So now that the computer is happy again, back delving into this song, or rather the refrain on it. One thing that can be difficult, is when you write the melody before the music - not a problem on the guitar, but it can be when you have to write the drums and everything else.
This song has a long and repeating phrase of 16th notes, and this gives it constant forward momentum. The refrain shifts gears, and actually becomes less regimented and breathes a little, and shifts keys. First I have to change the repeating pattern to match the key changes, but the driving 16th notes don't all make sense here.
I spend a lot of time tweaking these notes, to change the flow so it matches the vocals. The notes slow and get extended during the sung passages, and speed up during the vocal pauses.
I also keep working on the drums. I start in lots of cases with midi files of drum beats and modify them to make them do what I want. I spend a large amount of time trying to find a good beat for this refrain; in the end, I decide to simply use more of the drum pattern I have for the rest of the song, with some more tweaks.
So far I think I have spent maybe 4 solid hours, over several days, on the drums on the refrain, and they still aren't where I want them to be.
16th notes? Sounds interesting Dana, can't wait to hear it.
Drums can take such a long time, can't they?
Well, I hope it will be interesting!
Drums, drums! I love 'em but they do take forever, or maybe I am just too anal about them......