Hi guys
this is for the next stage:
Here are the 2 links. They are both original recordings that I feel represent my musical style. I have chosen them as they contrast well with each; one is very upbeat and lively whereas the other tends to focus more on atmosphere and has a much darker mood.
soundcloud.com/james-daubney/horizonssoundcloud.com/james-daubney/downpourHorizons:
I wrote this piece back in 2012. It has a very rhythmic style and includes techniques such as “tambour”, “harmonics”, “slap harmonics”, “neck bends” and general percussive playing. The sound is intended to capture a sense of new beginnings, and endless possibilities which is what I was feeling as I developed the skills to use so many new techniques
The tuning required for this piece is D-A-D-G-A-D tuning. Also a capo at fret one is required to give the music a softer tone with an open and warm feeling to the sound.
Downpour:
Written in 2013, the focus of this piece is an approaching storm that eventually grows into a violent downpour. Starting with three unsettling chords really creates the atmosphere and tells the listener that something is coming (like a warning bell before a battle). Various musical themes drop in and out of the piece to develop the emerging theme - for example 1:03 represents light rainfall (an image of rain falling into puddles creating soft ripples) whilst 4:41 represents thunder and lightning strikes (as percussive techniques take place resembling rumbling thunder).
Essentially, Downpour is one large crescendo with an abrupt finish signifying a final lightning strike. Once again the tuning is in D-A-D-G-A-D and techniques such as “natural”, “slap” and “artificial harmonics”, percussive playing, “neck bends” and “finger tapping” are performed regularly.
Hopefully this combination of pieces will show how I like to make full use of the sounds that are possible from the guitar. It amazes me how similar techniques can give such a range of options and whilst I feel I have developed some skill there is plenty more to explore. It is important to me to take my motivation from a topic I can visualise and imagine the noise and moods that capture its essence so that I can develop the sounds by trying new methods or combining them in different ways until the right atmosphere emerges.
Future plans
I have been lucky enough to spend the past three years studying and playing with a wide variety of musicians as I completed my Musical Performance degree .Over this time I have learnt lots about guitar styles starting as a classical guitarist, experimenting with flamenco, ensembles and moving into a fascination with extended techniques whilst finally landing on the steel string for my preferred sound.
During this time I recorded a solo acoustic guitar album called “Horizons” featuring completely original material which I used as the basis of my dissertation. My plans are to now focus on becoming a professional musician, ideally as a recording artist and performer. However my main focus at the moment is to just get out and perform as much as possible accepting every gig I can find and applying for competitions (but not Britain’s Got Talent!).
My promotional tools are currently my website (jamesdaubney.com), YouTube (where I have just released 2 new videos), Sound cloud, face book and very recently, twitter. On top of this, I have business cards which I give out as much as possible and I also plan to start classical guitar teaching again.
Right now I am pretty flexible about where I perform. I have been playing in a wide variety of events mainly in and around my hometown (Swindon) and London. I have also played at weddings, in competitions, restaurants and bars (open mic nights).
This might sound a bit ‘freefall’ but I am really keen to give pretty much anything a go right now so that I can get feedback and audience reaction – both to my music and my performing style and presence. Whilst you could argue my music is fairly technical I do think it is visually unusual and interesting to watch hence my plan to keep things ‘broad’ right now.
What is important to me is to keep writing so that I can build on the techniques I have developed and maybe even come up with a few of my own too.
Sahmradh
I know the “Sahmradh” guitar would really benefit my music. Firstly by listening to some of the recordings on your website I can tell the guitar produces a very clear and resonating sound which would improve the quality of my recordings and live performance. I also noticed that some of the recordings are in D-A-D-G-A-D tuning which is one I use often as the guitar responds very well to this. Comments in my competition thread reveal your guitars handle harmonics very well too – a technique I am very fond of.
Put simply, the physical appearance of the instrument is stunning! Performing is very important to me as it allows the audience to enjoy the visual experience of how I create my music. I like people to see how I make the different tones and rhythms by using the full range of the instrument performing music that reflects the experience I want them to have. Having such a stunning and interesting guitar would be a privilege and allow me to show the continuance between myself and the instrument at its very best as I embrace it in my performance.
I hope I have inspired you like I know the Sahmradh would inspire me.
Thanks
James
Jo whoever he is.
