Where I make some headway with the drums and the arrangement
Tonight I wanted to try and write a new basic drum part, so I start on the ER1. One advantage of having grooveboxes is that you can just create patterns right on the box. In this case, it was more tones than patterns that I was after, and here is a prime example of how your mind is the most important instrument of all: as you will remember I started this piece by getting entranced by the wild sounds of this drum machine. Now that the tenor, so to speak, of the song has changed so much, I can't for the life of me get a single sound, except the hi hats, out of the ER1 that I can use at all.
Now is when having more than one synth is really a godsend. I call up a drumkit on the XL7, slap it into grid record mode, and in not too much time I have a very simple but I think effective bassdrum and snare groove. The XL is wonderful for this quick kind of sequencing, and someday I hope to really get much better at using its powerful internal sequencer. For the moment, I take the midi file out of the XL and right into the arrangement.
I take the basic four bars and as is my habit, I write small variations on each part, so I have some movement and the groove isn't static. I will do more of this later, but for now it will work to help me flesh out the song. Its also not out of the question that I will delve into the midi file stash I have and grab a chunk of a groove out of there too. Its like a stew: whatever I have that fits into the pot gets cooked.
Last thing: as I listen to the trumpet improv, I come to the realization that there is a perfect place to break into the 'B' section I wrote last night. I slice up the horn part (don't you just love digital audio?) and drop in the 'B' section. So there is no horn, no drums on this section, that will all come later. Its also a place to maybe write a vocal part or some other motif or phrase that will move the piece along.
And wouldn't you know it, now I am having some second thoughts on the hi hat parts...........but that can wait for the next session