there's a handful of threads here talking about music discussion, preferences and whatnot, but anyone here make their own music, too? tell me what you think of mine, yeah?
If you're looking for great lyricists, some of the biggies: Eminem/Ice Cube/Nas/The Roots/Public Enemy
Some of the biggies? Pun intended? (anyone notice the extra irony there?) And Eminem's best album was his first one, Infinite. I don't know any other rappers that good with multis, except maybe TheSaurus, though he just does freestyle battles.
Some of the biggies? Pun intended? (anyone notice the extra irony there?) And Eminem's best album was his first one, Infinite. I don't know any other rappers that good with multis, except maybe TheSaurus, though he just does freestyle battles.
Unless you're implying I forgot Biggie Smalls, no irony noticed. I'm pretty sure there are other rappers I forgot.
Infinite sounded so plain. The production sounded too much like a Nas record, and he certainly didn't sound original or unique like he did in his later LPs.
I want you to analyze this too. I whipped it up for the singing contest in OD.
I *love* Judas Preist's CD Painkiller and the song, damn awesome. The drums are so damn powerful. Anyway, *analyze mode on*.
*listens*
ROFL. Did that scream just shred your voice, or what? That couldn't have felt very good. Sounds like Guitar Pro in the background, very interesting, too bad it wasn't louder. The recording doesn't have the production to give your voice the "up-front-and-center" treatment.
Honest analysis, honest analysis. That wasn't half bad man, I can't say it's even close to being as good as Halford, but the way you carry that scream and carry on that growl is *DAMN AWESOME*, I got a big kick out of it. I'm not sure what your real singing voice sounds like, but I can't imagine I'd be too bad considering this performance. I bet this isn't the first time you've sung along either, because you're able to mimic the way Halford pronounces certain words.
Your falsetto holds up well and you're able to carry it through most of the song, but it's shreddy, uneven and at times, weak. I'm unaware if you can do falsetto without the death growl, so I'll keep this short: listen to how Rob Halford sings high pitched in Painkiller; the growl is butter on the muffin, an addition, you can still hear his voice hitting ungodly notes. When you sing in falsetto using the death growl, it takes over your voice, making it difficult to hear the notes you're singing. Your range in falsetto sounds limited; you have difficulty with the rise in "this~ is~", although you managed to pull it off very well, abeit forced. The low notes are killed by the growl too. When Rob does those lower notes in the song, it's very clean, while you stay in growl mode and make them inaudible. If you can control the growl, try to reduce it, and eliminate it completely when you mimic his lower notes.
I honestly do think you have potential, that wasn't half bad. Gruff, untrained, vicious, and I enjoyed it. Very few vocalists can be compared to Halford so I'm not about to compare you, but this did the original justice because damn, man, the passion. Work on your falsetto range without the growl so you can hit higher notes; also work on developing a vibrato when you sing notes, which would help your voice nail the "rising to the heavens" effect Halford's voice achieves. Drink plenty of water, practice your breathing, and remember that singing in a death growl wears out the vocal cords much quicker than any other singing technique, *especially* screaming using it. I don't think anybody short of Corey Taylor would risk doing that for a full 3 minutes.
» Your attractive master. »"Because I before E is a LIE!!!"
morgoth bauglir Squire
posted 04-18-08 05:32 AM
CT (US)
29 / 42
I was on heavy caffeine when I sang it. Otherwise I really couldn't get the energy. Seriously, you'll understand how hard that song is when you try to do it. You are damn right with the drink plenty of water remark, I did, but I just didn't have any time for it during the song except the solos: I needed to catch my breath somehow. I have now idea how Halford can do it live all the time... and yeah, I mutter along to teh song very much, so I have almost learned every note of it.
Anyway, that was my try number 7. Of a total 8. So I guess I could keep trying. Painkiller is the perfect song to practice high vocals on, if you can do that song, you're in the clear.
But the death growl ain't as tough as you mentioned. Maybe it's just me, but I think I can hold it out for an entire scream with ease, the real problem for me is the lung. Listened to the end? The "killer" should've been twice the length, growls I have no problem with.
Unless you're implying I forgot Biggie Smalls, no irony noticed.
The Biggie thing was number one. Then when I said "Pun intended", it was a double-whammy, cos there's Big Pun (Punisher).
Infinite sounded so plain. The production sounded too much like a Nas record, and he certainly didn't sound original or unique like he did in his later LPs.
The production? It was pretty much underground, that's how it goes. I was referring to the lyrics. He seemed a lot more skilful back then, and became exponentially worse.
[This message has been edited by Gwame (edited 04-18-2008 @ 01:02 PM).]
Aro AoKH Dictator
posted 04-18-08 11:29 PM
CT (US)
31 / 42
The Biggie thing was number one. Then when I said "Pun intended", it was a double-whammy, cos there's Big Pun (Punisher).
I've never heard of this Punisher. I'll have to check him out if you think he's one of the great lyricists.
The production? It was pretty much underground, that's how it goes. I was referring to the lyrics. He seemed a lot more skilful back then, and became exponentially worse.
I'm not sure about that; the shock-rap aspect was enhanced, but he developed his all-original quirky lyric style and flow, which defined him.
I have now idea how Halford can do it live all the time... and yeah, I mutter along to teh song very much, so I have almost learned every note of it.
He isn't doing it like you are. His breathing and voice are far more controlled. Train, my friend, train.
But the death growl ain't as tough as you mentioned. Maybe it's just me, but I think I can hold it out for an entire scream with ease, the real problem for me is the lung.
It's not tough, but it does damage your vocal chords if used too much.
» Your attractive master. »"Because I before E is a LIE!!!"
morgoth bauglir Squire
posted 04-19-08 02:18 AM
CT (US)
32 / 42
I guess my vocal chords have gotten enough practice at moshpits and football games.
I've never heard of this Punisher. I'll have to check him out if you think he's one of the great lyricists.
I haven't heard much of him either, so I don't actually know how good his lyrics are. I just heard that he's good.
I'm not sure about that; the shock-rap aspect was enhanced, but he developed his all-original quirky lyric style and flow, which defined him.
If you still have the album, listen to the first two songs, Infinite and It's OK. Notice the insane amount of multi-syllable rhymes? I'll take a few lines from It's OK and highlight the rhymes.
Dreaming with a watering mouth Wishing for a better life for my daughter and spouse In this slaughtering house, caught up in bouts With the root of all evil I've seen it turn beautiful peoplecrude and deceitful And make them do shit illegal For these Grants and Jacksons These transactions explain a man's actions
They're called multis (or feminine rhymes), as opposed to Dr. Seuss rhymes (or masculine rhymes), e.g. that fat cat hat, etc. So multis clearly require a lot more skill to pull off. Not many rappers can do that consistently and still make sense. Eminem did it without anyone even noticing. But if you listen to his newer stuff, there's a lack of that. He just became a clown. Don't get me wrong, it's funny and entertaining, but it's not exactly lyrical. So I think Eminem's best work was everything up to and including The Eminem Show.
well my new guitar is going to get here tomorrow. my older brother left me full suite of stuff from his old band that he had back in the day. i got 1 bass and an acoustic and a few other people and there stuff. i will get a track on here someday.
That was not partly mac-a-roll that was toby-mac-a-roll!!
/wget me.sandwich
Daddy Squire
(id: RIPMKIV9398 1987)
posted 05-29-08 03:16 AM
CT (US)
35 / 42
I just read this reply right now.
I'm an outspoken music critic (you all know I am ) and I notice that you list Tupac Shakur as your only influence, thus I feel obligated to tell you what I think.
I also say there's too many to list, foo!
Your voice is creamy, smooth, you have a nice upper range, very R&Bish. Your style is very poppy, so your voice meshes in well with the simplistic beat (not always a good thing), and I don't mind the vocal effects; at some points they give the voice much-needed variation. You seem to have no problem emoting while singing and you sing on key very well. I believe that with the proper training, you can worry less about singing the melody and worry more about actually singing.
The rapping part has a bad flow. The tonal quality you use for your voice isn't great; sounds like you try to sound sexy and smooth, but come off as corny and overly-breathy. More breathing exercises and working on your lower range would help.
Yeah, 'cause I recorded the entire thing (the rapping, not singing) in one take. Studio-time empties the pockets much.
The beat doesn't vary much, which only endorses the melody being cheesy, simplistic and dull. When you sing along to the melody, it sounds like you're just repeating the melody with your vocal instrument, over and over; give it some variation, even Britney Spears changes it up a bit when a melody gets repetitive. Your voice doesn't stand out, and this isn't an attack against your voice, it's just that you follow the melody so closely that your voice doesn't jump out, it just follows the notes. The lyrics are terrible, three minutes of you trying to explain how you want to have sex with me; I don't want you calling me pretty, I want you to be real.
Well, the target audience is the female audience, and if your personal interpretation of "love song" is "I wanna have sex with you song", then oh well. But a love song is what I mean it to be, nothing more. On the real.
What do you care about? What makes you tick? Try writing some poetry, not for a girl, but for yourself, or a family member. Tupac didn't rap about just sex, and in his later years he actually tried to avoid it, only including it due to label pressure.
I understand that the type of music you're going for endorses cheesy copies, but at the moment, there's nothing that makes you stand out from other singers; in fact, you're a bit worse because of your lack of training and limited knowledge in songwriting/music theory. In any type of music, you must innovate and strive to sound different. People are considered artists due to their creativity, and you'll never learn how to be creative if you sing along to Usher and Akon for the rest of your life. Go out there, buy some CDs from genres you wouldn't normally listen to and listen with an open mind. Find what you like about their music, and incorperate it into yours. You gotta be real and be yourself when making music, otherwise you're just another carbon-copy trying to be something they're not. You have potential, and a nice voice, so I'd hate to see it go to waste.
Thanks
Try listening to Marvin Gaye sometime, I think you'd like him.
I do listen to him much, and I do like him much.
Thanks again for the super-analystic (yes, i know that's not a word) constructive criticism
Okay, this is my first time listening to your stuff, and I like it. It sounds really mellow and nice. I don't do drugs, but if I did, I'd for real chill out to it.
List the influences you think you sound like; I hear some Usher and Akon in there, but absolutely no Tupac.
Yeah, 'cause I recorded the entire thing (the rapping, not singing) in one take. Studio-time empties the pockets much.
True, but there are some free programs you can download onto your comp to record yourself in multiple takes. How did you record these? I think you could save a lot of cash if you just bought the equipment to self-record yourself on your computer.
Thanks again for the super-analystic (yes, i know that's not a word) constructive criticism
No problem bud, no offense intended. Hope you stick with it.
» Your attractive master. »"Because I before E is a LIE!!!"
sharrkmaster Squire
posted 06-08-08 00:18 AM
CT (US)
39 / 42
I play guitar, took piano lessons, clarinet, saxophone, and drums. I also have a harmonica that I enjoy messing around with. I pretty much love music.. listening and playing.
Me and one of my friends started a "band" called The Identity Nap. Check out our myspace at www.myspace.com/theidentitynap. And just FYI, we're classified as a Christian band, if that matters to you at all.. but it's not like we're any different from any other band.
I used to drive home after getting drunk, but I had to stop after some moms got "MA-D-D." ================================ I'm not gay, I just really love rainbows. ================================ =====Those who live by the sword get shot by those who don't. =====
[This message has been edited by sharrkmaster (edited 06-08-2008 @ 00:23 AM).]
four hundred babies Squire
(id: Lord_Fadawah)
posted 06-08-08 00:33 AM
CT (US)
40 / 42
Wow, someone's got talent. I thought I was good because I could play Hot Cross Buns on my recorder.
True, but there are some free programs you can download onto your comp to record yourself in multiple takes. How did you record these? I think you could save a lot of cash if you just bought the equipment to self-record yourself on your computer.
True, true.. that's definitely what I do. GarageBand is a GREAT program that comes with all macs. It's easy to do multitracking with GarageBand.. Plus it also comes with some stock sounds if you wanna do MIDI stuff and just compose.
Reason 4.0 is also a great program if you're into synth stuff/electronica type thing.. though it's definitely not limited to just that. I use it to make pretty much anything.. you can do orchestral compositions, techno dance music, or just random drum loops with it. It's a pretty standard program for creating synth.
Finale is a great program for making sheet music... it uses standard music notation, so if you're already familiar with music and how to read it, this is a pretty useful program to write out music on a music sheet. However, the MIDI sounds it comes with pretty much sucks.. but you can always export it and put it into Reason or something to make it sound better.
Guitar Pro is a great program for making guitar tabs and stuff.. though you can actually write out other instruments like piano and drums in it as well. It has pretty decent stock guitar sounds.. but definitely not great. Good for writing out tabs.
If you don't have a mac.. Ableton Live is also really good for recording or doing anything with music. You can use VSTi-plugins (which are like synthetic instruments you can use to make sounds) with it, which makes it really versatile. Some people actually prefer Live over GarageBand (well actually, it's more of a step up from GarageBand). It's also pretty much a standard whenever you use loops and sequences live.. or if you DJ at a club or something.
Also, if you're broke, you can always use Audacity for Windows... it's not as good as Ableton Live or GarageBand.. but you can at least record with it. If your computer has a decent sound card, then you should be able to multitrack with it as well.. but warning, it has some latency so you might be limited to just single takes.
I used to drive home after getting drunk, but I had to stop after some moms got "MA-D-D." ================================ I'm not gay, I just really love rainbows. ================================ =====Those who live by the sword get shot by those who don't. =====
morgoth bauglir Squire
posted 06-09-08 02:27 AM
CT (US)
42 / 42
I use both Guitar Pro 5, in which I write random songs (Aro can vouch for that) and Audacity for recording practically everything. Both are uberprograms.