music theory project - don't do sadness

[brainpolice23]

Posted: 1/21/07 at 8:46pm

i arranged/transcribed the first part of this song for a music theory project, and my teacher enjoyed it...and asked me to record it. So I headed over to my friend's house, and we came out with a pretty solid product, thanks to some of my musician friends.

http://www.myspace.com/misterherb

please post any feedback.


Updated On: 1/23/07 at 08:46 PM

[brainpolice23]

Posted: 1/21/07 at 9:45pm

double-post. Updated On: 1/23/07 at 09:45 PM

[lightguy06222]

Posted: 1/21/07 at 10:11pm

heard it... and it was bad...

WAYY bad!

if you want a laugh, i suggest everyone listen

no offense buddy, but you cant do a cover on a BRAND new song from a BRAND new musical, which is called the best musical of the year, and expect people to enjoy it.

maybe in a few years it would be better.

like i said, no offense

[brainpolice23]

Posted: 1/21/07 at 10:17pm

thanks for the feedback. i'm sorry you didn't enjoy it.

[stephen3]

Posted: 1/21/07 at 10:20pm

Light Guy,
You are a Jackass.
Offer constructive criticism, for Gods sake.
Take out your frustrations someplace else.

[stephen3]

Posted: 1/21/07 at 10:23pm

Brainpolice, Please post the link again or PM me with it.
I look forward to hearing your opus...
And please dont let Lightguy Jackass crap on your day-He is obviously very repressed.

[shesamarshmallow]

Posted: 1/21/07 at 10:24pm

The beginning is very good - but some of the vocals are strange (like the first blue). The chorus, I think, is a little too busy and not quite as well blended as on the cast recording. Fairly impressive, though!

[brainpolice23]

Posted: 1/21/07 at 10:27pm

haha, thanks for the feedback again. as i said, this was not intended to be some sort of polished product...just part of a music theory project...which was to arrange/transcribe a song you heard on the radio or on a cd. the thing that bothers me the most about it is right before the line about "summer wind" the lowest note i wrote for the viola is very dissonant and contrasts heavily with the vocals.

if you're actually interested in more serious stuff, you can check some of the other tracks on that site. i am simply a high school amateur musician, still learning a crapload everyday. thanks again for giving constructive criticism, not merely insults.
Updated On: 1/21/07 at 10:27 PM

[brainpolice23]

Posted: 1/23/07 at 12:56pm

i made some of the changes. and the recording now sounds pretty good.

the mp3 is up on this site.

http://www.mixtake.com/zachfuhrer/01%20Don't%20do%20sadness.mp3

[sidjones09]

Posted: 1/23/07 at 1:01pm

Hey Zach,

Nice job. I know how hard it is to do this and you did a great job and you have a decent voice. I would check some of the synthesized string chords in the very beginning when they come in and the first couple string parts in the hook/chorus, but otherwise you pretty much nailed the transcription. How long did it take you and where are you studying?

[sidjones09]

Posted: 1/23/07 at 1:06pm

After a second listen, I was wondering if the strings are synth or are they acoustic?

[brainpolice23]

Posted: 1/23/07 at 1:14pm

they are real strings, haha. we are all just high school kids, and i did this whole thing as a music theory project on arranging/transcribing music. some lines i took liberties with in the viola and violin, but the entrance you speak of is right on in the beginning and pretty much right on in the chorus. most of the liberties i took were with the viola, mainly because i love to use the 6th, and on the syncopated entrances i ghosted the third eighth note by just having the viola play. i am by no means a trained vocalist, i sing in the shower, and sometimes in school musicals.

i like to write and arrange music however. if you're interested in some other stuff check out.

http://www.myspace.com/misterherb

also, if you want the transcription, i'll try to post it in a user-friendly format...because right now it's in sibelius.
Updated On: 1/23/07 at 01:14 PM

[sidjones09]

Posted: 1/23/07 at 1:21pm

I'd definitely like to see the transcription when you get the chance.

[brainpolice23]

Posted: 1/23/07 at 1:25pm

i think you might dig the other songs on my myspace. the strings in the chorus play a little on the melody to "blue wind," which is pretty neat. the only one who was really familiar with the song was the cellist, who is a beast of a player.

[dramaqueen2]

Posted: 1/23/07 at 2:28pm

hey that was pretty cool, i definitely respect you for making such a bold attempt such as this..

the beginning was bad at all, but kinda lost it a bit in the chorus. the vocals just aren't my cup of tea, too rockerlike for me.. i'm a broadway girl all the way.. so, call me cliche =)

i am dying for the sheet music for this show!

[brainpolice23]

Posted: 1/23/07 at 2:37pm

i don't have a very good musical theatre voice...my vibrato blows, that's why i thought that i might be able to get away with this. i was curious if you'd want just like a piano score, with mock-ups of string lines etc. or if you'd want the entire score (piano, guitar, cello, violin, viola, bass, vocals). if anyone's interested, i can make an almost music-minus-one...karaoke thing...so that you can sing it with out vocals. umm, check out psycho killer (STOP MAKING SENSE) version.

http://www.myspace.com/misterherb

[dramaqueen2]

Posted: 1/23/07 at 2:41pm

hey brainpolice, i may just take you up on that offer.. could you do it for 'my junk'?

i have a group who would be interested in singing this song for a gala.. let me know. pm me or something.

thanks! =)

[brainpolice23]

Posted: 1/23/07 at 2:44pm

i don't know if i'll have the time. this was sort of a one-time thing for a music class. i really shouldn't waste more of my time with spring awakening and singing, as i have to return to my bass clarinet practicing. I have a massive solo in this concert in a little over a week.

[sidjones09]

Posted: 1/23/07 at 2:49pm

brain you don't need a musical theatre sound for the music of Spring Awakening, actually it wouldn't even be appropriate. I thought the quality of your voice was right on target for the style of music, but obviously there are some basic singing techniques that could make your voice sound even better. Overall though you have a nice vocal instrument. Keep working on it and it will only get stronger.

[Dibbledl01]

Posted: 1/23/07 at 5:14pm

i very much enjoyed it. I'm learning to arrange some pieces myself (I'm only on GarageBand though, you sound like you are WAY ahead of that ) I thought your voice fit the song wonderfully and very much enjoyed the strings. Keep up the great work!

[bella cantato]

Posted: 1/23/07 at 7:20pm

You did a GREAT job! I can't believe you are in high school. Keep up the good work. Seriously, don't listen to lightguy, at all.

My ONLY criticism would be not to close off your vowels (like in "myyyy" or "wayyy".) I mean I understand the sound you are going to, and that definitely works for different styles, and it's cool that you are taking another step away from the "Broadway musical" sound, but I personally just feel like it would be better not to close them off and then hold them for so long.

But other than that, you really, really did a great job.

[brainpolice23]

Posted: 1/23/07 at 10:22pm

thanks again for the feedback. it's great to start in garage band, however a music notation program like sibelius works excellent if you have a midi controller. with songs similar to those from spring awakening it's pretty easy to figure out melodies and rhythms once you figure out the chord structure. there is some flexibility with harmonies, for example rhythmically the violin part and viola part are practically identical in this song...however by using the violin as a more stagnant line that holds closely to the chord root and 5th, and creating interesting intervals with the viola, you get these interesting passages and tension resolution type stuff.

[OnMyWay]

Posted: 1/24/07 at 1:42am

I am very impressed with you, sir. Keep up the good work. Let us know if you do anything else exciting.

[brainpolice23]

Posted: 1/24/07 at 9:30am

I did an arrangement of "Summertime" for bass clarinet, piano, ride cymbal and vocs, and "Psycho Killer" with electronic drums and acoustic guitar. I don't know if you'd be interested in that stuff, but David Byrne of Talking Heads fame is almost as weird and awkward as Moritz.
Updated On: 1/24/07 at 09:30 AM

[brainpolice23]

Posted: 1/24/07 at 11:55am

my bad. double post. i suck at borting.