I said in a previous post that I was thinking about using bass and organ primarily for the Fool Play demo. I took to the keys this morning and was at least able to sketch out a bass part on organ for the current verse an chorus. Here it is with the vocals and keyboard drum track.

I tried a few other things on the keys, but nothing really worth saving. I’m really happy with the feel it will give the chorus. I’ve made a few tries at a soul/Motown feel in the past without success, but am thinking I might get out what I hear when all is said and done on this one.

I got my 2nd issue of Recording magazine (provided as a gift by a benefactor) and it turns out they’re starting a feature for beginners. How’s that for timing?

-Edchronicty in the Machine

I really wanted to re-record the vocals for the Christie demo, but resisted and saved out an instrumental track so I can practice (on my way to Carnegie Hall).

Instead, I worked on Fool Play. I just had the idea in my head and a few lyrics. It feels like it should be soul-ish – a la Hall & Oates. I sang my idea over a beat. Hear is the naked vocal track:

I overcame a technical issue with the vocal track cutting in and out. I recorded the practice drum track (canned, from my keyboard), moved the mic away from the keyboard(then just turned off & unplugged the keyboard) and rebooted my laptop. Problem solved.

Hearing the naked vocal, I realize that I need to be careful of the breaths, sniffs and assorted mouth noises. I’ll be ordering the coupla filter-type pieces (or maybe asking for them for Christmas – hint, hint) before I record any vocals for finished tracks – still a long way away.

The next step is to figure out the chords. I’m thinking of using organ, bass and drums for this demo – maybe some spare guitar accents.

I figured out the my current DAW, Ableton Live 9 Lite, has a midi drum kit that can be “played” via the laptop keyboard. Experiments to come…

-SoulEd Out