AT 18 CD
The album producing process is dynamic, fluid and ever-changing. We want to open up this process to our fans and to others with an interest in music.
As such, as the CD, AT 18, is developed, we will show each step in the creative process. There are four basic steps in the development of an album.
Drawing above,
"It's Raining Music", copyright Ale07.
View Ale07's Art Gallery at:
http://ale07.deviantart.com/gallery/
Step 1. Writing the Songs.
Upfront, there has to be a basic song structure or framework created. The writing of a song may start with a specific theme and some verbal phrases. And it is, then, the task of the songwriter to craft an appropriate melody. Or, the writing of a song may start with a melody and it is, then, the task of the songwriter to craft appropriate lyrics. Bottom line, there has to be a melody and there have to be lyrics (unless, of course, the song is an instrumental) and melody and lyrics have to blend together to form a perfect whole.
Step 1 has been completed for the album, AT 18.
Drawing above,
"Sing", copyright Jesse Groenendaal.
View Jesse Groenendaal's Art Gallery at:
http://www.JGCREATIVE.org/
Step 2. Developing the Songs.
Once the basic structure of the song has been fashioned, it is time to experiment. This step requires that the songwriter exercise unbridled creativity. There must be no limitations other than those imposed by the structure of the song itself. We call this step, "playing with the song". It is a matter of teasing out of the song everything the song has to give, of taking the basic structure of the song and intensely examining all the possibilities. The songwriter must expand the song and let the song lead him or her down new and unforeseen paths.
In this step, amongst other things, the songwriter will take the basic form of the song and pour it into the mold of various song styles and patterns. For example, Song 2 on the album, AT 18, was initially written as a pop song. In the experimentation phase of this song, it was determined that the song would also work well as a county swing number. And with some minor rewrite of the lyrics, a country swing version of Song 2 was born.
Step 2 has been completed for the album, AT 18.
Drawing above,
"Music Is Life", copyright ExtremeSi.
View ExtremeSi's Art Gallery at:
http://extremesi.deviantart.com/gallery/
Step 3. Embellishing The Songs.
At this point, the song has been developed in large part. It is now a matter of filling in the gaps. That's not to say that there still isn't much to do, there is! The songwriter must now experiment with and add vocal harmonies and further instrumentation. Little embellishments to the song must be made. There are hooks to be written and fills to be created. For example, in Song 4 on the CD, AT 18, there are two measures at the end of the chorus that are clearly calling out for some melodic fills to be added.
Step 3 is in process for the album, AT 18.
Drawing above,
"Listening To Music", copyright KattyJL.
View KattyJL's Art Gallery at:
http://kattyjl.deviantart.com/gallery/
Step 4. Finalizing The Songs.
Much of the album producing process is complete at this time. Songs may still require a tad bit fine tuning, including some final clean-up before recording. But tracks are now ready to be laid down!
Step 4 is not yet in process for the album, AT 18.
LISTEN ON A SONG BY SONG BASIS TO EACH STEP IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE ALBUM, AT 18.
Coming Soon!
Drawing above,
"Tropicana", copyright Emma Mount.
View Emma Mount's Art Gallery at:
http://www.emmamountart.com/
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at info@tropicdunes.com today!