Solo of the Month (SotM) #36 - Chat

stratman3142 · May 2018

This is the 36th solo of the Month (SotM) Challenge and is being run by @stratman3142 and @TTony.

The challenge is now open, and remains open for submissions until 11:30pm on 23rd May 2018.

Here's this month's backing track (you can download it from soundcloud). Record your solo over the top of it and then submit it (ideally in mp3 format) to solos@theFB.co.uk

Also, feel free to comment on how you approached the solo, which will add a bit more interest and maybe we can learn something from each other.

Link to backing track here

https://soundcloud.com/thefretboard/sotm36-2018-05-backing-track-unknown-man

Discussion:

Something laid back this month, after last month's frenzy

The tempo is 83 BPM and the chords are below:

C Am C Am C Am Fmaj7 Dm9

C Am C Am C Am Fmaj7 Dm9 stay on Dm9

C Am C Am C Am Fmaj7 Dm9

C Am C Am C Am Fmaj7 Dm9 stay on Dm9

Am

The backing track has 3dB of headroom to add your solos. Add your solo and (as a guideline) try to avoid boosting the overall level beyond that if possible. That way the entries should be at roughly the same level and we won't get into loudness wars

.

Voting will start soon after the submission deadline of 23rd May 2018, with each voter selecting their 1st, 2nd and 3rd choice.

First choice gets 5 points - Second choice gets 3 points - Third choice gets 1 point

Voting will end on 11.30pm 30th May 2018

The order and scores of the top three entries will be announced soon after the voting ends. If there are 8 or more entries, then the order and scores of those in the top half will be announced.

No prizes. It's just for fun.

As people submit their entries, I'll post them below to hopefully promote some discussion on approaches used for the solo:

https://soundcloud.com/thefretboard/sets/sotm36-2018-05

bingefeller · May 2018

So when you import the backing into your DAW, say the track is set to 0dB, I could set my guitar level to 3dB for it to stand out?

flying_pie · May 2018

@bingefeller the easiest way to consider processing would be:

Set the master volume at zero dB

Import the backing track and leave it alone

Record your solo and process it according to taste. The track level may vary depending on how you record it, whether you use compression, etc. It's up to you to decide if want it to be understated or balls deep in your face (probably in between the two is best).

stratman3142 · May 2018

bingefeller said:

So when you import the backing into your DAW, say the track is set to 0dB, I could set my guitar level to 3dB for it to stand out?

If the track volume control is set to 0dB then I'd expect the backing track to peak at -3dB.

Just set the level of your guitar track to what you feel sounds right. There should be enough headroom such that the backing track plus solo will be under 0dB.

flying_pie · May 2018

Just listened to the backing track. First off I'll say thanks for taking the time to make the tracks and run the challenge @stratman3142. ;;; It's very much appreciated.

Having said that I don't think I've ever listened to anything vaguely close to this type of music. Ever. I don't even know what genre it might be. I'm unsure if I should use a guitar or a glockenspiel. I don't even own a glockenspiel so I hope a guitar will do.

I'm up for the challenge but shall apologise in advance for whatever bastard creation I end up submitting. Good luck everyone

stratman3142 · May 2018

flying_pie said:

Just listened to the backing track. First off I'll say thanks for taking the time to make the tracks and run the challenge @stratman3142. ;;; It's very much appreciated.

Having said that I don't think I've ever listened to anything vaguely close to this type of music. Ever. I don't even know what genre it might be. I'm unsure if I should use a guitar or a glockenspiel. I don't even own a glockenspiel so I hope a guitar will do.

I'm up for the challenge but shall apologise in advance for whatever bastard creation I end up submitting. Good luck everyone

I just hear it as a bluesy A minor pentatonic thing - or A Aeolian mode if you want to get fancy

Next month perhaps I'll go for full on rock.

ChrisRG · May 2018

Haven’t had a chance to listen yet but after your analysis @flying_pie I’m now intrigued (ok, more worried!!!). Sounds like I may need to nick my 6 year olds glockenspiel!!!!!

flying_pie · May 2018

stratman3142 said:

flying_pie said:

Just listened to the backing track. First off I'll say thanks for taking the time to make the tracks and run the challenge @stratman3142. ;;; It's very much appreciated.

Having said that I don't think I've ever listened to anything vaguely close to this type of music. Ever. I don't even know what genre it might be. I'm unsure if I should use a guitar or a glockenspiel. I don't even own a glockenspiel so I hope a guitar will do.

I'm up for the challenge but shall apologise in advance for whatever bastard creation I end up submitting. Good luck everyone

I just hear it as a bluesy A minor pentatonic thing - or A Aeolian mode if you want to get fancy

Next month perhaps I'll go for full on rock.

Yeah. I'd worked out it would be C major for those of us using glockenspiels.

Or A minor for guitars.

ChrisRG · May 2018

Result, I think my toy glockenspiel is in C!!

stratman3142 · May 2018

ChrisRG said:

Result, I think my toy glockenspiel is in C!!

Hmmm, I've spotted a loop hole. The instructions don't actually state that it has to be a guitar solo. Go for it.

flying_pie · May 2018

ChrisRG said:

Result, I think my toy glockenspiel is in C!!

Awesome.

I'm think my kids' toy keyboard has a birdsong setting which has a glockenspielesque sound quality... I wonder if it's got a line out...

bingefeller · May 2018

Sent!

fastonebaz · May 2018

Next month full on rock?? Hold my beer, i have some shredding to do!

flying_pie · May 2018

fastonebaz said:

Next month full on rock?? Hold my beer, i have some shredding to do!

Get on board for this one. It's 83bpm... That could mean at least 32nd note runs for you shredders ..

fastonebaz · May 2018

I must admit this month's one is tempting. I may give it a go.

stratman3142 · May 2018

flying_pie said:

ChrisRG said:

Result, I think my toy glockenspiel is in C!!

Awesome.

I'm think my kids' toy keyboard has a birdsong setting which has a glockenspielesque sound quality... I wonder if it's got a line out...

Well I suppose someone had to do it. This isn't my official entry by the way.

stratman3142 · May 2018

bingefeller said:

Sent!

Got it. Quick of the mark. I'll post a playlist as soon as I get a second entry.

flying_pie · May 2018

stratman3142 said:

flying_pie said:

ChrisRG said:

Result, I think my toy glockenspiel is in C!!

Awesome.

I'm think my kids' toy keyboard has a birdsong setting which has a glockenspielesque sound quality... I wonder if it's got a line out...

Well I suppose someone had to do it. This isn't my official entry by the way.

Haha. That does actually go with the backing track. Good effort

flying_pie · May 2018

Sent. No glockenspiel or children's keyboard used. Just a Telecaster.

stratman3142 · May 2018

flying_pie said:

Sent. No glockenspiel or children's keyboard used. Just a Telecaster.

That's 2 entries so far, which are in the playlist in the original post.

DulcetJones · May 2018

I'm going to start working on it later today, and I like that we have challenging, unusual backing tracks. Getting out of your comfort zone is a good thing to do now and then. Of course, the odd full on rock track is part of the mix as well.

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Solo of the Month (SotM) #36 - Chat

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