E Minor Guitar Duet

[Jay Guitarman]

Hi AM guitar fellows,
I have tried to improvise a little bit on an E minor chord progression. The challenge for me for this exercise was to keep up a steady rhythm and to play a lead part with several e-minor ideas on top of it. What do you think about this?
Thanks for listening. Jay

Topic

[sunjamr]

Well done, Jay. That’s some excellent noodling. I only have a couple of suggestions: Try to reduce your string squeak. Maybe use coated strings, if you aren’t already. Also, consider using a simple motif in the beginning, then return to it often enough that the listener recognizes it. Classical music composers call it “theme and variation”. This is something that I’m only beginning to delve into, but all the best songs use a repeated motif.

Sunjamr Steve

[Jay Guitarman]

Hi Steve, you are hitting the nail on the head. Thanks for your hint. That’s what I am working a lot on for a while now. There’s rhythm and it’s engine function on the one hand, and lead with its melodic repetitive phrases on the other… I could have created an even more recognizable melody.
As to the strings, you are right, it’s maybe time for a change…

[smilefred]

Hi jay I think you did a great job. phrases are really meaningful
I enjoyed it
Ale

[Jay Guitarman]

Thanks Ale! Your logo and name is excellent:-)

[JoLa]

Very atmospheric, great rhythm, and a nice solo to complement it. Love the visuals as well, great job, Jay!

♪JoLa

[Jay Guitarman]

Hi Lola, thanks for your encouraging comment!

[Richard G]

Hi Jay,
There’s nothing better for creating an atmosphere that captures the imagination than ethereal music and moving images. You harnessed both mediums very well indeed. Thoroughly enjoyable ……

Richard

[Jay Guitarman]

Thanks Richard!

[charjo]

Hi Jay,
I love this series of duets you have been submitting. My only critique here would be with respect to the mix. I thought the rhythm track, at times, might have overwhelmed the lead. You could alter the mix but have you ever played with compression? It can smooth out the rhythm track, bring up the low volume areas and tone down the highs. You can minimize how much gets compressed by varying the knee, threshold and ratio settings. Adding compression will slightly lower the overall volume on it’s own.
John

[Jay Guitarman]

Hi John,
thanks for your advice and valuable remarks. As to the tone, I’ll check that out and see how I can improve that. As to the rhythm part, I wanted not to cover it with the lead and let it come through. I also tried to make more pauses when playing the lead… I still have to work on this…

[Phil67]

Wonderful video, I like the switch to the moon with the sound getting softer then starting again.
Nice composition,

Where does the white go when snow melts?

[Robert Rosewood (aka Matt Scallon)]

Nice Jay, it made me realize all the possibilities in doing duets of this sort. Like the visuals as well.

Matt

RR

[Garry]

Very atmospheric Jay. Again, well played, you’re becoming very prolific regarding these compositions. You’re inspiring me to create something original. Keep it up. All the best.

[Geoff]

I think this was absolutely fantastic. There was a comment about string squeak and the rythm overwhelming the lead in spots but I couldn’t really come up with the same conclusion – you really played this very well and I think you got the mix just right.

Really liked the phrasing and the way you divided this into sections slowing down at just the right spots. What you did reminded me of Mike Oldfield who is one of my all time favorite guitarists.

[Dieter]

Very relaxing and soulful performance.

Dieter

[Author]

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