What I've been working on... (v3 up)

[Pickles]

I mentioned something I was really happy with a while ago, and, aside from a couple mess ups in the recording, this is the idea that's been running through my head. I'm not a great fingerpicker, but I don't think this is bad.

http://www.purevolume.com/shaneathan

Let me know what you think.

Edit: Version 3 now up

[ut4ever8]

Hey man, you already know most of what I think. It sounds pretty good. Nice mellow tune. Still a few rough spots here and there but overall it sounds really good.

[Banjobach]

good shtuff. The way you play the open chords almost gives the illusion that you're in DADGAD. Reminded me of something Andy McKee or Don Ross might do (sans the slaps and fancy bullshit). A few areas are a tad rough but I'd say that's pretty good if you did all that in one take. Only critique would be that it doesn't have a memorable melody that carries throughout, but it would sound great as something in the background that doesn't rape one's ears like those whale soundtracks with all that clicking and moaning. So nice work.

[GreedylilPig]

Shane - very enjoyable to listen to. As already mentioned, a few areas are a bit rough while a few areas are brilliant. The rough patches seem to be timing issues (dead notes, not letting notes ring out long enough). Nonetheless, a great piece. Recording quality is great. What setup and what kind of guitar? Also, are you using a thumb-pick?

[Pickles]

Shane - very enjoyable to listen to. As already mentioned, a few areas are a bit rough while a few areas are brilliant. The rough patches seem to be timing issues (dead notes, not letting notes ring out long enough). Nonetheless, a great piece. Recording quality is great. What setup and what kind of guitar? Also, are you using a thumb-pick?

Yeah, the rough spots mostly because, for some reason, I cannot play well when recording. Funny how that works out. I've added a few more things to it since the recording, but haven't gotten around to doing it again.

As for recording - I have nothing extravagant. I'm using my Godin LGX (electric guitar) to record (it has an acoustic piezo bridge). Plug that into a 1/4"F -> 1/8"M adapter from Radioshack to plug into my Macbook Pro and record with GarageBand. Effect-wise, I just added a compressor and some reverb.

No thumbpick. Just thumb.

I'll try to get the newer version up soon. I'd love to hear what y'all think of the changes.

[markTR]

This has a lot of potential, wish I could fingerpick like you. Looking forward to a re-recording. You thought about lyrics at all?

[Pickles]

New version is up. Stuff to look out for:

-Added a part in the verse. Not sure if I'll keep it or not. It really brings out the key change.
-Fingerpicking pattern different in the chorus. A little darker sounding.
-Last part of the chorus is different. Again darker, added a m6 to drop it out of key a little.

Still, not perfect. Love to hear more feedback, including if v3 > v2?

This has a lot of potential, wish I could fingerpick like you. Looking forward to a re-recording. You thought about lyrics at all?

Trust me, I am not that good of a fingerpicker. Maybe it sounds harder than it really is.. I wish I could do more complex stuff with my right hand so I could make the left hand sound better

As far as lyrics, not really.. I was never intending for this to have any. I feel like the music kinda speaks for me.

[Pickles]

No one has feedback?

[markTR]

Definitely smoothed it out, good work. I really like the tone too. Nice piece dude

[TimmyJ4140]

Hey, I love it dude. It's stuff like this I could listen to all night long. Sounds very smooth, very few mistakes or slips. Also, I agree with not adding lyrics. The music speaks for itself. I'm that way a lot of the time, I do a lot of instrumental stuff on both guitar and piano, and I always hate adding lyrics because I feel like they'd detract from the song, so I'm left with a ton of instrumentals.

Edit: I can't decide if I like v2 or v3 better. It's a tough call.

[wkpggrvn2001]

This is good stuff Shane. Don't add lyrics to this, I think that would be a huge mistake. The music stands alone strong by itself.

After listening to it twice I wouldn't really change anything. Can't really point out anything that hasn't been said. Wish I had something to add other than good work. I would keep the song at the same pace too. Whenever I create something original instrumental or otherwise the more I tend to play it, the faster I start playing it without realizing it, not sure if it is like that for everyone.

[myxomatosis]

This is good stuff Shane. Don't add lyrics to this, I think that would be a huge mistake. The music stands alone strong by itself.

I disagree, what this song needs is some good Christian lyrics about how Jesus is the light of the world.

[Easy E]

[Pickles]

This is good stuff Shane. Don't add lyrics to this, I think that would be a huge mistake. The music stands alone strong by itself.

After listening to it twice I wouldn't really change anything. Can't really point out anything that hasn't been said. Wish I had something to add other than good work. I would keep the song at the same pace too. Whenever I create something original instrumental or otherwise the more I tend to play it, the faster I start playing it without realizing it, not sure if it is like that for everyone.

Don't really know if I sped up in the file I uploaded. Haven't listened to it since I was done with it, but definitely hoping to keep at the same pace. I played it live the other night at my friend's place (who was having an open mic) and I sped up because I was nervous. Thanks for the kind words though.

I disagree, what this song needs is some good Christian lyrics about how Jesus is the light of the world.

[sfmartins]

I really enjoyed it! As Banjo said, reminds me of Andy McKee.