Hi guys, John here. Again, thank's Justin for taking the time offering great advice. Very much appreciated! I especially take the tips regarding dynamics to heart as that is the hardest to replicate in a home studio setting by yourself when your used to work that out together with a band. But everything you point out is useful and will be tested :) That's also why I feel it's important to preserve what is still happening in Nashville with live musicians recording together in a room. Also, thank's to all who offers advice and cheers in the comments. Much appreciated. Cheers
Hey, John, I accidently listened to your song on 1.25 speed and I really think you ought to consider speeding the song up a bump or two as it is probably possible to make it somewhat groovier without losing the monotony I guess you strive for. (I often record the skeleton of the song guitars down to drums just to be able to listen to a rough version at different speeds before I decide on arrangements and stuff, so that's a tip from a fellow songwriter if you don't already do that.)
These reaction videos to submitted songs are great-- incredibly useful for amateur songwriters everywhere. Very few if any music channels doing stuff like this.
The idea of providing songwriting feedback/constructive criticism in a youtube video format really makes me want to get off my ass and start a channel. This is really valuable for the legions of basement songwriters out there. Thanks boss!
Just want to thank you Justin for you taking your time helping us all out with your videos. And great to see you helping out another Swede (I am from Sweden too) with your constructive ideas! I think you gave him great ideas for his song and I totally agree with your thoughts. Maybe that will help me hearing his song a little bit clearer. Great song!
Very Nick Cave feel with an old-school vibe. The swirly guitars are very cool. Justin you approach these with such grace and professionalism. Not every song is a hit not every artist is a mega star. He has something to say and your feed back will help him find the audience he is looking for. Love these videos. Big thumbs up
This song has a killer psych-rock vibe reminiscent of the Black Angels (or any band with “Black” in title, really). The hypnotic drone is an essential part of the genre, so I get what he’s going for. I’d recommend taking a close listen to those bands to see how they manage to keep the listener from getting bored with relatively minimal harmonic changes. Thanks Justin for sharing this - as a fellow singer, songwriter and guitarist I really love this series. I also find it interesting that both songs you shared have no real place in the current popular music market…we rarely hear electric guitar on anything but country songs these days.
Thank You Justin for doing what You are doing!!! You are so inspiring, and I want to add You are very good at what You do. Thanks for sharing your talent with us❤
This is a great insight into someone who is a professional musician teaching and helping others be better musicians! This is great, keep up the great work Justin! This is my new favorite RUclips channel. Looks ve it man!
Awesome episode once again! Great song and great riffs. The overall vibe and the vocals remind me a lot of Black Rebel Motorcycle Club and all the bands from that scene. Alternative rock with a psychedelic tinge. I would never have associated this song with Nashville but I think our Swedish friend is right, the result can be convincing.
As ever what a great idea for videos ! Hey you know all these guys ‘john thank you’ so good to hear critique, this is great content and you just sent a great piece that can help us, its a cool track. Thanks to you and of coarse Justine for reviewing this which is awesome.
Justin your first class 💯, as for the song. I really dug it and definitely got that 70’s - 80’s vibe listening to it. I agree with tightening things up in the verses. I could barely hear the words due to so much going on but I still liked it just want to hear the storyline more. Definitely got something in the song it just needs refined some. All in all keep on keeping on your on the right track 💯 and would love to hear the revised version if one comes out.✊🏼🤙🏼
These videos are incredibly useful to someone like me who is just building the nerve to start making original material (just for funsies, no aspirations of putting a lot of music out). So that's feed back for you Justin. The song- as an abject novice I agree with Justin's feedback. I like the general tone/feel of the vocal, it reminds me of a 80's emo/metalish band that I can't seem to name right now- it's a cool vibe. It might be cool to bring some other instruments into the mix to mix up the repetitive nature of the song. Just add another texture besides guitar, ya know?
Great ear and very strong understanding of song dynamics. Cool song, sometimes guitarist love a riff so much and play it throughout the song. Sometimes simplifying or pulling back ties everything together(harder than it sounds)
I think this song is really cool! I agree with Justin on the ideas for changes… this song offers so much flexibility to tweak and build in some more dynamics, which would make it so much fun for a session player to explore. I definitely would love to hear a spacey vocal effect in chorus. I could go on and on… the more I think about it, the more excited I am hear what comes of it! Great stuff! Really cool song and a great vid!
Another great episode. It definitely remindes me of Black Rebel Motorcycle Club. Great effort on GarageBand and putting it all together. I can't add any more that what Justin commented on. His ideas for changing the chords just a bit on the chorus and adding a bit of dynamics were spot on and I for one would be very excited to flesh it out with the rest of the band during production.
Love your videos on song structure. So good! Love your comments on this song. They are spot on! He has some great musical ideas. He just needs a better song structure.
John - cool song mate, ive never been able to make a break with wordy speech fx work. It takes more effort than it sounds like its taken lol. Justin - again thank you for another vid full of great advice, that i can use in my music
Wow this video is solid gold. Love hearing production ideas coming from someone working in Nashville. The ideas you had to create dynamics and interest in the song were great. Little things like taking the riff out of some parts and adding it as a turnaround after the chorus. Such a great idea. I imagine there's a bunch of bedroom song writers like myself that absolutely love this kind of content. Really hope you continue this video series!
Very cool riff and overall vibe in this song - I also felt a very 70's, guitar-centered vibe. My brain went straight to Joe Walsh, and then the vocals came in kind of dark and monotone and it went a very different direction - almost a tinge of Love and Rockets...unexpected and cool! I dig it when something doesn't sound like everything else. Keep on creating!
@@MonotonesSE I can relate to your situation. I'm also a bit of a one-man-show living in rural Wyoming. It can be difficult to get an accurate gauge on your music when you're so close to it and so heavily invested in all of the parts. I would love some return feedback on my band's first original song we just released. My mom likes it...but I'm sure she's biased. :). ruclips.net/video/bahph_JdarQ/видео.html
@@Joe_Hunter Solid stuff man. I'm clearly in need of advice myself, but my two cents would be repeat the first half of the chorus "baby lets drive, leave it all behind" then do the twist on guitar and repeat and then end the chorus just once with the second part of the chorus if that makes sence. I'm not sure my english is clear here, and I can't like Justin articulate why, except for gut feeling :) Keep on rockin, and Joe Walsh rules. One of the coolest riffmakers ever!
@@MonotonesSE Thanks for listening man - I appreciate the feedback, and your english was totally fine - sometimes gut feeling is all you have...and often times all you need. I agree - Joe Walsh is a riffmaster. Good chatting with you today!
Please keep em coming, this is the second one ( I think ) and this is a musician’s channel for sure. Your suggestions are coming from apparent experience and very enjoyable to hear so I just wanted to say Thank You and when’s the next one coming out
Thinking about why anyone writes a song . . . to express a feeling and to get others to feel it with them, I guess. This track had, to me, a real hypnotic feeling. Put me in a moody trance. Do I usually look to hear a song like that? (who knows.) As the professional reviewer, you have been exceptionally positive and constructive. And of course you're on target . . . Nashville would be looking to make the song more "interesting" for a wider audience, a commercial objective. It then becomes a wholly different song -- a different piece of art. I'll be interested in how John feels about the input he gets here. Cheers -- TC
I think all of Justin input is relevant. And most of the stuff here in the comments as well. Especially regarding dynamics. I think most great music comes out of collaboration and the bouncing of ideas. 1+1 equals 3
These videos are so great! This guy's story is so much like mine. It feels great to know that other people are out there still trying to write rock. The feedback on these songs are great and general enough to be helpful to all of us. Thanks!
I've recently found your channel, it has quickly become a favourite Justin. Your videos are so interesting and your experience and musicality shine though. Great stuff thank you! On the song, i actually really liked the droney chug of that A chord repeating over and over. I wondered whether instead of chord changes, it might work to adjust the dynamics e.g dampening strings or stripping back the effects mix in the verses but going full belt in the choruses
Hi Justin , just wanted to say your content is great . I think what you do for people wanting advice is really cool , it's easy to see that you're a top shelf player , I try to soak up your info like a sponge , I feel it's valuable for people trying to put something together and get it (over the hump ) ya know , thanks .
Dude you are such a decent guy and your videos are so chilled and informative. Grounded and centred is the impression you give off. Great work man and it’s great for me to get an insight into a Nashville session Dude, Having played many sessions over the years i can really appreciate a true pro. Well done. I’m hoping to get over to Nashville soon to visit my very talented friend Fraser Churchill and do some co-writes you should look him up he’s a great song writer ( now a Grammy award winning songwriter, so proud of him. ) If i get over I would love to buy you a beer and talk guitars! 👊🏼
To be clear, John did pay for this. I do charge a small fee to those who submit the songs. Gives them some skin in the game. Helps me make time for this. And it also prevents me from undercutting producer friends who do this stuff for a living.
Oh yes absolutely but what you're doing is so great for upcoming musicians and players like me, I just play at church, kids after school programs(I am a special education teacher). Just really enjoy the way you explain and the constructive criticism you give. It gives me hope that people can still learn and appreciate constructive criticism from someone in the business.
I am more like the guys who'd ask for help than a pro who should be listened to, but if I had 2 cents, I would say the song in its pre-critiqued form would be a great 4th or 5th song on a record. That is a compliment. I know albums, records, and even EPs are fading away, but a good 'interlude' type song on a record full of other more harmonically dense stuff can be nice. But if this were a single or part of individual releases and it were mine, everything Justin said really resonated with me. Appreciate the writer and Justin both for sharing this. Truly is helpful to eavesdrop. No need to respond to this... sorry for length. Want to be un-trollish and constructive.
Hey Justin, awesome channel and content! I'm a session guitarist and i've recently started doing the fiverr thing. One thing i've noticed from clients' songs is that they're often a big mush of everything, you can't discern the verse from the chorus. In my opinion, this song can actually use a pre chorus, and a whole other mood for the chorus because it sounds all the same, it is static but it has lots of potential. What I usually do is that i highlight the chord progression using some slight melodies, otherwise you can't really hear any changes! Cheers
Hey Justin, these are great videos! I really enjoy the perspective of a pro musician/song-writer giving positive critique to things. You could could probably spend a ridiculous amount of time doing this on your channel. If I wanted to throw a demo into the lottery for your feedback, how would I go about that? Thanks man! Keep it going!
These videos are great, it is funny, as I was listening I was getting the same ideas as you Justin about bringing the main riff out and adding a couple of simple chords in the chorus etc. But as for the song I like the dark vibe and my main comment is at least he is trying to be original and there are some great ideas in there for a demo. Watching your take on things is a great help even for old fogeys like me who have been at this for years. Arrangement is more than half the battle for a great song and it is great to see you teaching that for the love of it. Respect....
Two main thoughts. One, the vocals were mixed too low. Two, the guitars occupied a lot of the same frequencies. Feel and tone were great. Good luck with tracking and mixing other stuff. Skål!
Cool song Jon! Hey Justin, this is all excellent advice. I agree with you that addition by subtraction is an effective arranging technique. I also agree that some harmonic movement would help. I have heard songs with a single chord progression, with slight variations, that work very well. A great example of this (albeit a different genre) is Justin (must be something in the name)Timberlake's What Goes Around Comes Around. If you listen to how he stacks parts, and removes them to build excitement, you'll see that it can be done with a single chord progression. However, it might be more challenging on a single chord. As a fellow songwriter, I would like to pass along some advice that I have received. At the end of the day, before anything else, YOU have to be happy with the outcome, with no disclaimers, caveats or reservations. It's a statement. This is who I am! No apologies. Your music is worth of giving it the best you can give it. If that means hiring a good producer like Justin, then you should, even if it means saving up for a year to make that happen. I'm definitely debt averse. Credit is the axis of evil. Some day, I might even take that advice. 🤣 (just kidding) Anyway, good luck with your project.
I got the Ted Nugent Strangle Hold vibe from this. I’d be tempted to explore that. As much as I agree with everything you’ve said. I don’t hear radio single in it I hear B side or album track. I went and looked up Strangle Hold and it’s pretty much 8 minutes of the same riff. Gotta love classic rock lol.
A harmonic variation for verse and/or chorus, experiment with a Dm/A where it fits, fingered like this x.0.3.2.3.x (those characters are string fret numbers low to high, for example a cowboy C chord would be x.3.2.0.1.0). That chord is dark, known as the minor four chord or iv, and with the A bass is still grounded to the tonality, and it fits the mood.
Wow, what a great sounding ES-335, Justin! Good sounding track but, as you say, some dynamic/harmonic variation could be useful (Although JJ Cale seemed to get a good amount of mileage out of single chord productions 😬). The fade seems to need to be a bit less abrupt, also. The actual fade-point can be very important to the perceived satisfaction of the listener.
Fantastic bones to the song. Agree with everything mentioned in video. Need to push vocals forward in the mix/pull back guitars on verse. Perhaps a "high" guitar part later in the song to add interest. Kind of wanted a rise part way through the verse sooner. Maybe at one point strip it all back to bass and drums and then build it back up again. Or drop drum and bass, and do muted guitars, then bring it all back. Could a key change (not just chord change) later also add some dynamics? Feels like it could use a rattle somewhere. Solid start.
Great video again. I like this trancy vibe, and completely agree with your observations. What does it cost to have a song produced by you in Nashville? Is it something the average joe can swing?
Interesting. I kind of like and respect the notion of the one chord song. It's giving yourself a limit or rule and challenging you to come up with something interesting. Rubberband Girl by Kate Bush comes to mind.
Yes it needs arrangement work to keep things from cluttering the midrange. In the right setting the holding on the 1 would work for me. It’s almost the anti melody that makes it groove. James brown made a living on it. Great song and like these videos.
@@MonotonesSEI think you’ve got something with this song. A simple well played riff, some changes and not playing over the vocalist will work. You’re petty good. Keep it up.
I would also suggest in the beginning of the song, wait four bars before introducing the main guitar riff. It would help with keeping it from being too repetitive.
That’s a good idea, too! Instead of cutting the intro in half (one time through the riff), it could stay the same length but introduce the riff later. In Nashville we would call that “4 down 4 up”. It could even be 2 down 4 up, know what I mean?
I think of the song "Money" by Pink Floyd that has a repeating hook but then takes some unique turns to amplify interest including a blues changes and then a meter change from 7/4 to 4/4. I am guessing that a 3 hour session with a Nashville rhythm section must be somewhere in the $2-3K range including studio time. Is that right?
Another great video! Your advice is really awesome. Even though it's geared toward this particular song and this artist, your advice rings true for everyone. A lot of your suggestions help reinforce thought processes that I've been working on for a very long time, I'm 60 at the end of this year and I've been playing since I was 13. I'm really interested in what you said about how, if this was to make it into a recording studio, the hired musicians would start contributing ideas. How does that affect writing credits? Writing credits have always been a head scratcher for me. Someone put the song together but others offer ideas that sometimes get used. If an idea gets used, should the contributor get a writing credit? I'm really not sure how that works. Thanks again for such amazing content. The tune is pretty cool too. Can't really disagree with any of your advice. 🙂
@@JustinOstrander Thank you so much for your reply Justin. That's really interesting. Good to know. 🙂I can't thank you enough for what you're doing on your channel. The info you're providing is priceless! I'm learning something new with every video you post. That's a big deal for a guy that's turning 60 at the end of this year. lol. Old dogs can still learn new tricks. 🙂Thanks again, all the best!
If it were me, and remember that opinions are like @$$holes, I would strip the 1st verse down to drums, bass and chunky guitar. You could use parts of the intro lick inbetween vocals, in the verse. But I wouldn't use the entire lick all the way throughout. That would give the song room to build. I agree that the layered guitars in chorus 2 work well. I feel like the song needs more dynamic vocals and drums. Cool idea though and a great place to start from...
I think we have to differentiate between a song and the arrangement. The song is something you can perform with one acoustic guitar (or piano) and one vocal. And it should have all the elements of a song: lyrics, vocal melody, 3 verses, a bridge, a chorus and an supporting chord progression. This is called a song. Everything else, all the fancy stuff, everything the rest of the band is playing, is called the arrangement. In terms of song, what I heard in this video is just not there. How do you tell if the song is not there, or not? You grab an acoustic guitar, play and sing it, solo. If it doesn't sound like a hit at that stage, don't go into the studio because you're just, and I hate to say it, putting gold leaf on a poop. Sir. Paul McCartney's songs were so damn good, you could, and can, perform them a capella and they sound like billboard number 1 hits, and 21 one of his songs were. Song first, arrangement after.
Arrangements can be a huge part of what makes a song really click. Not every song needs to be a hit before we decide to record it. I wouldn’t have a career if that were the case, lol. Also, songs serve different and varied purposes, have different meanings, some with a wider appeal, some with a more niche appeal. It’s cool to do a genre thing, you know? Like movies or any other kind of art. Art is art. Pursue it and invest in it for whatever reason you like, not only because you think it’s a hit at the worktape stage. Thanks for your input. Cheers!
I just paused the video to listen to the song before I hear Justin's feedback. So in obnoxious teacher's pet mode, I submit my constructive thoughts about the track. (Full disclosure, I teach music for a living ). - Focus on vocals and groove (drums, bass, rhythm guitar) first. Make sure the song can hold it's own without the lead guitar - then bring back lead guitar. Decide where you really NEED it. I suggest as a vocal section ends bring it back in to carry the listener on to the next section. - The vocals in general seem buried, which can be an artistic choice but I think if you're end goal is to write a rock opera, the listener will need clarity in the vocals or they won't be able to follow the story. My fave rock opera is Jesus Christ Superstar (70s movie version). Listen how the instruments I introduce the themes and the provide a more supportive role when the characters interact. -I love the low, Nick Cave style vocals in the beginning. Listen to "Red Right Hand" and see how he uses the instruments to support the his vocals and by extension, the story. Good luck! I got to chat with a working play right once and the best advice he gave me was this. Everyone has great ideas for stories and songs. Only a few actually get them written down or recorded. Get to work! :-) 5:24
Adding on to Justin's point about how hard it is to write a "I Chord" song. It IS super hard to do, but I think I have a great example of a song that uses different textures to create "new" sections but without realli going to a new harmonic place. It's Bat For Lashes and the harpsichord loop functions very similarly to what Justin said about the lead guitar lick. Check it out! ruclips.net/video/SyEItSnVeUI/видео.html Definatly to listen to which instruments are playing and when. Notice how the bass and the timpani (drum) create harmonic interest through variation. Is it a new chord? Who knows? Pretty ambiguous but it carries the song to the end.
Yep, he has the bones of a good song. Mix is jumbled, can't easily tell verse from chorus IMHO. When vocals are on, guitars need be in back, framing the vocals. Bring the tempo up just a hair too. Could use a "quiet" section for variety, as a bridge.
Disagree. I see what he's doing: it's just too upfront and a bit wearing on the ears due to the lead guitar tone and mix. He doesn't want to turn it into a country number. He's composing more like straight ahead heavy Rock bands like The Leather Nun, from...Sweden who had a bitching drone-like character to their music and performance. 👊🏾
That’s totally fine. I do want to be clear-I’m not trying to turn it into a country song. If we were working on this together in the studio and John insisted to keep the one-chord vibe, we would explore other ways to help the shape of the song hold listener interest. I get the dark, moody, rock vibe; and I think you’re right on the guitars’ position in the mix.
For a self-produced demo, I think it sounds pretty great! John is a guitar player at heart and does the rest out of necessity as someone making music in isolation during the pandemic. I bet he’s got a better vocal performance in him, especially working with a producer, but for demo purposes, his vocal take gets the point across just fine. Cheers!
I can't tell you how important (or cool if you will) it would be to have a follow up mix submitted from the artists, IF they decide to rearrange the songs and re-submitted them back to you, AFTER your ideas or suggestions. "So let it be written....so let it be done" 😆
Nice to find a constructive, kind corner of the internet. Good stuff!
Right? Be the change you wish to see…
Hi guys, John here. Again, thank's Justin for taking the time offering great advice. Very much appreciated! I especially take the tips regarding dynamics to heart as that is the hardest to replicate in a home studio setting by yourself when your used to work that out together with a band. But everything you point out is useful and will be tested :) That's also why I feel it's important to preserve what is still happening in Nashville with live musicians recording together in a room.
Also, thank's to all who offers advice and cheers in the comments. Much appreciated. Cheers
Hey, John,
I accidently listened to your song on 1.25 speed and I really think you ought to consider speeding the song up a bump or two as it is probably possible to make it somewhat groovier without losing the monotony I guess you strive for. (I often record the skeleton of the song guitars down to drums just to be able to listen to a rough version at different speeds before I decide on arrangements and stuff, so that's a tip from a fellow songwriter if you don't already do that.)
These reaction videos to submitted songs are great-- incredibly useful for amateur songwriters everywhere. Very few if any music channels doing stuff like this.
The idea of providing songwriting feedback/constructive criticism in a youtube video format really makes me want to get off my ass and start a channel. This is really valuable for the legions of basement songwriters out there. Thanks boss!
Just want to thank you Justin for you taking your time helping us all out with your videos. And great to see you helping out another Swede (I am from Sweden too) with your constructive ideas! I think you gave him great ideas for his song and I totally agree with your thoughts. Maybe that will help me hearing his song a little bit clearer. Great song!
Very Nick Cave feel with an old-school vibe. The swirly guitars are very cool. Justin you approach these with such grace and professionalism. Not every song is a hit not every artist is a mega star. He has something to say and your feed back will help him find the audience he is looking for. Love these videos. Big thumbs up
Such a great idea!Pro musician gives advice to passionate artists.I have a feeling if you keep making videos you will be on uncle Larry's heels.
Exactly! This is very inspiring, helpful and constructive. More of this please.
This song has a killer psych-rock vibe reminiscent of the Black Angels (or any band with “Black” in title, really). The hypnotic drone is an essential part of the genre, so I get what he’s going for. I’d recommend taking a close listen to those bands to see how they manage to keep the listener from getting bored with relatively minimal harmonic changes. Thanks Justin for sharing this - as a fellow singer, songwriter and guitarist I really love this series. I also find it interesting that both songs you shared have no real place in the current popular music market…we rarely hear electric guitar on anything but country songs these days.
Thanks!🙏
That’s all I need is some real session musicians to bring my demo’s/songs to life!!!
Another cool video!
Thank You Justin for doing what You are doing!!! You are so inspiring, and I want to add You are very good at what You do. Thanks for sharing your talent with us❤
This is a great insight into someone who is a professional musician teaching and helping others be better musicians! This is great, keep up the great work Justin! This is my new favorite RUclips channel. Looks ve it man!
Awesome episode once again! Great song and great riffs. The overall vibe and the vocals remind me a lot of Black Rebel Motorcycle Club and all the bands from that scene. Alternative rock with a psychedelic tinge. I would never have associated this song with Nashville but I think our Swedish friend is right, the result can be convincing.
Thanks
As ever what a great idea for videos ! Hey you know all these guys ‘john thank you’ so good to hear critique, this is great content and you just sent a great piece that can help us, its a cool track. Thanks to you and of coarse Justine for reviewing this which is awesome.
A “breakdown” chorus after the bridge might help with the build to the outro… Great format, Justin! I really enjoy this kind of information.
Justin your first class 💯, as for the song. I really dug it and definitely got that 70’s - 80’s vibe listening to it. I agree with tightening things up in the verses. I could barely hear the words due to so much going on but I still liked it just want to hear the storyline more. Definitely got something in the song it just needs refined some. All in all keep on keeping on your on the right track 💯 and would love to hear the revised version if one comes out.✊🏼🤙🏼
I can hear some Black Rebel Motorcycle Club in this song. Great video as usual! Thanks Justin!
Cool Justin! & good luck with the new project series buddy 🤘🏽
Thank you, sir!
A very diplomatic and fair critique of this demo Justin.
It’s a credit to you.
I appreciate content like this it’s a peek behind the curtain and who hasn’t wondered. I could hear this song going more Pink Floyd !
These videos are incredibly useful to someone like me who is just building the nerve to start making original material (just for funsies, no aspirations of putting a lot of music out). So that's feed back for you Justin. The song- as an abject novice I agree with Justin's feedback. I like the general tone/feel of the vocal, it reminds me of a 80's emo/metalish band that I can't seem to name right now- it's a cool vibe. It might be cool to bring some other instruments into the mix to mix up the repetitive nature of the song. Just add another texture besides guitar, ya know?
Great ear and very strong understanding of song dynamics. Cool song, sometimes guitarist love a riff so much and play it throughout the song. Sometimes simplifying or pulling back ties everything together(harder than it sounds)
I think this song is really cool! I agree with Justin on the ideas for changes… this song offers so much flexibility to tweak and build in some more dynamics, which would make it so much fun for a session player to explore. I definitely would love to hear a spacey vocal effect in chorus.
I could go on and on… the more I think about it, the more excited I am hear what comes of it! Great stuff!
Really cool song and a great vid!
Thanks 🙏
Another great episode. It definitely remindes me of Black Rebel Motorcycle Club. Great effort on GarageBand and putting it all together.
I can't add any more that what Justin commented on. His ideas for changing the chords just a bit on the chorus and adding a bit of dynamics were spot on and I for one would be very excited to flesh it out with the rest of the band during production.
Thanks
Really like this learning and sharing experience. Great lesson, Justin. Thank you!
Great stuff. Thank you Justin
Love your videos on song structure. So good! Love your comments on this song. They are spot on! He has some great musical ideas. He just needs a better song structure.
As a songwriter, I really love these episodes. Great stuff.
Wow! Thank you Justin. This is very helpful. Much appreciated.
John - cool song mate, ive never been able to make a break with wordy speech fx work. It takes more effort than it sounds like its taken lol. Justin - again thank you for another vid full of great advice, that i can use in my music
Pure luck 😅 Thanks man
The info on song arrangement, composition and structure was awesome. from a guitarist perspective was great too
Great song John, this is awesome, I love it!
Thanks
Wow this video is solid gold. Love hearing production ideas coming from someone working in Nashville. The ideas you had to create dynamics and interest in the song were great. Little things like taking the riff out of some parts and adding it as a turnaround after the chorus. Such a great idea. I imagine there's a bunch of bedroom song writers like myself that absolutely love this kind of content. Really hope you continue this video series!
Very cool riff and overall vibe in this song - I also felt a very 70's, guitar-centered vibe. My brain went straight to Joe Walsh, and then the vocals came in kind of dark and monotone and it went a very different direction - almost a tinge of Love and Rockets...unexpected and cool! I dig it when something doesn't sound like everything else. Keep on creating!
Thanks for the kind words!
@@MonotonesSE I can relate to your situation. I'm also a bit of a one-man-show living in rural Wyoming. It can be difficult to get an accurate gauge on your music when you're so close to it and so heavily invested in all of the parts. I would love some return feedback on my band's first original song we just released. My mom likes it...but I'm sure she's biased. :). ruclips.net/video/bahph_JdarQ/видео.html
@@Joe_Hunter Solid stuff man. I'm clearly in need of advice myself, but my two cents would be repeat the first half of the chorus "baby lets drive, leave it all behind" then do the twist on guitar and repeat and then end the chorus just once with the second part of the chorus if that makes sence. I'm not sure my english is clear here, and I can't like Justin articulate why, except for gut feeling :) Keep on rockin, and Joe Walsh rules. One of the coolest riffmakers ever!
@@MonotonesSE Thanks for listening man - I appreciate the feedback, and your english was totally fine - sometimes gut feeling is all you have...and often times all you need. I agree - Joe Walsh is a riffmaster. Good chatting with you today!
I don't have credentials to critique the song but dang I had no clue Garage Band could get such great guitar tones!
Yeah, but he explains that guitars are through real amps and pedals, early in the video
Please keep em coming, this is the second one ( I think ) and this is a musician’s channel for sure. Your suggestions are coming from apparent experience and very enjoyable to hear so I just wanted to say Thank You and when’s the next one coming out
Thinking about why anyone writes a song . . . to express a feeling and to get others to feel it with them, I guess.
This track had, to me, a real hypnotic feeling. Put me in a moody trance. Do I usually look to hear a song like that? (who knows.)
As the professional reviewer, you have been exceptionally positive and constructive. And of course you're on target . . . Nashville would be looking to make the song more "interesting" for a wider audience, a commercial objective.
It then becomes a wholly different song -- a different piece of art. I'll be interested in how John feels about the input he gets here.
Cheers -- TC
I think all of Justin input is relevant. And most of the stuff here in the comments as well. Especially regarding dynamics. I think most great music comes out of collaboration and the bouncing of ideas. 1+1 equals 3
Chorus kinda has Jane’s Addiction vibes. Pretty cool to give out free tips like this.
To be clear, I do charge for this. Gives the writer/artist/band some skin in the game. But yes everyone who watches gets the benefit freely as well…
These videos are so great! This guy's story is so much like mine. It feels great to know that other people are out there still trying to write rock.
The feedback on these songs are great and general enough to be helpful to all of us. Thanks!
R n R will never die 🙌👍🏻
I really liked the song and the tips keep it up, great job!!!
Thanks
I've recently found your channel, it has quickly become a favourite Justin. Your videos are so interesting and your experience and musicality shine though. Great stuff thank you! On the song, i actually really liked the droney chug of that A chord repeating over and over. I wondered whether instead of chord changes, it might work to adjust the dynamics e.g dampening strings or stripping back the effects mix in the verses but going full belt in the choruses
Thanks
Love ya man. This type of content is amazing. You’re the only one hitting this. Amazing bro 🤙🏽
Cool track John. Kinda stoner rock vibe to it, once Justin's advice is applied it should be even cooler. 😎
Thanks
What a great concept for a series of videos! 😬👍
said straight into the camera, "there's a gong." 😂
Hi Justin , just wanted to say your content is great . I think what you do for people wanting advice is really cool , it's easy to see that you're a top shelf player , I try to soak up your info like a sponge , I feel it's valuable for people trying to put something together and get it (over the hump ) ya know , thanks .
You're tapping into a beautiful vein! Keep after that gold! Cheers Justin!!
Dude you are such a decent guy and your videos are so chilled and informative. Grounded and centred is the impression you give off. Great work man and it’s great for me to get an insight into a Nashville session Dude, Having played many sessions over the years i can really appreciate a true pro. Well done. I’m hoping to get over to Nashville soon to visit my very talented friend Fraser Churchill and do some co-writes you should look him up he’s a great song writer ( now a Grammy award winning songwriter, so proud of him. ) If i get over I would love to buy you a beer and talk guitars! 👊🏼
Fraser is awesome! We have worked on a record or two together. Please tell that man hello for me 🤠
Could you imagine if you paid for this great insight! This is such a great way to encourage and help others learn!
To be clear, John did pay for this. I do charge a small fee to those who submit the songs. Gives them some skin in the game. Helps me make time for this. And it also prevents me from undercutting producer friends who do this stuff for a living.
@@JustinOstrander Total win for me and very reasonable for the time spent.
Oh yes absolutely but what you're doing is so great for upcoming musicians and players like me, I just play at church, kids after school programs(I am a special education teacher). Just really enjoy the way you explain and the constructive criticism you give. It gives me hope that people can still learn and appreciate constructive criticism from someone in the business.
I am more like the guys who'd ask for help than a pro who should be listened to, but if I had 2 cents, I would say the song in its pre-critiqued form would be a great 4th or 5th song on a record. That is a compliment. I know albums, records, and even EPs are fading away, but a good 'interlude' type song on a record full of other more harmonically dense stuff can be nice. But if this were a single or part of individual releases and it were mine, everything Justin said really resonated with me. Appreciate the writer and Justin both for sharing this. Truly is helpful to eavesdrop. No need to respond to this... sorry for length. Want to be un-trollish and constructive.
Thanks 👍
Hey Justin, awesome channel and content! I'm a session guitarist and i've recently started doing the fiverr thing. One thing i've noticed from clients' songs is that they're often a big mush of everything, you can't discern the verse from the chorus. In my opinion, this song can actually use a pre chorus, and a whole other mood for the chorus because it sounds all the same, it is static but it has lots of potential. What I usually do is that i highlight the chord progression using some slight melodies, otherwise you can't really hear any changes! Cheers
Love these thank you !
You are so real, smart, informative and entertaining Justin!
Another great review video with tons of helpful suggestions for the artist!
Hey! I just recently found your channel, Justin, and it is great. Thank you for sharing your thoughts, ideas and experience with us!
First impression NY Crazyhorse or Buffalo Springfield. Also hearing Moby Grape- Jefferson airplane. WAIT! Its more Grape- Airplane then Neil
Everything Neil is on my top 5
Really valuable RUclips content! It's like a music composition class!
Definitely a 60's west coast groove
Great great great 😊 Thanks
Hey Justin, these are great videos! I really enjoy the perspective of a pro musician/song-writer giving positive critique to things. You could could probably spend a ridiculous amount of time doing this on your channel. If I wanted to throw a demo into the lottery for your feedback, how would I go about that? Thanks man! Keep it going!
My email is on my channel “about” page. Might need to be on a desktop or notebook to see it. I don’t think it shows up on mobile
Good Stuff. excellent post! 😎👍
These videos are great, it is funny, as I was listening I was getting the same ideas as you Justin about bringing the main riff out and adding a couple of simple chords in the chorus etc. But as for the song I like the dark vibe and my main comment is at least he is trying to be original and
there are some great ideas in there for a demo. Watching your take on things is a great help even for old fogeys like me who have been at this for years. Arrangement is more than half the battle for a great song and it is great to see you teaching that for the love of it. Respect....
Thanks
When the song started I instantly thought “Over now” by Alice In Chains.
Superb! Cheers 😎
got instant The Soundtrack of Our Lives vibes from the demo. also a Swedish band.
Heroes
This is realy interesting. I have played guitar for two years and I am 64 years old.
Two main thoughts. One, the vocals were mixed too low. Two, the guitars occupied a lot of the same frequencies. Feel and tone were great. Good luck with tracking and mixing other stuff. Skål!
I think working the guitar around the vocal would cure the low vocal.
Guitarplayer first and vocals by necessity ha ha.Maybe that shows in the mix😉
@@MonotonesSE vocals are good. Don’t be afraid to let them out front.
Scandinavian music hits different
Cool song Jon! Hey Justin, this is all excellent advice. I agree with you that addition by subtraction is an effective arranging technique. I also agree that some harmonic movement would help. I have heard songs with a single chord progression, with slight variations, that work very well. A great example of this (albeit a different genre) is Justin (must be something in the name)Timberlake's What Goes Around Comes Around. If you listen to how he stacks parts, and removes them to build excitement, you'll see that it can be done with a single chord progression. However, it might be more challenging on a single chord. As a fellow songwriter, I would like to pass along some advice that I have received. At the end of the day, before anything else, YOU have to be happy with the outcome, with no disclaimers, caveats or reservations. It's a statement. This is who I am! No apologies. Your music is worth of giving it the best you can give it. If that means hiring a good producer like Justin, then you should, even if it means saving up for a year to make that happen. I'm definitely debt averse. Credit is the axis of evil. Some day, I might even take that advice. 🤣 (just kidding) Anyway, good luck with your project.
Thanks a ton for the input!
I got the Ted Nugent Strangle Hold vibe from this. I’d be tempted to explore that. As much as I agree with everything you’ve said. I don’t hear radio single in it I hear B side or album track.
I went and looked up Strangle Hold and it’s pretty much 8 minutes of the same riff. Gotta love classic rock lol.
Great point!
Love it🙌
I like the track very much even how it is now. But i do get the changes Justin suggests would be even better 👍
Thanks 👍
A harmonic variation for verse and/or chorus, experiment with a Dm/A where it fits, fingered like this x.0.3.2.3.x (those characters are string fret numbers low to high, for example a cowboy C chord would be x.3.2.0.1.0). That chord is dark, known as the minor four chord or iv, and with the A bass is still grounded to the tonality, and it fits the mood.
Wow, what a great sounding ES-335, Justin!
Good sounding track but, as you say, some dynamic/harmonic variation could be useful (Although JJ Cale seemed to get a good amount of mileage out of single chord productions 😬). The fade seems to need to be a bit less abrupt, also. The actual fade-point can be very important to the perceived satisfaction of the listener.
Yep JJ knew how to ride out a groove on one chord !
Fantastic bones to the song.
Agree with everything mentioned in video.
Need to push vocals forward in the mix/pull back guitars on verse.
Perhaps a "high" guitar part later in the song to add interest.
Kind of wanted a rise part way through the verse sooner.
Maybe at one point strip it all back to bass and drums and then build it back up again. Or drop drum and bass, and do muted guitars, then bring it all back.
Could a key change (not just chord change) later also add some dynamics?
Feels like it could use a rattle somewhere.
Solid start.
Thanks
@@MonotonesSE When the song is updated, PLEASE post it so we can hear it!
Great video again. I like this trancy vibe, and completely agree with your observations. What does it cost to have a song produced by you in Nashville? Is it something the average joe can swing?
Email me!
Interesting. I kind of like and respect the notion of the one chord song. It's giving yourself a limit or rule and challenging you to come up with something interesting. Rubberband Girl by Kate Bush comes to mind.
Yes it needs arrangement work to keep things from cluttering the midrange. In the right setting the holding on the 1 would work for me. It’s almost the anti melody that makes it groove. James brown made a living on it. Great song and like these videos.
Thanks
He's trying to do a Tommow Never Knows thing by way of the Stones Roses
Very cool!
I liked the flavor of the song. I would’ve liked to have heard the singer better. Reminds me of ……a college dorm room late at night, 1971-1972.
Thanks
@@MonotonesSEI think you’ve got something with this song. A simple well played riff, some changes and not playing over the vocalist will work. You’re petty good. Keep it up.
I would also suggest in the beginning of the song, wait four bars before introducing the main guitar riff. It would help with keeping it from being too repetitive.
That’s a good idea, too! Instead of cutting the intro in half (one time through the riff), it could stay the same length but introduce the riff later. In Nashville we would call that “4 down 4 up”. It could even be 2 down 4 up, know what I mean?
What a fantastic video have a wonderful day also I cut my thumb when I was washing the dishes
I think of the song "Money" by Pink Floyd that has a repeating hook but then takes some unique turns to amplify interest including a blues changes and then a meter change from 7/4 to 4/4. I am guessing that a 3 hour session with a Nashville rhythm section must be somewhere in the $2-3K range including studio time. Is that right?
Money is such a great track!
@@JustinOstrander An amazing track!
@@JustinOstrander My first records we're the wall and dark side... ;)
Can we get a reaction/commentary to Blake Shelton’s “Neon Light?” The only #1 i can think of that’s on the 1 the whole time
Also hearing Alanis Morissette vibe
I vote for the solo
Another great video! Your advice is really awesome. Even though it's geared toward this particular song and this artist, your advice rings true for everyone. A lot of your suggestions help reinforce thought processes that I've been working on for a very long time, I'm 60 at the end of this year and I've been playing since I was 13. I'm really interested in what you said about how, if this was to make it into a recording studio, the hired musicians would start contributing ideas. How does that affect writing credits? Writing credits have always been a head scratcher for me. Someone put the song together but others offer ideas that sometimes get used. If an idea gets used, should the contributor get a writing credit? I'm really not sure how that works. Thanks again for such amazing content. The tune is pretty cool too. Can't really disagree with any of your advice. 🙂
Player suggestions, form changes, melodic hooks, etc generally do not receive songwriting credit in Nashville.
@@JustinOstrander Thank you so much for your reply Justin. That's really interesting. Good to know. 🙂I can't thank you enough for what you're doing on your channel. The info you're providing is priceless! I'm learning something new with every video you post. That's a big deal for a guy that's turning 60 at the end of this year. lol. Old dogs can still learn new tricks. 🙂Thanks again, all the best!
If it were me, and remember that opinions are like @$$holes, I would strip the 1st verse down to drums, bass and chunky guitar. You could use parts of the intro lick inbetween vocals, in the verse. But I wouldn't use the entire lick all the way throughout. That would give the song room to build.
I agree that the layered guitars in chorus 2 work well.
I feel like the song needs more dynamic vocals and drums.
Cool idea though and a great place to start from...
I think we have to differentiate between a song and the arrangement. The song is something you can perform with one acoustic guitar (or piano) and one vocal. And it should have all the elements of a song: lyrics, vocal melody, 3 verses, a bridge, a chorus and an supporting chord progression. This is called a song. Everything else, all the fancy stuff, everything the rest of the band is playing, is called the arrangement. In terms of song, what I heard in this video is just not there. How do you tell if the song is not there, or not? You grab an acoustic guitar, play and sing it, solo. If it doesn't sound like a hit at that stage, don't go into the studio because you're just, and I hate to say it, putting gold leaf on a poop. Sir. Paul McCartney's songs were so damn good, you could, and can, perform them a capella and they sound like billboard number 1 hits, and 21 one of his songs were. Song first, arrangement after.
Arrangements can be a huge part of what makes a song really click. Not every song needs to be a hit before we decide to record it. I wouldn’t have a career if that were the case, lol. Also, songs serve different and varied purposes, have different meanings, some with a wider appeal, some with a more niche appeal. It’s cool to do a genre thing, you know? Like movies or any other kind of art. Art is art. Pursue it and invest in it for whatever reason you like, not only because you think it’s a hit at the worktape stage. Thanks for your input. Cheers!
Sounds a bit like Black Rebel Motorcycle Club
I just paused the video to listen to the song before I hear Justin's feedback. So in obnoxious teacher's pet mode, I submit my constructive thoughts about the track. (Full disclosure, I teach music for a living ).
- Focus on vocals and groove (drums, bass, rhythm guitar) first. Make sure the song can hold it's own without the lead guitar
- then bring back lead guitar. Decide where you really NEED it. I suggest as a vocal section ends bring it back in to carry the listener on to the next section.
- The vocals in general seem buried, which can be an artistic choice but I think if you're end goal is to write a rock opera, the listener will need clarity in the vocals or they won't be able to follow the story. My fave rock opera is Jesus Christ Superstar (70s movie version). Listen how the instruments I introduce the themes and the provide a more supportive role when the characters interact.
-I love the low, Nick Cave style vocals in the beginning. Listen to "Red Right Hand" and see how he uses the instruments to support the his vocals and by extension, the story.
Good luck!
I got to chat with a working play right once and the best advice he gave me was this.
Everyone has great ideas for stories and songs. Only a few actually get them written down or recorded.
Get to work! :-) 5:24
Adding on to Justin's point about how hard it is to write a "I Chord" song. It IS super hard to do, but I think I have a great example of a song that uses different textures to create "new" sections but without realli going to a new harmonic place.
It's Bat For Lashes and the harpsichord loop functions very similarly to what Justin said about the lead guitar lick.
Check it out!
ruclips.net/video/SyEItSnVeUI/видео.html
Definatly to listen to which instruments are playing and when. Notice how the bass and the timpani (drum) create harmonic interest through variation. Is it a new chord? Who knows? Pretty ambiguous but it carries the song to the end.
Funnily enough, the song doesn't remind me of '70s hard rock, more like '90s post-grunge alt. rock.
I can totally see that, too!
reminds me of tom petty and the heartbreakers ...
How can I send you a song that I could use advice on?
Email me. It’s on my channel “about” page. Might need to be on a desktop to see it
Yep, he has the bones of a good song. Mix is jumbled, can't easily tell verse from chorus IMHO. When vocals are on, guitars need be in back, framing the vocals. Bring the tempo up just a hair too. Could use a "quiet" section for variety, as a bridge.
How do I submit a video….your email address?
Yep. On my “about” page. Might need to be on a desktop to see it.
Disagree.
I see what he's doing: it's just too upfront and a bit wearing on the ears due to the lead guitar tone and mix. He doesn't want to turn it into a country number.
He's composing more like straight ahead heavy Rock bands like The Leather Nun, from...Sweden who had a bitching drone-like character to their music and performance. 👊🏾
That’s totally fine. I do want to be clear-I’m not trying to turn it into a country song. If we were working on this together in the studio and John insisted to keep the one-chord vibe, we would explore other ways to help the shape of the song hold listener interest. I get the dark, moody, rock vibe; and I think you’re right on the guitars’ position in the mix.
@@JustinOstrander You are very generous and patient. ;)
Maybe I do😂? Country rock is awesome! Period.
Cool song. Sounds a little dated though and I think he is going to have to get someone else to sing it :/
For a self-produced demo, I think it sounds pretty great! John is a guitar player at heart and does the rest out of necessity as someone making music in isolation during the pandemic. I bet he’s got a better vocal performance in him, especially working with a producer, but for demo purposes, his vocal take gets the point across just fine. Cheers!
@@JustinOstrander cheers, I take you’re point.
I can't tell you how important (or cool if you will) it would be to have a follow up mix submitted from the artists, IF they decide to rearrange the songs and re-submitted them back to you, AFTER your ideas or suggestions.
"So let it be written....so let it be done" 😆