The Christmas Song

[rJames]

I always wanted to do an arrangement of this song. Its not in the public domain so its not an entry in EWQL contest.

But I hope its the first Christmas song posted at NS this year.

Christmas Song (http://www.DigitMusic.net/music/ChristmasSong.mp3)

[brasspig]

Very nice work, rJames! Not what I was expecting. Nice fresh look at a standard tune. Very creative! Keep up the good work!

[brasspig]

By the way, did you use Gold or Platinum for that? Any other samples?

[rJames]

Thanks. I used Gold only. Plus the Sleigh Bells were free from Westgate.

[brasspig]

Wow. . . that's great to know as I am installing Gold right now. . . can't wait to try it out. . . why must it take so long to install 4DVDs? :)

Great work. . enjoyed it!

D. Sorah

[dalamein]

Rjames

Sounds great! really nice full sound. Which strings patches from Gold did you use in the more flowing passages toward beginning, and what Reverb did you use in conjunction with Gold here?


Do some more Christmas I am enjoying it.

Dave

[Nigel W]

Nice fresh look at a standard tune. !

I don't know this standard -who is the composer, please? Is it really just called "The Christmas Song"?

Nice arrangement; I liked the strings/woodwind blend you got. I think we'd all be interested in some information on the articulations you used, and the mix.

Nigel

[js33]

Very nice sound and playing rJames. I admire orchestral works but haven't done any yet myself. What would you suggest getting for GigaStudio that is entry level orchestra but still high quality?
Also what sequencer do you use and do you play all the parts on a keyboard or do you compose the notes in the sequencer?

Thanks,
JS

[Tom Hopkins]

Sharmy,

A little extra info: Mel wrote the tune, I believe, in 1944 at the age of 19 - wrote it in about half an hour if I remember the story correctly. Nat recorded it in '45 and it became a hit in '46. You might be thinking of its re-release around 1960. A great tune. My first memory of the tune (Nat's version) is from around 1951 when I was about 3. Wouldn't be Christmas without it.

Tom

[Nigel W]

Thanks for the cultural info, Tom & Sharmy! I've heard the original, I'm pretty sure, so that must mean Ron did quite an unusual arrangement....nice.

Here in Germany everybody has their Christmas lights up since Sunday (1st Advent), often in the front garden......very romantic!

Ron....any details to be had ;-)?

Nigel

[rJames]

Nigel, since you asked twice, I must respond. I'm still quite a newbie when it comes to orchestral libraries myself so don't feel terribly qualified to give any tutorial information...that said, here goes.

I'm using Gold. I'm learning to use the library better at each piece I write. I typically use the keyswitch instruments to get the majority of the work done. And then Craig Sharmat (Sharmy) and ChristianB told me to use the spicatto strings for runs, so I started using them for runs and found their beauty for the (what I call) bouncing chords. I love them and overuse them often (as you can hear throughout the song).

I love the sound of the English Horn. So, I also overuse that in this piece. I've alternated the melody through the eng. horn, oboe, bassoon, flute and brass at the end. As I said, I use keyswitch instruments for these to get the greateest variety of tones from a single patch.

Then I've got harp and celeste and chimes to help the Christmas feel.

I'm not saying my programming is that good, since I'm quite new to it and its a study all in itself but my philosophy is "write to the library."

I try to use instruments and articulations that are available instead of trying to write lines that can't be played realistically by the library.

I hope to have Qlegato and mutes soon to add them to the pallette.

[Nigel W]

rJ, kind of you to reply! I think "writing to the library" is a perfectly good approach. The spiccato strings are really fun and perfect the way you use them. I listened to your piece again, knowing what the tune was, and enjoyed it even more.

I'm no Jedi master Orchestrator, but if you'll allow me some personal comments:I think the harmonization and orchestration is very good; what I would have liked even better would be a greater dynamic range: not just volume, but focus on the "handovers' of the melody, perhaps by pulling back the accompaniment at key points. Also, do you use much expression via MIDI or volume control in your mix? The Kompakt Player has some limitations in this respect, as you can only use the pre-programmed routings. All samples come alive in when you have more control over their dynamics, and I prefer to use Gold in Kontakt for the flexibilty it brings in expression. It will be interesting to see how QL is implemented, too, when it comes.

Also, the percussion at the beginning is refreshingly used; it doesn't come again until almost the end - i think a little more could be fun. Percussion is easy to overuse, of course, but the same effect can be achieved judiciously with glockenspiel or xylophone, perhaps, triangle, without bringing out all the "toys" at once.

thanks for sharing your music!

best

Nigel