The Circle
[A site for musical sharing and critical analysis]
Beta version 1.3

Here’s an idea I had about learning the fundamentals of a world music and applying it to more Western styles. I did it as a tutorial, but I’m quite proud of the results. The idea was to learn about Latin Percussion, which is represented in the first track ‘Latin Beat.’ Latin music, I found out, was based around a 3-2 (or 2-3) pattern on two short, fat wooden stick called claves. Everything else, including the trio of conga drums (tumba, conga and quinto), plays around the clave, leading into and out of the accented rhythm. From there, I applied the same theories to Techno, Breakbeat and Trip Hop, either mimicking the patterns of Latin music or using the instruments in an unconventional setting. Anyway, here’s the results. Let me know what you think.  
Latin Beat
Latin Techno
Latin Breakbeat
Latin Trip Hop

ImprvstnlExprmnt This track was written in a couple of frantic round-the-clock days. It’s actually for a Tutorial in Computer Music magazine, where I’ve pretended I know something about improvisation. As usual, it’s built around a single chord sequence that didn’t have a home (donations welcome), then added to again and again, then stripped back, then sonically butchered with my favourite plug-ins. On this score, please check out D-FX plug-ins (donations welcome there too) as I really dig them - plus they’re free. Anyway, some comments before Monday (Deadline day) would be most appreciated. Cheers.

FuckAroundSoundDrunkenness and new software. Enjoy. 

Removablefilterwater This second sketch of a track is based around improvisation. The backing, which repeats ad infinitum, is pretty boring in itself, but I then played over the track several times, with different effects. After recording over the track several times, I changed hats and started brutally editing the results. What you are left with is the ‘best of.’ I then moved these bits into appropriate places to give it some form and shape. However, I’ve found this technique is the best way of coming up with melody or harmony for a set of chords you don’t know what to do with. I often find a line will pop out of nowhere and then I try to sing the results. As Pat Sharpe once said, ‘try it yourself at home.’ 

Arbnplyphny This track was made in a couple of hours, in an attempt to play around with multiple plug-ins on ‘dry’ guitar sounds. I didn’t have my beloved guitar pedals for this one, so everything is done through Live. The drums and ‘piano’ are supplied by Reason. However, I’m lost as to where it should go. Maybe it should remain ‘as is?’ Anyway, this is my first post. Enjoy.