Opinions on Original Surf Tune

frundmragone

Joined: Apr 17, 2015
Posts: 120

Posted on Jun 24 2015 10:44 PM

Hey guys I've been heavy into surf lately so I put together a little Pulp Fiction Tarrantino Cheesy 60's Surf inspired track and was hoping to get some opinions

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aqualadius

Joined: Aug 30, 2010
Posts: 414
Charlotte, NC
United States

Posted on Jun 24 2015 11:56 PM

I think it's pretty good. The first thing I would say is that the Rhythm is more like ska than surf, and when I first started playing surf I made that same assumption. But really like Jon Blair just said at Surfer Joe 2015, the Rhythm playing is really an art form in and of itself. As far as the song construction and lead I would say you have some good ideas in there and you're definitely onto the concept. I personally do not like parallel 5ths in music because Bach taught me that it is a no-no. And really ear training is the only thing in music as far as I'm concerned. Keep at it!

Cheers!

—

Jeremy

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frundmragone

Joined: Apr 17, 2015
Posts: 120

Posted on Jun 25 2015 01:23 AM

Thanks man the ska thing was definitely intentional but I understand what you mean the rhythm guitar really is a driving factor in surf but occasionally its cool to change up from the standard thing as far as the 5ths I guess everyone has their own opinions I really appreciate the feedback

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Noel

Joined: Mar 15, 2011
Posts: 8528
Back in Piitsburgh, Pennsylvania, where I grew up.
United States

Posted on Jun 25 2015 07:23 AM

I like the ska-infused rhythm. That works for me, I like it, and it's fun. The song does sound different, in a surfamiliar way, without being the same old same old. I guess (not sure) that's the 5ths. My ears didn't expect them. If I may offer a suggestion, I think the song would benefit from a musical payoff ending, instead of just stopping.

—

This is Noel. Reverb's at maximum an' I'm givin' 'er all she's got.

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frundmragone

Joined: Apr 17, 2015
Posts: 120

Posted on Jun 25 2015 11:55 AM

Thanks man I really love this community everyone is so helpful as far as constructive criticism

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Syndicateofsurf

Joined: Oct 08, 2014
Posts: 1073
Northern Ohio
United States

Posted on Jun 25 2015 11:58 AM

I like your song. Yes, ska beat, no prob, obviously intentional, works fine. I don't know about the parallel 5ths- is that like 2 Jim Beam bottles standing next to each other? I agree with Noel that a bigger ending would be better. Slam that surfboard right into a gremmie's head at the ending! (that was surf talk- I have no idea what it means.)

—

Da Vinci Flinglestein,
The quest for the Tone, the tone of the Quest

The Syndicate of Surf on YouTube

http://www.syndicateofsurf.com/

http://sharawaji.com/

http://surfrockradio.com/

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frundmragone

Joined: Apr 17, 2015
Posts: 120

Posted on Jun 25 2015 12:35 PM

Thanks man yeah the ending could be bigger it ended pretty suddenly. On Friday I'll be getting my j mascis jazz master so maybe I'll add some trem bar stuff as well

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aqualadius

Joined: Aug 30, 2010
Posts: 414
Charlotte, NC
United States

Posted on Jun 25 2015 12:48 PM

I think that my criticism was really not well expressed or thought out, probably due to my parallel fifths. The ska thing is fine of course. It's used in Everybody Up by the Fender IV, as well as a multitude of other first wave through revival songs. You're doubling the guitar part with the bass though, so you could always throw in a Pipeline styled rhythm guitar part to make more contrast, though the ska thing does sound fun as Neil mentioned, and may be a much better idea. And I think I was guessing at what makes the one note at the end of the first line in the second part sound somewhat striking. Though I don't think it's parallel fifths (power chords essentially moving up and down at certain intervals, some intervals were deemed acceptable and others not in Bach's counterpoint "rules"), but it is something that stands out to me. Ultimately it's what sounds good to you, and don't let a boozer like myself harsh your mellow if it's what you like.

Here's an overview of consecutive or Parallel 5ths:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Consecutive_fifths

—

Jeremy

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ArtS

Joined: May 09, 2008
Posts: 1357
Isle of Kent, MD
United States

Posted on Jun 25 2015 12:59 PM

Overall, neat little tune and like Noel said "surfamiliar". The ska rhythm is actually more common in what we call "modern" surf bands and conveys a sound of urgency and energy. I like how you used it. My bigger issue is not sure what happened at about 33 seconds; I'd fix that. For the ending, don't turn down the volume, just let it stop and then (here's where I get in trouble) kick the reverb tank!!!!

—

Surfcat

Agent Octopus
Agent Octopus Bandcamp
Wake up Jimmy! It's Christmastime! - New Single

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Syndicateofsurf

Joined: Oct 08, 2014
Posts: 1073
Northern Ohio
United States

Posted on Jun 25 2015 01:01 PM

ArtS wrote:
here's where I get in trouble) kick the reverb tank!!!!

AWWWWWWWWWWWW!!!!!!!! (do it)

—

Da Vinci Flinglestein,
The quest for the Tone, the tone of the Quest

The Syndicate of Surf on YouTube

http://www.syndicateofsurf.com/

http://sharawaji.com/

http://surfrockradio.com/

Top

ArtS

Joined: May 09, 2008
Posts: 1357
Isle of Kent, MD
United States

Posted on Jun 25 2015 01:12 PM

aqualadius wrote:

Ultimately it's what sounds good to you, and don't let a boozer like myself harsh your mellow if it's what you like.

_Yeah boozers can be a real downers...(by the way what time are we drinking and who's buying????)

—

Surfcat

Agent Octopus
Agent Octopus Bandcamp
Wake up Jimmy! It's Christmastime! - New Single

Top

frundmragone

Joined: Apr 17, 2015
Posts: 120

Posted on Jun 25 2015 01:21 PM

Haha thanks guys I'll probably make a few more originally it wasn't supposed to be so ska but just have a hint of it but when I showed the part to a friend of mine to record he made a stricter strumming pattern than I originally had. As far as the 5ths I'm completely stupid When it comes to theory you guys know better than me. Overall for my first surf track I'm decently satisfied

Top

ArtS

Joined: May 09, 2008
Posts: 1357
Isle of Kent, MD
United States

Posted on Jun 25 2015 01:30 PM

frundmragone wrote:

Haha thanks guys I'll probably make a few more originally it wasn't supposed to be so ska but just have a hint of it but when I showed the part to a friend of mine to record he made a stricter strumming pattern than I originally had. As far as the 5ths I'm completely stupid When it comes to theory you guys know better than me. Overall for my first surf track I'm decently satisfied

You should be! Much better than my first efforts that ended with trailing off DR-660 drum patterns for 30 seconds.

—

Surfcat

Agent Octopus
Agent Octopus Bandcamp
Wake up Jimmy! It's Christmastime! - New Single

Top

frundmragone

Joined: Apr 17, 2015
Posts: 120

Posted on Jun 25 2015 01:37 PM

Whoever said that this would have benefitted from a pipeline style guitar as well i can totally see it

Top

frundmragone

Joined: Apr 17, 2015
Posts: 120

Posted on Jun 25 2015 02:07 PM

Maybe I'll go for a surf rider feel for the next one

Top

frundmragone Joined: Apr 17, 2015 Posts: 120	Posted on Jun 24 2015 10:44 PM Hey guys I've been heavy into surf lately so I put together a little Pulp Fiction Tarrantino Cheesy 60's Surf inspired track and was hoping to get some opinions Top
aqualadius Joined: Aug 30, 2010 Posts: 414 Charlotte, NC	Posted on Jun 24 2015 11:56 PM I think it's pretty good. The first thing I would say is that the Rhythm is more like ska than surf, and when I first started playing surf I made that same assumption. But really like Jon Blair just said at Surfer Joe 2015, the Rhythm playing is really an art form in and of itself. As far as the song construction and lead I would say you have some good ideas in there and you're definitely onto the concept. I personally do not like parallel 5ths in music because Bach taught me that it is a no-no. And really ear training is the only thing in music as far as I'm concerned. Keep at it! Cheers! — Jeremy Top
frundmragone Joined: Apr 17, 2015 Posts: 120	Posted on Jun 25 2015 01:23 AM Thanks man the ska thing was definitely intentional but I understand what you mean the rhythm guitar really is a driving factor in surf but occasionally its cool to change up from the standard thing as far as the 5ths I guess everyone has their own opinions I really appreciate the feedback Top
Noel Joined: Mar 15, 2011 Posts: 8528 Back in Piitsburgh, Pennsylvania, where I grew up.	Posted on Jun 25 2015 07:23 AM I like the ska-infused rhythm. That works for me, I like it, and it's fun. The song does sound different, in a surfamiliar way, without being the same old same old. I guess (not sure) that's the 5ths. My ears didn't expect them. If I may offer a suggestion, I think the song would benefit from a musical payoff ending, instead of just stopping. — This is Noel. Reverb's at maximum an' I'm givin' 'er all she's got. Top
frundmragone Joined: Apr 17, 2015 Posts: 120	Posted on Jun 25 2015 11:55 AM Thanks man I really love this community everyone is so helpful as far as constructive criticism Top
Syndicateofsurf Joined: Oct 08, 2014 Posts: 1073 Northern Ohio	Posted on Jun 25 2015 11:58 AM I like your song. Yes, ska beat, no prob, obviously intentional, works fine. I don't know about the parallel 5ths- is that like 2 Jim Beam bottles standing next to each other? I agree with Noel that a bigger ending would be better. Slam that surfboard right into a gremmie's head at the ending! (that was surf talk- I have no idea what it means.) — Da Vinci Flinglestein, The quest for the Tone, the tone of the Quest The Syndicate of Surf on YouTube http://www.syndicateofsurf.com/ http://sharawaji.com/ http://surfrockradio.com/ Top
frundmragone Joined: Apr 17, 2015 Posts: 120	Posted on Jun 25 2015 12:35 PM Thanks man yeah the ending could be bigger it ended pretty suddenly. On Friday I'll be getting my j mascis jazz master so maybe I'll add some trem bar stuff as well Top
aqualadius Joined: Aug 30, 2010 Posts: 414 Charlotte, NC	Posted on Jun 25 2015 12:48 PM I think that my criticism was really not well expressed or thought out, probably due to my parallel fifths. The ska thing is fine of course. It's used in Everybody Up by the Fender IV, as well as a multitude of other first wave through revival songs. You're doubling the guitar part with the bass though, so you could always throw in a Pipeline styled rhythm guitar part to make more contrast, though the ska thing does sound fun as Neil mentioned, and may be a much better idea. And I think I was guessing at what makes the one note at the end of the first line in the second part sound somewhat striking. Though I don't think it's parallel fifths (power chords essentially moving up and down at certain intervals, some intervals were deemed acceptable and others not in Bach's counterpoint "rules"), but it is something that stands out to me. Ultimately it's what sounds good to you, and don't let a boozer like myself harsh your mellow if it's what you like. Here's an overview of consecutive or Parallel 5ths: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Consecutive_fifths — Jeremy Top
ArtS Joined: May 09, 2008 Posts: 1357 Isle of Kent, MD	Posted on Jun 25 2015 12:59 PM Overall, neat little tune and like Noel said "surfamiliar". The ska rhythm is actually more common in what we call "modern" surf bands and conveys a sound of urgency and energy. I like how you used it. My bigger issue is not sure what happened at about 33 seconds; I'd fix that. For the ending, don't turn down the volume, just let it stop and then (here's where I get in trouble) kick the reverb tank!!!! — Surfcat Agent Octopus Agent Octopus Bandcamp Wake up Jimmy! It's Christmastime! - New Single Top
Syndicateofsurf Joined: Oct 08, 2014 Posts: 1073 Northern Ohio	Posted on Jun 25 2015 01:01 PM ArtS wrote: here's where I get in trouble) kick the reverb tank!!!! AWWWWWWWWWWWW!!!!!!!! (do it) — Da Vinci Flinglestein, The quest for the Tone, the tone of the Quest The Syndicate of Surf on YouTube http://www.syndicateofsurf.com/ http://sharawaji.com/ http://surfrockradio.com/ Top
ArtS Joined: May 09, 2008 Posts: 1357 Isle of Kent, MD	Posted on Jun 25 2015 01:12 PM aqualadius wrote: Ultimately it's what sounds good to you, and don't let a boozer like myself harsh your mellow if it's what you like. _Yeah boozers can be a real downers...(by the way what time are we drinking and who's buying????) — Surfcat Agent Octopus Agent Octopus Bandcamp Wake up Jimmy! It's Christmastime! - New Single Top
frundmragone Joined: Apr 17, 2015 Posts: 120	Posted on Jun 25 2015 01:21 PM Haha thanks guys I'll probably make a few more originally it wasn't supposed to be so ska but just have a hint of it but when I showed the part to a friend of mine to record he made a stricter strumming pattern than I originally had. As far as the 5ths I'm completely stupid When it comes to theory you guys know better than me. Overall for my first surf track I'm decently satisfied Top
ArtS Joined: May 09, 2008 Posts: 1357 Isle of Kent, MD	Posted on Jun 25 2015 01:30 PM frundmragone wrote: Haha thanks guys I'll probably make a few more originally it wasn't supposed to be so ska but just have a hint of it but when I showed the part to a friend of mine to record he made a stricter strumming pattern than I originally had. As far as the 5ths I'm completely stupid When it comes to theory you guys know better than me. Overall for my first surf track I'm decently satisfied You should be! Much better than my first efforts that ended with trailing off DR-660 drum patterns for 30 seconds. — Surfcat Agent Octopus Agent Octopus Bandcamp Wake up Jimmy! It's Christmastime! - New Single Top
frundmragone Joined: Apr 17, 2015 Posts: 120	Posted on Jun 25 2015 01:37 PM Whoever said that this would have benefitted from a pipeline style guitar as well i can totally see it Top
frundmragone Joined: Apr 17, 2015 Posts: 120	Posted on Jun 25 2015 02:07 PM Maybe I'll go for a surf rider feel for the next one Top

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Opinions on Original Surf Tune