Where did Opus 2 come from?
I found myself recently inspired to produce another contribution to the “My Music” page of the Ocean Breeze website. Where this started, and what it became, was quite a radical metamorphosis likely not uncommon to the music creator. I did change up the key signature to Eb as it fit the mood of solitude this piece exudes a bit better than my favorite key of Bb.
What is Journey Above The Clouds about?
Again the metamorphosis of this one was creatively interesting. It BECAME a song about hiking/backpacking. The instruments chosen, the musical progression, led to this place.
One finds oneself often in bad weather on a hiking journey. In this case, imagine marching uphill for hours and a storm hits. This is not always a good thing especially when you get so wet your boots actually bubble. This is not unexpected, and one endures. Imagine hiking above the storm, above the clouds, and looking down upon them, now in heavenly sunlight. From my experience this is glorious. This is where this composition led, and hence was so named. I would love to hear if you can imagine this.
What should you listen to next?
If you like electronic music, listen to Made of Sky. If you like instrumental guitar, Modern Western is the one. My first composition, Opus 1 in Bƅ: Aurora Borealis, is the mellow one.
I hope you enjoy. Comments appreciated!
What Studio Equipment Was Used For This Composition?
- DAW
- Apple Logic Pro X
- Instruments, sounds, effects
- Native Instruments Komplete 13 Ultimate
- Thunder and rain
- Heavyocity Gravity Natural Forces, sounds Thunder 3, Rain Shelter 3
- Birds
- Reaktor 6, Speed Drone module, sound Birds
- Piano
- Alicia’s Keys, sound Init
- Choir
- Arkhis, sound Am I Dreaming
- Brass
- Symphony Series Brass, sound Brass Ensemble
- Bass
- Emotive Strings, sound Basic Ostinatos 1 Low
- Drums
- Logic Pro X Drum Kit Designer, sounds Manchester Kit Snare, Hi-Kat Open
- Effects
- all Logic Pro X: Platinum Compressor, ChromaVerb, Tremolo, Direction Mixer, Channel EQ, Tape Delay
7 Responses
Soundtrack material here. The horn play added a regal nature to the whole affair. It felt like a breakthrough moment in a David Attenborough documentary or it could have been that part in “Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes” where the Great Apes escape poachers by climbing a mountain during an electrical storm. I think that happened…
Nice stuff, though it made me feel underdressed, or under duress.
Bob – Underdressed? Duress? Hmmm. Maybe the description. Maybe the weather – ahhh – I get it! If I accomplished getting you to feel it, I couldn’t have accomplished more. Thank You Sir.
To my other Readers – That’s the Famous “Dead Bob” here again.
That was so beautiful, it brought tears to my eyes. The crescendos brought me back to my backpacking trip last summer on the JMT trail with its ups and downs, and final accomplishment. You are a very talented pianist!! Keep creating my friend and I will listen.
Lisa – Thank You! I’m glad you visualized that. I think it helps that you backpack. And again, if I can evoke that level of emotional reaction in you, it was worth every second and more I spent creating this one.
And to my other readers – Lisa is part of the Seattle Seahawks Posse! All my famous people are here today!
Brian this is beautiful.
When the the rain and thunder came in I couldn’t help think of Riders in the Storm. Which then made me think of yelling out Doors lyrics while backpacking with you. I could imagine the ascent while the rain came down. Really cool.
Looking forward to your next opus.
Thank You Greg! I’m glad you enjoyed.
Absolutely beautiful my friend! You are a talented musician. Thank you for sharing. I look forward to the next one!