Waves - ambient looping experiment

[Ferryman_1957]

This is my first attempt at my radical new direction. Instead of building complex, multi-layered songs, I am now going for much simpler things, played as much as possible live. I have been listening to a lot of ambient music so wanted to try that out. This is my first attempt, it's a short piece based around two loops I created with a "lead" over the top as the loops interact with each other. In reality it's just a small number of notes heavily processed and mixed together.

It's an "arhythmic" piece in that there is no specific structure or rhythm. I was aiming to get the loops randomly interacting with each other, but I didn't quite achieve that. It also explains why there are slight discords in places, because the "lead" playing sometimes clashes a bit with the loops (as I was never quite sure what would turn up next). I need to get to understand how all of this works a bit more.....

Everything was played on my Bass VI and processed through my pedalboard. All one take, no overdubs, although I guess the loops are kind of "overdubs". I guess I should say that it was all recorded to the BR-800 on one stereo track, nothing added in the "studio".

This is the start of a new journey for me. I found that making this type of music is much more relaxing than my "traditional" approach, as I get lost in the sounds and can noodle away for hours in a kind of "zen" state. So not really sure if this much of a listen for anyone else.......

Best listened to through headphones.

[Pete C]

Mmm very interesting ! It reminds me of the ambient/meditation music that you can find on YouTube etc.. The type of music that helps clear your mind and relax. 30 minutes of that lying down with headphones on would totally chill me out and we could all do with that at the moment.

Pete

[Farrell Jackson]

I took your advice and listened to it through headphones......very relaxing! The concept of doing it all live and recording it in one go has worked out very well to my ears. You've created some incredible sounds and I didn't pickup any noticeable hiss noise at all. Well done!

Farrell

[Flash Harry]

Sublime, relaxing, interesting, I like it.

there's some great overdrive tones that you got from your pedal board.

I'd say that his was a winner, you're heading in a good direction, and it sounded great on my studio monitors

[Redler]

This has cinematic vibe, sounds amazing via phones! I close my eyes and fantasize to be on some Carribbean island...

Amazing job with one stereo track!

[Greeny]

Ambient yet dramatic. Makes me think of sunlight through ocean waves. And Blade Runner - has a Vangelis feel about it. Which is just great! It's very interesting about the two loop thing: how they accidentally harmonise or clash. So much mileage and fun in that alone. Kind of like the Burroughs cut-up poetry technique.

 I think it's fabulous. A big new project!

[tonyc]

very relaxing music , gives you a sense of being on the beach , which is just the thing we need at times like these , great work .....cheers tony cee

[Ferryman_1957]

Thanks for the feedback all, I'm glad this came across OK. This ambient stuff is definitely for relaxing/chilling/meditating, some of the ambient guys on YouTube put out 7 to 8 hour epics to help people sleep (don't worry, I won't inflict that on you!).

I've been listening to this kind of music on and off since 1973, when an album called "No Pussyfooting" was released by Fripp and Eno. It's only in the last couple of years that I've really got interested in playing and creating it.

[Oldrottenhead]

loving it, very dynamic at times and some nice unexpected surprises too.

[Hook]

I really dig this in so many ways. I use my Boss RC300 looper live and not only love the end effect (duo, trio, full band sound) but I just plain enjoy using the machine. I've been wanting to dive into ambient music and have some myself. I have a Fripp & Andy Summers Album that is awesome but I'm gonna find a copy of that Fripp/Eno album!!
Love the layers, tones, moods and etherealness of this, well done brother.
Rock (meditate) on!