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[pgil]

THE TIGSOURCE MUSICAL JAM REDUX AGAIN

Here's how it will go down:

-I (The host) will Provide a theme for the challenge
-You will be given ONE WEEK to compose a song with said theme
-You will post your song HERE, in the official challenge thread
-Other participants will listen to your song. You will listen to other participants' songs. Critique will be had.
-A winner will be chosen by the host.
-The winner will host the next challenge.

OK... Are you ready?

The theme of the challenge is...

ONE-NOTE BASSLINE

Compose a piece of music featuring a bassline.  This bassline must only play one note. You may have other instruments, and they can play any notes you wish. But if the bass plays anything other than the note it started with, you lose.

Examples of one-note basslines:





(except during the chorus... don't listen to that part)
Boards of Canada - Ready Let's Go
Simple Minds - Waterfront
LCD Soundsystem - Losing My Edge

Required Reading:  
I couldn't think of anything to put here. Um... Here's an article about a dog with big muscles. Read that.

Challenge ends February 16, 2012 at 6:00 PM (GMT - 8:00)

DEADLINE MOVED:  
Challenge ends Tuesday, February 21 at 8:00 PM (GMT - 8:00)

That's everything you need to know.  Now, make some music!

[JMickle]

oh maann that's gonna be difficult to make interesting. EVEN BETTER FOR CHALLANEGG 

[bauer]

Sweet! What timezone are we using? Good luck all!

[MoritzPGKatz]

Sounds like a fun challenge, I'm in!

[Sam English]

Great idea, pgil! I wish I wasn't so busy so I could enter...

Good luck everyone!

[kz012]

This sounds like a fun challenge!

[pgil]

What timezone are we using?

It's based on the forum time, so.... US Pacific time (GMT - 8:00).

[MoritzPGKatz]

One quick question: do octaves count?

[Calum Bowen]

Excited and a little frustrated at my early attempts at this! haha, this will be a really interesting compo! Can't wait to submit and hear other entries.

[pgil]

One quick question: do octaves count?

Good question!  I would say no, octaves don't matter.  c-1 and c-5 are the same note.

[MoritzPGKatz]

One quick question: do octaves count?

Good question!  I would say no, octaves don't matter.  c-1 and c-5 are the same note.

Alright, thanks for clearing that up.

[medieval]

I have the bassline and drum pattern, I just want some screeching solo and some sample effects. I'd use an electric guitar, but I have no recording equipment... any ideas on how i can reach a similar "screeching" effect with software? (reason preferably)

[MoritzPGKatz]

I have the bassline and drum pattern, I just want some screeching solo and some sample effects. I'd use an electric guitar, but I have no recording equipment... any ideas on how i can reach a similar "screeching" effect with software? (reason preferably)

Try a sawtooth wave dubbed with some white noise, then filter the hell out of that.   

[Calum Bowen]

Nearly ready to post my entry... are we waiting 'til Thursday? Or shall I post away ASAP?

[medieval]

How about samples? I tried making a melody on the computer but it really doesn't sound satisfying unless I use a physical instrument. Without recording equipment, this is not possible unless I take samples from the internet.

[pgil]

Of course you can use samples. Do whatever you have to to make music!

Just 1 day left!  You can post finished songs any time.  I can't wait to hear what everybody's come up with 

[MoritzPGKatz]

I'm not sure if I'll be able to contribute after all, a lot of work came up. Maybe I'll post a quick jam tomorrow, just for kicks.

[Calum Bowen]

I'm gonna get the ball rolling (hope i'm not the only one!)

This is frantic flight:
http://soundcloud.com/calumbowen/frantic-flight

I went about it by using the bass note as an accent in many instances and allowing it to take a prominent rhythmic role to make up for it's harmonic stasis. Those who know Stravinsky's petrushka will find this fairly familiar as well as masashi hamauzu's music. When listening to it I kind of imagine a fast frantic ride on a old rickety plane which finally reaches through the clouds and finds a comfortable flight at the end (you'll know what i mean when you listen).

So that's my offering

I no longer think pedal notes are a bit of a novelty play-thing!

[MoritzPGKatz]

Very nice stuff, Calum.

[kz012]

Wonderful piece Calum!

I particularly like the motif used in the beginning. It really does give one the sense of an action sequence.  Very nice job with the production as well (especially those trumpets!).

Here is my piece "Passing Through:"

http://soundcloud.com/morgancasey-composer/passing-through

When I think of a bassline that only uses one note, the first thing that comes to mind is the illustration of energy and momentum. I wanted this piece to emphasize the quick passing of movement, by slowly building up the theme until it quickly and quietly disappears into thin air.  This is written in a hybrid style (orchestral/electronic) to help heighten the overall feeling as well.

This was a really cool challenge and definitely had a lot of fun with it.