Awesome! I really love your work. May I ask what synths you are using? I'm just getting started with an old Kurzweil and Makie 16 channel mixer and computer interface with multi-track software. I have a long way to go, but the sounds you generate are warm and mesmerizing. I want to create rich strings a.k.a. Lyle Mays (RIP). Any suggestions? I won't be doing any video, especially fractals, for quite some time. It would be great to colab one day once I'm up and running.
I so appreciate you taking the time to listen, and for commenting. :)
I wish I had more analog gear like synths, etc to play with. Dreams for my future studio. ;)
For now, all I'm using are the midi sounds within Ableton Live, plus the addition of my vocals. Originally, I was going to release the track without vox, and then it struck me to add some, to balance out the digital with the warmth of an organic ingredient.
I'm excited for your venture into music-making. Good luck finding time for anything else once you get started! ha!
By all means, hit me up for collab when the time is right.
Thank you, Jacqueline, finding time can be hard. For instance today will be the first day I've had in several when I can flip on the instruments and have all the time I need for several days as I'll be caught up on orders and can throw myself back into it. The Muse is burning hot in me right now and I should have my first decent tune with this setup within a week or so. Stuff I've posted earlier is pretty lame, sound-wise, and my aim is to get those rich, warm strings, vocals and piano into something that kind of resembles what is bouncing around in my head.
Is it just me, or do you find yourself with an idea and you can't sleep until you have made it the best you can? And then after you publish it begin to think, "Dang it, I should have mixed that better, or added that sound or percussion!" ? Happens to me every time :)
I have a cousin who is also a musician. He lives in another state and we plan on getting a colab as soon as he repairs his studio that kacked out last year. I know I'm prattling on but when you publish something nice like this, it really amps up my drive.
I LOVE your enthusiasm.....!!! I'm thrilled to have inspired you, even a little. :)
I know I'm biased, but I do believe making music is the MOST AMAZING alchemy ever. LOL! When in the zone, creating or listening, time does not exist. Pure presence and swirling frequencies is the only known reality.
"Is it just me, or do you find yourself with an idea and you can't sleep until you have made it the best you can? And then after you publish it begin to think, "Dang it, I should have mixed that better, or added that sound or percussion!" ? Happens to me every time :)"
100%!! I'm constantly bumping up against the limitation of my current skill-set and the infinite pool of musical ideas asking to be captured. It's entirely possible that a song can never really be 'finished'.
But here's the thing- I suffered from paralyzing perfectionism for so long that the RELEASE of something imperfect now is more necessary and gratifying than continually working/tweaking/modifying something that may, at that rate, only ever exist inside my studio, heard by only my ears.
The possibility of dying with my music still in me is far more terrifying than sharing whatever "good enough" thing I've made. I aim for progress over perfect, for my sanity's sake. :)
You said some very profound things! Yes, time evaporates as one becomes immersed in a world of sound and imagination. I have small pinpoint lights that focus on only what needs to be seen, the rest of the world visually disappears as well. I even have some lights that attach to my hands so I can play in darkness and listen as the sound rings out into space. Playing in the dark quickly brings emotions to the surface.
But the most insightful thing you wrote is "The possibility of dying with my music still in me is far more terrifying than sharing whatever "good enough" thing I've made." That encapsulates the essence, does it not? My cousin says to me "Don't unveil your painting until it's finished." so I keep going back, listening over other sound systems (even a phone speaker) to hear things that are missed otherwise. One can become 'headphone deaf' by the third or fourth hour without break and lead to some bizarre effects. Eventually I feel exhaustion and must either table the song for another day (as I've done for many, many ideas) or let 'er rip and release it upon those who may or may not understand what I'm trying to express through music.
You're an astonishing woman who I am gradually beginning to know, and I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship. Cheers!
Thank you SO much, Dave. I'm touched!! Cheers-ing you back. 🥂
" I have small pinpoint lights that focus on only what needs to be seen, the rest of the world visually disappears as well. I even have some lights that attach to my hands so I can play in darkness and listen as the sound rings out into space. Playing in the dark quickly brings emotions to the surface."
WOW!! I love working in dim lighting, but these lights of yours are next level!
Can you provide me a link or name for the ones you use?
"Eventually I feel exhaustion and must either table the song for another day (as I've done for many, many ideas) or let 'er rip and release it upon those who may or may not understand what I'm trying to express through music."
I cannot tell you how often I will go through my files looking for a project to finish and am surprised to discover SO many well-developed pieces that I totally forgot about. Coming back to it with fresh ears (and hopefully not the passage of TOO much time) can be so gratifying.
THIS piece was one such piece. I rediscovered it on Sunday, added some vox yesterday and made a video and VOILA!
I usually rely on classical music for meditation, but I will try with your beautiful music. So organic. Patterns in complex music are fascinating. Does your piece highlight musical patterns with your lovely matching? It appears to sometimes.
If you ever need a very low woman’s voice, I am a 2nd alto (almost tenor) trained classically with a penchant for all kinds of music. I’m working on my Requiem for the World which will include parts for a full orchestra and choir (and yes, there will be kettle drums).
Thank you for that relaxing break. It was unexpected and therefore even more charmingly wonderful. 😺
Wow, thank you so much for this beautiful comment and your very generous offer!!
Your Requiem sounds INCREDIBLE!! BRAVO to you for embarking on such an adventure. I can't wait to hear it. I love strings, wood instruments, and choirs. 🎼🎻✨
I have to admit, I have no idea how I make what I make. One thing is for certain- there is never a plan- just flow. Being a musician yourself you know how magical the sensitivity is to balance, to harmony, to creating patterns that ultimately alchemize into a unified whole. It really is like channeling for much of the process for me. Pure intuition. 🤍
Well, since we’re admitting things, I have to admit there have been times where I have seriously questioned my very strict training. You see, intuition has led me to fabulous things in my life. When things happen organically, they tend to work smoother, and have better results. Plus, I’m too much of a pain in the butt, too much of a character to survive in classical music.
We may have come from different musical backgrounds, but I can tell that you truly love music as much as I do. That’s what matters…it’s also why I made the offer.
Finding the balance between knowledge/technique/skill and surrendering to flow is key in order to access and express from places beyond the mind....
I seldom bemoan my lack of advanced training, but do wish to gain more production skills in order to engineer the best possible expression of my musical ideas. It's incredibly daunting- EQ, compression, side-chaining, etc- not to mention the millions of plug-ins, effects, and all the hard/soft gear. I just do what I do the best I can, and strive to find more peace & joy than frustration in the creative process. Enough to just keep MAKING!!
"We may have come from different musical backgrounds, but I can tell that you truly love music as much as I do. That’s what matters…it’s also why I made the offer."
I'm smiling upon reading this. :) It's absolutely true. And bodes well for a possible future collaborative endeavour......✨💖🎶
Oooh Jacqueline! I love it! Sound and imagery. A bit of Pink Floyd meets mother mystery. The wind was moaning a humming secret of being. I wanted to pop this on the turntable and play it backwards! ✨ 🙏❤️
beautiful expression of you Jacqueline. some of the circular spirals remind me of your drawings, and what seem to be the Mandelbrot set, the never ending story of US, of all.
Swooooty.
Ha! You're swooty. 😘
🥰
Awesome! I really love your work. May I ask what synths you are using? I'm just getting started with an old Kurzweil and Makie 16 channel mixer and computer interface with multi-track software. I have a long way to go, but the sounds you generate are warm and mesmerizing. I want to create rich strings a.k.a. Lyle Mays (RIP). Any suggestions? I won't be doing any video, especially fractals, for quite some time. It would be great to colab one day once I'm up and running.
Hey Dave!
I so appreciate you taking the time to listen, and for commenting. :)
I wish I had more analog gear like synths, etc to play with. Dreams for my future studio. ;)
For now, all I'm using are the midi sounds within Ableton Live, plus the addition of my vocals. Originally, I was going to release the track without vox, and then it struck me to add some, to balance out the digital with the warmth of an organic ingredient.
I'm excited for your venture into music-making. Good luck finding time for anything else once you get started! ha!
By all means, hit me up for collab when the time is right.
Thank you, Jacqueline, finding time can be hard. For instance today will be the first day I've had in several when I can flip on the instruments and have all the time I need for several days as I'll be caught up on orders and can throw myself back into it. The Muse is burning hot in me right now and I should have my first decent tune with this setup within a week or so. Stuff I've posted earlier is pretty lame, sound-wise, and my aim is to get those rich, warm strings, vocals and piano into something that kind of resembles what is bouncing around in my head.
Is it just me, or do you find yourself with an idea and you can't sleep until you have made it the best you can? And then after you publish it begin to think, "Dang it, I should have mixed that better, or added that sound or percussion!" ? Happens to me every time :)
I have a cousin who is also a musician. He lives in another state and we plan on getting a colab as soon as he repairs his studio that kacked out last year. I know I'm prattling on but when you publish something nice like this, it really amps up my drive.
I LOVE your enthusiasm.....!!! I'm thrilled to have inspired you, even a little. :)
I know I'm biased, but I do believe making music is the MOST AMAZING alchemy ever. LOL! When in the zone, creating or listening, time does not exist. Pure presence and swirling frequencies is the only known reality.
"Is it just me, or do you find yourself with an idea and you can't sleep until you have made it the best you can? And then after you publish it begin to think, "Dang it, I should have mixed that better, or added that sound or percussion!" ? Happens to me every time :)"
100%!! I'm constantly bumping up against the limitation of my current skill-set and the infinite pool of musical ideas asking to be captured. It's entirely possible that a song can never really be 'finished'.
But here's the thing- I suffered from paralyzing perfectionism for so long that the RELEASE of something imperfect now is more necessary and gratifying than continually working/tweaking/modifying something that may, at that rate, only ever exist inside my studio, heard by only my ears.
The possibility of dying with my music still in me is far more terrifying than sharing whatever "good enough" thing I've made. I aim for progress over perfect, for my sanity's sake. :)
You said some very profound things! Yes, time evaporates as one becomes immersed in a world of sound and imagination. I have small pinpoint lights that focus on only what needs to be seen, the rest of the world visually disappears as well. I even have some lights that attach to my hands so I can play in darkness and listen as the sound rings out into space. Playing in the dark quickly brings emotions to the surface.
But the most insightful thing you wrote is "The possibility of dying with my music still in me is far more terrifying than sharing whatever "good enough" thing I've made." That encapsulates the essence, does it not? My cousin says to me "Don't unveil your painting until it's finished." so I keep going back, listening over other sound systems (even a phone speaker) to hear things that are missed otherwise. One can become 'headphone deaf' by the third or fourth hour without break and lead to some bizarre effects. Eventually I feel exhaustion and must either table the song for another day (as I've done for many, many ideas) or let 'er rip and release it upon those who may or may not understand what I'm trying to express through music.
You're an astonishing woman who I am gradually beginning to know, and I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship. Cheers!
Thank you SO much, Dave. I'm touched!! Cheers-ing you back. 🥂
" I have small pinpoint lights that focus on only what needs to be seen, the rest of the world visually disappears as well. I even have some lights that attach to my hands so I can play in darkness and listen as the sound rings out into space. Playing in the dark quickly brings emotions to the surface."
WOW!! I love working in dim lighting, but these lights of yours are next level!
Can you provide me a link or name for the ones you use?
"Eventually I feel exhaustion and must either table the song for another day (as I've done for many, many ideas) or let 'er rip and release it upon those who may or may not understand what I'm trying to express through music."
I cannot tell you how often I will go through my files looking for a project to finish and am surprised to discover SO many well-developed pieces that I totally forgot about. Coming back to it with fresh ears (and hopefully not the passage of TOO much time) can be so gratifying.
THIS piece was one such piece. I rediscovered it on Sunday, added some vox yesterday and made a video and VOILA!
Love the play on words in the title. Love the music also ....
Had to reference one of my fave musical projects EVER! ;)
Thank you for listening, my friend...xo
Right on. Good stuff!
Was it Shakespeare (whoever THAT is! ;) who originally coined the term "this mortal coil"?
To "shuffle off this mortal coil" comes from HAMLET's famous "to be or not to be" soliloquy ... (Former English Teacher Nerd Alert)
AHA!! Yes!! I could have looked it up but I prefer to tap into my organic network of nerds. ;)
universal soul food
Thank you, Michelle. I love that!! 🙏✨
I usually rely on classical music for meditation, but I will try with your beautiful music. So organic. Patterns in complex music are fascinating. Does your piece highlight musical patterns with your lovely matching? It appears to sometimes.
If you ever need a very low woman’s voice, I am a 2nd alto (almost tenor) trained classically with a penchant for all kinds of music. I’m working on my Requiem for the World which will include parts for a full orchestra and choir (and yes, there will be kettle drums).
Thank you for that relaxing break. It was unexpected and therefore even more charmingly wonderful. 😺
Wow, thank you so much for this beautiful comment and your very generous offer!!
Your Requiem sounds INCREDIBLE!! BRAVO to you for embarking on such an adventure. I can't wait to hear it. I love strings, wood instruments, and choirs. 🎼🎻✨
I have to admit, I have no idea how I make what I make. One thing is for certain- there is never a plan- just flow. Being a musician yourself you know how magical the sensitivity is to balance, to harmony, to creating patterns that ultimately alchemize into a unified whole. It really is like channeling for much of the process for me. Pure intuition. 🤍
Well, since we’re admitting things, I have to admit there have been times where I have seriously questioned my very strict training. You see, intuition has led me to fabulous things in my life. When things happen organically, they tend to work smoother, and have better results. Plus, I’m too much of a pain in the butt, too much of a character to survive in classical music.
We may have come from different musical backgrounds, but I can tell that you truly love music as much as I do. That’s what matters…it’s also why I made the offer.
Sending lovely swirling melodies your way.
Ha! Isn't that the rub with most schooling? ;)
Finding the balance between knowledge/technique/skill and surrendering to flow is key in order to access and express from places beyond the mind....
I seldom bemoan my lack of advanced training, but do wish to gain more production skills in order to engineer the best possible expression of my musical ideas. It's incredibly daunting- EQ, compression, side-chaining, etc- not to mention the millions of plug-ins, effects, and all the hard/soft gear. I just do what I do the best I can, and strive to find more peace & joy than frustration in the creative process. Enough to just keep MAKING!!
"We may have come from different musical backgrounds, but I can tell that you truly love music as much as I do. That’s what matters…it’s also why I made the offer."
I'm smiling upon reading this. :) It's absolutely true. And bodes well for a possible future collaborative endeavour......✨💖🎶
An auspicious beginning, indeed.
Oooh Jacqueline! I love it! Sound and imagery. A bit of Pink Floyd meets mother mystery. The wind was moaning a humming secret of being. I wanted to pop this on the turntable and play it backwards! ✨ 🙏❤️
Awww...thank you so much, Jamie. LOL!! "play it backwards"!!
Thank you for embarking on the experience and, as always, translating it into poetry. :)
beautiful expression of you Jacqueline. some of the circular spirals remind me of your drawings, and what seem to be the Mandelbrot set, the never ending story of US, of all.
Thank you, my beautiful soul sister!! ✨❤️🎵
Completely gorgeous.
I'm soooo pleased you find it so, my friend!✨💖🎶
Thank U... 🧬🎶🎶🎶
You are so welcome. 🎵🤍✨
Its always a special to listen to your music Jacqueline, what a treat today. ✨🤗💜
Awww...what a beautiful thing to say, Charlotte!! I'm thrilled you feel that way. 🥰