"Not much to say on this sad somber day."

That may be what I am emoting with this piece.

Sad Somber Day

A few years ago, the expression system in my Taylor dreadnought guitar stopped working. I replaced it with an LR Baggs Anthem, an acoustic mic and piezo pickup system.

I recorded a few demo tracks by plugging straight into my processor without much preparation. I really had no idea what I was going to play at the very beginning and had not written or played this song before. It was a totally improvisational moment where I just started playing and let it flow. 

The recording is far from perfect, and you’ll notice some finger slips. However, as I listen back, I still enjoy the song and might redo it someday. Enjoy!

Fresh Morning


This composition is titled "The Wandering."

I remember the night I wrote it. A major thunderstorm hit our area, causing a power outage at home.

I sat at the piano by candlelight and began to strike single notes, waiting for a melody to emerge.

And then it did.

Starting with a spacious A minor 9 chord, a soft melody emerged, with space between the notes.

The first section has a descending quality, while the second section feels more ascending.

It's amazing how a change in your environment can evoke different emotions and shape the creative process in new ways.

I first recorded this piano piece at my digital workstation, then later in class with guitar overlaying and accentuating the melody in places.

I tried again and again to add more instrumentation, but each time it felt like I was cluttering it, so I embraced the approach that less is more.

I sense that this composition is far from complete, as I am still developing a few parts. But for the sake of brevity and capturing the initial idea, here it is.

"The Wandering."

PS. This piece ends rather abruptly. Living out the adage "Done is better than perfect".

Sad Somber Day

Christian Wiles

Related tracks