Preface
This plan is subject to change throughout the following weeks. This post is not a strict guide, rather a gentle, rough idea of the majority component of my project.
Song 1
The first song will ideally be the title track of the EP and should set the tone for the remainder of music. It will need to be instantly 'catchy' and recognisable, its main hook introducing the song and the EP as a whole.
I plan for the song to be quite stripped back, with simple drums, bass, guitar and piano (perhaps also a synth). It should focus more on rhythm than melody, although both should be taken into account, and should be a relatively upbeat song.
Details on the instruments include:
- Drums: I will use Logic Drummer with an acoustic drum kit.
- Acoustic Guitar: I will play the main hook on the acoustic guitar.
- Electric Guitar: I will play overdubs on the electric guitar and double-track the guitars where necessary for more power.
- Bass: I am not yet sure whether I will use an electric bass or a synth bass, so I will have to experiment when it comes to making the track.
- Piano: I can play in simple yet effective piano lines and chord progressions in empty spaces, and potentially during the bridge.
- Vocals: I will record the vocals, using double tracking and harmonies where necessary for emphasis.
The electric guitar and electric bass I can DI into the interface and tweak the raw signal. However, for the acoustic guitar, piano and vocals, I will have to research recording processes.
You may be asking, why not DI the acoustic guitar and keyboard when it is perfectly viable to do so?
Basically, because the default software instrument pianos sound terrible since they have no simulation of the sustain pedal. Reverb works to an extent, but does not provide the same exact response a real piano would. As for the acoustic guitar, it just sounds much worse DI'd than actually recorded with a microphone; in my opinion, the latter tends to have a 'toy-ish' sound whereas the microphone picks up the ambience and dynamics of the real thing. However, I will experiment with both methods as chances are it won't matter when the track is fully mixed and EQ'd.
Song 2
After the first fast, upbeat song, I want to make a more emotional and slow song revolving predominantly around the piano. The vocals here can be more free-flowing and less rhythmically constrained to match the song's increasingly raw atmosphere.
Details on the instruments include:
- Drums: Logic Drummer with an acoustic drum kit.
- Electric Guitar: Reverbed and delayed for ambience.
- Electric Bass: The electric bass could provide a more raw and simple sound than a synth bass.
- Piano: Main component of the song, playing an emotional chord progression while being rooted principally in Western scales. I may experiment with the Lydian and Harmonic Minor scales for parts of the bridge to incorporate the jazz element I aforementioned in my previous post, and I plan on having a key change somewhere throughout the song.
- Strings: As the song develops, strings can exemplify the more hard-hitting parts.
- Synths: Pads for ambience.
- Vocals: Soft yet powerful in places necessary.
Song 3
The theme of the first song can carry over into this one, with it being another more pop-centric and catchy tune. I'd love to use some reggae guitar techniques and funky piano/guitar/bass playing to make it memorable.
Details on the instruments include:
- Drums: Logic Drummer with either an acoustic or electronic drum kit (yet to be decided).
- Electric Guitar: Mainly just playing chords on the upbeats and funky lines in between phrases.
- Electric Bass: It is absolutely essential for this song to have a funky bass line.
- Keyboard/Piano: I will use either a piano or a keyboard, but most likely a keyboard. It will allow me to emphasise certain beats and rhythms.
- Vocals: Laid back and playful, but still relatively soft.
Song 4
For the final song on the EP, I want to create another pop tune but with rock elements. I aim to have a large dynamic change during the first or second chorus (think Basket Case but less punk). I think the contrast of two slightly dissimilar genres placed side by side could create incredible intrigue.
Details on the instruments include:
- Drums: Nonexistent until the buildup to the large dynamic change, then Logic Drummer with an acoustic drum kit.
- Electric Guitar: Nonexistent until the buildup to the large dynamic change, then overdriven. Will be responsible for fills during final chorus.
- Acoustic Guitar or Piano: I am unclear whether I will use the acoustic guitar or piano for the soft and sensitive introduction and first verse as both could provide a very solid foundation. The decided instrument could also cover an emotional 'outro' as the song ends and the EP comes to a close.
- Bass: I am not yet sure whether I will use an electric bass or a synth bass, so I will have to experiment when it comes to making the track.
- Strings: I will possibly add strings if the song would benefit from their addition, otherwise they will not be needed.
- Synths: Pads for ambience.
- Vocals: Soft and emotional at the beginning, becoming more powerful as the song progresses. I will be honest, powerful singing is by no means my strong suit, so this is something I definitely need to work on with my singing teacher.
Summary
The EP needs to represent a journey, exploring varying dynamics and messages. I plan to write mainly about real-world struggles in the more emotional songs, while keeping the upbeat songs more generic in terms of lyrics. The primary vision is an EP with a few songs you can put on during a sunny day, and some you can put on during an atmospheric night.
I before had a now-discarded idea where the EP would be based around a sample of an ECG (heart rate monitor), continuing throughout the songs and flatlining at the end of the last song. While an (in my opinion) cool idea, I know myself well enough to realise I would get bored following the same exact genre after the first week and give up.
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