<Pony><Swing><Vocal> a swing song about Octavia!

[Joaftheloaf]

What do you guys think?

[Sonarch]

I'm not really qualified for criticism as far as the technical aspects, but I did enjoy it!

[LunchBagMusic]

I want more of this. This is really good. Needs more horns.

Three issues stand out here:

1) (This is the most important) Bass lines. Swing gets its sound from the movement in the bass. You're just playing the root of the chord on each beat. Big no-no. Listen to Ol' MacDonald - Big Bad Voodoo Daddy and follow the bass line. It's almost contrapuntal. Arrpegios, scales, leading notes. A variety in a bass note adds movement to the song and spices up your chord.

Also King of Swing (Same Artist) is another good example in a similar style to your song.

Further to this: Your piano is too stagnant. Listen to the pianist in those two recordings and follow the piano as well. Octaves in the LH are also a big no no. You have a bass for the bass.

2) (These next two are less important) Mixing/Compression. Look up a few tutorials on how to properly mix your rhythm section to get a good swing punch. You wont need the kick to be forceful and the snare to 'pop' like in EDM or dubstep, but better mixing will add to the depth of your sound.

3) Finally, your singing. You've got the perfect tone and style for this work. Don't squeeze out the high notes, push them from your abs. Diaphragm all the way. Also practice singing scales (major, minor, pentatonic, blues) to help with pitching.


Good job. I want more of this on MLR!!

[Hangin' From A Cloud]

A nice change from electronic stuff . I don't know too much about swing either, so listen to LunchBag, he seems to know something ^^. Maybe the snaps at ~0:40 were a bit too loud, but idk.
Dang this was good

[Joaftheloaf]

I want more of this. This is really good. Needs more horns.

Three issues stand out here:

1) (This is the most important) Bass lines. Swing gets its sound from the movement in the bass. You're just playing the root of the chord on each beat. Big no-no. Listen to Ol' MacDonald - Big Bad Voodoo Daddy and follow the bass line. It's almost contrapuntal. Arrpegios, scales, leading notes. A variety in a bass note adds movement to the song and spices up your chord.

Also King of Swing (Same Artist) is another good example in a similar style to your song.

Further to this: Your piano is too stagnant. Listen to the pianist in those two recordings and follow the piano as well. Octaves in the LH are also a big no no. You have a bass for the bass.

2) (These next two are less important) Mixing/Compression. Look up a few tutorials on how to properly mix your rhythm section to get a good swing punch. You wont need the kick to be forceful and the snare to 'pop' like in EDM or dubstep, but better mixing will add to the depth of your sound.

3) Finally, your singing. You've got the perfect tone and style for this work. Don't squeeze out the high notes, push them from your abs. Diaphragm all the way. Also practice singing scales (major, minor, pentatonic, blues) to help with pitching.


Good job. I want more of this on MLR!!

Thanks! By the way I don't listen to much swing... like at all, But I was messing with a c minor scale and this was pretty much the result. Thanks for the input!