Super interesting reading about how you’ve learned guitar. I can tell you nobody listening to this would know it’s not second nature. Absolutely beautiful guitar, but the drums are the magic here. Not a second slips or is boring. They’re mesmerizing.

One of my favorites of the whole year of wb

Super interesting reading about how you’ve learned guitar. I can tell you nobody listening to this would know it’s not second nature. Absolutely beautiful guitar, but the drums are the magic here. Not a second slips or is boring. They’re mesmerizing. One of my favorites of the whole year of wb

I love some of the big turns this track takes and the Steely Dan Aja-style drums. Really awesome stuff!

I love some of the big turns this track takes and the Steely Dan Aja-style drums. Really awesome stuff!

That drum beat is adding a lot of life into the track. The arpeggiated guitars are beautiful, and I was thinking how a different beat would change the vibe completely. Those wailing synths around 1:40 onwards are really nice, they float above the track.

That drum beat is adding a lot of life into the track. The arpeggiated guitars are beautiful, and I was thinking how a different beat would change the vibe completely. Those wailing synths around 1:40 onwards are really nice, they float above the track.

This is awesome, I've seen a bit about Jacob Collier's 5-string approach but I appreciate hearing (and reading about) your experience with this tuning.  You've landed on a really pleasant, almost hypnotic groove. Some of the the picking evokes some Radiohead (weird fishes, etc.) maybe? Such a tasty and well thought out track, especially for spending so little time with a completely different tuning.

But yeah, reading your blog post, there's pretty clear value in having a tuning you feel is more intuitive and enables you to generate/record ideas. Plus you're still gaining dexterity/callous if you ever decide to return to standard tuning. Also, I am beyond flattered to be mentioned in such a kind way (and next to jwh for that matter!), cheers

This is awesome, I've seen a bit about Jacob Collier's 5-string approach but I appreciate hearing (and reading about) your experience with this tuning. You've landed on a really pleasant, almost hypnotic groove. Some of the the picking evokes some Radiohead (weird fishes, etc.) maybe? Such a tasty and well thought out track, especially for spending so little time with a completely different tuning. But yeah, reading your blog post, there's pretty clear value in having a tuning you feel is more intuitive and enables you to generate/record ideas. Plus you're still gaining dexterity/callous if you ever decide to return to standard tuning. Also, I am beyond flattered to be mentioned in such a kind way (and next to jwh for that matter!), cheers :)

The mix is so nice on this. Love how clean the percussion is alongside the reverbed and saturated guitar

The mix is so nice on this. Love how clean the percussion is alongside the reverbed and saturated guitar

Beautiful. I absolutely love the right-left stereo harmonies that come out towards the end with the multitrack guitar, and the chill vangelis style synths are a wonderful accompaniment.

I suppose it's true of most instruments, but I've been amazed at how much recording playing guitar - towards making a song, and having problems to solve and specific goals - has dramatically improved my skill and made me learn faster. The five string journey you described (and very much enjoyed the blog post) feels like a similar journey.

Beautiful. I absolutely love the right-left stereo harmonies that come out towards the end with the multitrack guitar, and the chill vangelis style synths are a wonderful accompaniment. I suppose it's true of most instruments, but I've been amazed at how much recording playing guitar - towards making a song, and having problems to solve and specific goals - has dramatically improved my skill and made me learn faster. The five string journey you described (and very much enjoyed the blog post) feels like a similar journey.

this is great, rplktr! and thanks so much for the shoutout

i really like the panned guitars, and that you also mixed in the mic'd acoustic sound of the guitar. i really like doing that when recording electrics, especially for more strumming parts.

i was glad you mentioned Keith Richards in the blog post. i got insprired reading his bio "Life" several years ago and decided to set my Danelectro up in his 5 string tuning at the time. it was so fun to play and i came up with ideas everytime i picked it up. alternate tunings are great for that.

i hope you keep up with it, you've got a good feel for the guitar.

this is great, rplktr! and thanks so much for the shoutout :) i really like the panned guitars, and that you also mixed in the mic'd acoustic sound of the guitar. i really like doing that when recording electrics, especially for more strumming parts. i was glad you mentioned Keith Richards in the blog post. i got insprired reading his bio "Life" several years ago and decided to set my Danelectro up in his 5 string tuning at the time. it was so fun to play and i came up with ideas everytime i picked it up. alternate tunings are great for that. i hope you keep up with it, you've got a good feel for the guitar.

I don’t grok any of this, but it sounds epic. Just needs Suzanne Vega vocals

I don’t grok any of this, but it sounds epic. Just needs Suzanne Vega vocals ;)

I agree with jwh, the doubling sounds really nice in this track, adds some really interesting movement to the overall track.  And the string mic is mixed in very nicely. 

I agree with jwh, the doubling sounds really nice in this track, adds some really interesting movement to the overall track. And the string mic is mixed in very nicely.

I'm always down for some prog rock. This is awesome and I'm glad it's working out for you.
- Devieus

I'm always down for some prog rock. This is awesome and I'm glad it's working out for you. - Devieus

Really cool! I have been wanting to get a Yamaha Revstar. What do you mean by five string guitar? Is this a new thing or are you leaving off a certain string? I'm thinking of going without my low string after reading this because my guitar needs some work. I want to get another guitar so I can work in multiple tunings:)

This track is gorgeous. Lots of space to it and some beautiful aurora borealis melodies. Maybe i experienced synaesthesia here. I was listening at a low volume and the drums were really quiet is maybe constructive circuits sm oraybe I just had my speaker too low. But anyways, cool song!!

Really cool! I have been wanting to get a Yamaha Revstar. What do you mean by five string guitar? Is this a new thing or are you leaving off a certain string? I'm thinking of going without my low string after reading this because my guitar needs some work. I want to get another guitar so I can work in multiple tunings:) This track is gorgeous. Lots of space to it and some beautiful aurora borealis melodies. Maybe i experienced synaesthesia here. I was listening at a low volume and the drums were really quiet is maybe constructive circuits sm oraybe I just had my speaker too low. But anyways, cool song!!

Tasty, loving the guitars doubled, created cool atmosphere. I like the feel of the drum groove. Did you program in those drums? Just skimmed your blog post. Really intriguing - 5 strings with that tuning. I may try that someday. Not a player, just know a few chords, but seems like as a beginner that could be fun.

someone mentioned Steely Dan drums above, now I'm thinking about their songs as I listen to this ... oh and radiohead, hmm

Tasty, loving the guitars doubled, created cool atmosphere. I like the feel of the drum groove. Did you program in those drums? Just skimmed your blog post. Really intriguing - 5 strings with that tuning. I may try that someday. Not a player, just know a few chords, but seems like as a beginner that could be fun. someone mentioned Steely Dan drums above, now I'm thinking about their songs as I listen to this ... oh and radiohead, hmm

my mind also struggles with the piano to guitar - so strange (though if i'm honest piano theory never really stuck that well in my mind either - i end up getting frustraited and playing by ear with both instruments...)

sounds like you are making some great progress & finding what's working for you

the guitar tone is pretty on this

my mind also struggles with the piano to guitar - so strange (though if i'm honest piano theory never really stuck that well in my mind either - i end up getting frustraited and playing by ear with both instruments...) sounds like you are making some great progress & finding what's working for you the guitar tone is pretty on this

i love where this track developed into. it flirts with math rock without losing it's soul. really nicely done

i love where this track developed into. it flirts with math rock without losing it's soul. really nicely done

I know very little about guitars but this sounds great, sounds like someone playing who know exactly what they want the guitars to sound like.  Those drums sound fantastic, finger drummed (that is some serious skill) or programmed, either way they sound great.  Great stuff, listened now twice in a row.

I know very little about guitars but this sounds great, sounds like someone playing who know exactly what they want the guitars to sound like. Those drums sound fantastic, finger drummed (that is some serious skill) or programmed, either way they sound great. Great stuff, listened now twice in a row.

agree with others, that drum track really makes this pop. Also, I never would have guessed you only got a guitar in 2020. Love the guitar/synth swells that start around 1:20. Nice tune!

agree with others, that drum track really makes this pop. Also, I never would have guessed you only got a guitar in 2020. Love the guitar/synth swells that start around 1:20. Nice tune!

magical

magical

Amazing as always! That opsix bass sounds really good! I would’ve thought it was fingerpicked electric bass if you hadn't mentioned it in the description. Tasty playing as well

Amazing as always! That opsix bass sounds really good! I would’ve thought it was fingerpicked electric bass if you hadn't mentioned it in the description. Tasty playing as well :)

Wow you created an awesome vibe here and the mix is so pleasant the ears. I love the development of the chord progressions. Killer track!

Wow you created an awesome vibe here and the mix is so pleasant the ears. I love the development of the chord progressions. Killer track!

Chord progressions reminds me of early PS1/PS2 rpg games, like first time entering a big city and everything feels so large and majestic and the possibilities are wide open; thinking of Star Ocean 3 in particular. Love the way it all evolves, you did a great job. Those pitch bends around the 3 minute mark was a bold idea, but it totally works!

Chord progressions reminds me of early PS1/PS2 rpg games, like first time entering a big city and everything feels so large and majestic and the possibilities are wide open; thinking of Star Ocean 3 in particular. Love the way it all evolves, you did a great job. Those pitch bends around the 3 minute mark was a bold idea, but it totally works!

love it! I think your playing is great, but I actually can't play anything so I'm not a good judge
love the solo synth that creeps in in the second half - really completes the ambience

love it! I think your playing is great, but I actually can't play anything so I'm not a good judge ;) love the solo synth that creeps in in the second half - really completes the ambience

Wow, you're too kind! Thank you.

I haven't ever listened to that album. Need to fix that now!

Yeah, I deliberately avoided a regular 4/4 kick-snare beat in the latter half of the track. Glad it works!

I've heard the Radiohead comparison from other friends, too. "Anybody can play guitar", right?

Thank you, I appreciate it!

This, 100%. And Weekly Beats helps overcoming delusions of grandeur by setting aggressive but doable deadlines. It's a wonderful combo for me.

Book added to the list!

I'll call her lol

I'm surprised it's so audible, but yeah, without it the guitar sounds more... muffled?

Thank you, sir!

Yeah, the blog post describes it in detail. Long story short: you remove the lowest string and move it up. Then you tune the guitar to DAEAD and it's a revelation for a piano player like me! The Revstars are cool, I really like how mine looks and feels.

The drums are two fingerdrummed layers (you'll notice this because "the drummer" got like 4 hands ) on the FGDP-50. I do love that machine, it's very ergonomically organized.

Tranferring ideas from your head to physical reality through manual motion can be a challenge. In my case I'm just impatient since I'm happy enough about my piano skill. I mean, I'm no superfast shredder, but I don't really miss that ability in the music I'm making. But on the guitar I was back at square one and that felt pretty discouraging. That DAEAD tuning is a game changer for me!

Haha, thanks, I will record this quote for future reference

Two layers of fingerdrumming here. It takes a few months of practice with the FGDP-50, but the practice is fun the entire time.

Thanks for stopping by!

✨🧙🏻‍♂️✨

It's a great subtle patch. The original preset overdoes the legato glide and vibrato on aftertouch, but I dialed my own version that I'm pretty happy with.

Thank you, Dan!

Never heard of that game series, will have to check that out!

Thanks for listening, Daniel!

[quote=jbarket]One of my favorites of the whole year of wb[/quote] Wow, you're too kind! Thank you. [quote=Sodabelly]Steely Dan Aja-style drums[/quote] I haven't ever listened to that album. Need to fix that now! [quote=Kedbreak136]I was thinking how a different beat would change the vibe completely.[/quote] Yeah, I deliberately avoided a regular 4/4 kick-snare beat in the latter half of the track. Glad it works! [quote=Cursory]Some of the the picking evokes some Radiohead (weird fishes, etc.) maybe?[/quote] I've heard the Radiohead comparison from other friends, too. "Anybody can play guitar", right? :D [quote=danju] Love how clean the percussion is alongside the reverbed and saturated guitar[/quote] Thank you, I appreciate it! [quote=neon liminal]I've been amazed at how much recording playing guitar - towards making a song, and having problems to solve and specific goals - has dramatically improved my skill and made me learn faster.[/quote] This, 100%. And Weekly Beats helps overcoming delusions of grandeur by setting aggressive but doable deadlines. It's a wonderful combo for me. [quote=jwh]i was glad you mentioned Keith Richards in the blog post. i got insprired reading his bio "Life" several years ago and decided to set my Danelectro up in his 5 string tuning at the time. it was so fun to play and i came up with ideas everytime i picked it up. alternate tunings are great for that.[/quote] Book added to the list! [quote=jimmac]Just needs Suzanne Vega vocals ;)[/quote] I'll call her lol [quote=Napear]And the string mic is mixed in very nicely.[/quote] I'm surprised it's so audible, but yeah, without it the guitar sounds more... muffled? [quote=Devieus]This is awesome and I'm glad it's working out for you. -Devieus[/quote] Thank you, sir! [quote=george bowles]I have been wanting to get a Yamaha Revstar. What do you mean by five string guitar? Is this a new thing or are you leaving off a certain string?[/quote] Yeah, the blog post describes it in detail. Long story short: you remove the lowest string and move it up. Then you tune the guitar to DAEAD and it's a revelation for a piano player like me! The Revstars are cool, I really like how mine looks and feels. [quote=miraclemiles]Did you program in those drums? (...) someone mentioned Steely Dan drums above, now I'm thinking about their songs as I listen to this ... oh and radiohead, hmm [/quote] The drums are two fingerdrummed layers (you'll notice this because "the drummer" got like 4 hands :D) on the FGDP-50. I do love that machine, it's very ergonomically organized. [quote=emily]my mind also struggles with the piano to guitar - so strange[/quote] Tranferring ideas from your head to physical reality through manual motion can be a challenge. In my case I'm just impatient since I'm happy enough about my piano skill. I mean, I'm no superfast shredder, but I don't really miss that ability in the music I'm making. But on the guitar I was back at square one and that felt pretty discouraging. That DAEAD tuning is a game changer for me! [quote=nedsferatu]flirts with math rock without losing its soul[/quote] Haha, thanks, I will record this quote for future reference :D [quote=Jason Nijjer]Those drums sound fantastic, finger drummed (that is some serious skill) or programmed, either way they sound great.[/quote] Two layers of fingerdrumming here. It takes a few months of practice with the FGDP-50, but the practice is fun the entire time. [quote=SQF]Nice tune![/quote] Thanks for stopping by! [quote=chr15m]magical[/quote] ✨🧙🏻‍♂️✨ [quote=cortx]That opsix bass sounds really good! I would’ve thought it was fingerpicked electric bass if you hadn't mentioned it in the description.[/quote] It's a great subtle patch. The original preset overdoes the legato glide and vibrato on aftertouch, but I dialed my own version that I'm pretty happy with. [quote=pineapple_dan]Killer track![/quote] Thank you, Dan! [quote=that_ranjit]thinking of Star Ocean 3 in particular[/quote] Never heard of that game series, will have to check that out! [quote=ddmm64]love it! I think your playing is great, but I actually can't play anything so I'm not a good judge ;) love the solo synth that creeps in in the second half - really completes the ambience[/quote] Thanks for listening, Daniel!