A piece inspired by the recent news coverage. Yamaha studio grand 2 of Nord Stage 2, recorded in Logic X.

D Minor Over Black Sea

For some time ago Nord released a new "Amped Electric Grand" sample. Got around to spend some quality time with it today, here's the result. There are three parts, first with plain sample with just a little onboard EQ and reverb, second part with added Leslie and overdrive, third part with chorus and auto-wah effects on top of that. I think this EG sample is really rich and responds well to effects, very nice to play compared to the original Nord Electric Grand. My Nord Stage 2 patch I used to play this can be downloaded at the Nord user forum: http://www.norduserforum.com/nord-stage-2-programs-ns2p-ns2pb-files-f15/amped-electric-grand-t6855.html

Edgy Electric Grand

Some slow moods for winding down for the weekend. Dared to put in a few bars of guitar, apologies for that ;)

Ebb Tide

Came up with this small track when testing a new gadget from IndieGoGo (a MIDI-over-Bluetooth converter by Quicco Sound that allows playing MIDI wirelessly over BT). Recorded in iPad Garageband, mixed in Logic.

Three-piece Impressions

I thought I'd start a new series, a weekly piano improvisation. These are mainly notes to myself, or a musical journal born out of plain curiosity to see where I'm going with my playing as I mostly play free improvisation when I sit in front of the keyboard.

These will be free-flow one-shot takes, played with my new favorite grand piano patch on Nord Stage 2, which is a split grand with a Bosendorfer grand on the lower end and Yamaha studio grand on the top end.

Impro #1

This week's improvisation around a simple Cm-Gm-Ab-Bb theme

Impro #2

An impromptu waltz for a change. Probably not the most typical time I play in (couldn't resist a short 4/4 bridge towards the end), but what the heck, holidays and all :)

Impro #3

This begs an explanation. I tried to capture the essence of a Finnish Christmas Song (you really cannot call one a "carol") into this improvisation, and only half-jokingly so. You see, the most beloved Xmas songs over here feature themes like (these are actual examples, no kidding) an orphan kid lighting a candle on her family grave, a sparrow representing your baby brother from Heaven, a guy visiting an old widow like every Christmas but this time finding a dark, empty house and a neighbor telling that she had passed away... I guess our history is still so close that the Christmas does not feel like Christmas without a tear-shedder or two.

Nevertheless, have yourself a very Merry Christmas!

Impro #4

A dirty, muddy Wurlitzer patch for Nord Stage 2, combines the original and new "amped" Wurlitzer sounds.

The patch can be downloaded from the Nord User Forum page: http://www.norduserforum.com/nord-stage-2-programs-ns2p-ns2pb-files-f15/dirty-reeds-t8312.html

Dirty Reeds

Another impromptu after a creative (in other words, too busy) break.

Impro #5

Rowan Rebirth

That time of the year again. Decided to try out the new electronic / hip hop drummers in LogicX to get a machine-like beat, like this old faithful four-stroke.

Mow Grooves

A meditative piano piece. I have had little time for making tracks lately, but I have been playing stuff like this every now and then, just to relax a bit and get my mind off the daily stuff. So I thought I might as well record and share these. Hope you enjoy!

Meditations

1st Meditation

Self-employed programmer by day, self-taught keyboardist on my own time. I mostly play free improvisation and other fooling around, but every now and then come up with something I might listen to again myself. Those moments I try to capture and share here in SC.

The Trailing Sundog

Pinned to spotlight