David Houck's project - working out some ideas

[David Houck]

Thanks Steve.

[David Houck]

I uploaded a better balanced version of the tune, so the lead line isn't overpowering the held chord as much.

https://soundcloud.com/dave-houck/opening-prayer-1/s-mLTpv

[Philip-M-Bass]

Sorry for showing up late, Dave,

Love the title & composition !

It was both soothing & encouraging at the same time!

everthing's gonna be alright ! we're gonna make it !!

Bless Ya, Dave !

[David Houck]

Thanks, Philip!

[edwardofhuncote]

Especially nice soundtrack for breakfast, camping in the southwest Virginia woods this morning, Dave. 

[David Houck]

Especially nice soundtrack for breakfast, camping in the southwest Virginia woods this morning, Dave. 

Ah!  Being an "Opening Prayer", I can see how the piece would be appropriate; and if the woods there this morning are like the woods here this morning, then it's a beautiful morning for spending time in the woods.  Thanks!

[rv_bass]

Very nice, David, I like the shimmering effect.  Is the piece based on something or entirely your creation? Thanks for sharing

[David Houck]

Is the piece based on something ...

Thanks Rob!  It started out as just improvising within a scale, learning its rules, and slowly the improvisation is starting to settle into a specific melodic piece.  And at the same time, it started out as an attempt to open with a held chord over which I could then play a melodic line.  So it just came together, if slowly, and is still evolving; though I think it's getting near to its final form.

[lbpesq]

Very nice, Dave.  If I didn't know the instrumentation, bass would not be my first guess.  How are you getting the organ-like opening chord?  The piece seems to beg for impovisational exploration, not unlike Dark Star (meant in a very positive way).

Bill, tgo

[David Houck]

... How are you getting the organ-like opening chord?

Thanks Bill!  It's an E major chord which then goes through a pitch shifter; I can't remember off the top of my head, but I think the pitch shifter doubled the chord by adding the same chord a fourth up.  Then the signal went through a formant effect, which added a vocal quality to the tone; and then the last part of the chain was a deep hall reverb which had the hold switch.  I think all of those effects also had EQ adjustments which kept things from getting too muddy.  It took me a while to get it all worked out.