefen]

I really liked that Shelley Philips artist. Great sound. And I think you're right I will have to editing the piece entirely to make it more cohesive and effective.

 

Thanks

 

Saul

[David Lilly]

Thanks for sharing this, was a lovely piece and listen. I assume this was a more modern arrangement based off the taditional hymn. 

 

Saul, when you say "There are too many things going on in the piece right now and the instruments don't seem to create a harmonic feel. The violin sometimes wanders obliquely away from the main theme and interferes with the guitar. I think I would have to give the guitar a more clear sound and effect all throughout the piece."

My advice would be not so much to focus on the effect of the guitar but the notes themselves.  As HS Teoh pointed out somewhere here, in a prior post, when your notes are properly placed and you handle the part writing effectively, it then more so comes down to finding the proper instrumentation. You could try deploying some contrapuntal technique into the part writing if you want to have the parts feel more aligned yet still maintain their own individualism.  For example, often it seems you double the melodic line with the piano and guitar. Even applying some 1st species counterpoint here and altering one of the parts into what would effectively become a harmony of the main melody would perhaps evoke more interest and synergy. 

[Saul Gefen]

Thanks for the advice David, I'm currently working on the piece...will post the new version here when it's done.

 

Regards,

 

Saul

[Saul Gefen]

Here is the edited version. 

 

Regards,

 

Saul

 

[Saul Gefen]

Thanks Raymond,

 

No I have not heard of that Windham Records Label or the composers featured there.

Criticism well taken on the piece, I will have to change it. I was thinking about this over the weekend and thought about editing the piece.

There are too many things going on in the piece right now and the instruments don't seem to create a harmonic feel. The violin sometimes wanders obliquely away from the main theme and interferes with the guitar. I think I would have to give the guitar a more clear sound and effect all throughout the piece. As to your question, it's only one guitar playing.

 

Thanks for listening,

 

Saul

[Saul Gefen]

Here's the edited version,

 

Regards,

 

Saul

 

[Ken Lindner]

Hi Saul,

I liked the piece in its first version, (did not find the different parts clashing, but interesting through their complexity), but the revised version is better because of greater clarity and transparency. I especially like the ending of the revised version.

Likewise, I am also an old Windham Hill fan, especially their Christmas albums. I agree with the other respondents that this is certainly within that style. Very enjoyable!

We need more approachable, relaxing music these days. Thank you.

Ken

[Saul Gefen]

Thank you Ken for your comments.

Glad you enjoyed the music. I did remove the aolo violin from the first version also shorten the piece a little. I personally think that second version in general is better, but as you said, there are some aspects of the first version that are more appealing.

 

Regards,

 

Saul