Simplicity, Silence and Space Make Music Shine

This is a song concept recorded using Propellerhead’s Reason and Ableton Live. It’s more of a concept, rather than a full song as it could use a bit more lovin’. This tune is upbeat and punchy.

I played the bass line, piano and pad sound. I added some high-quality drum loops. I like the 80’s-style feel to the main drum loop. The piano melody is loosely inspired by Sigur Ros’, “Hoppipolla”. Sigur Ros is very unique and experimental band from Iceland.

Song: All You Held So Tightly

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Simplicity, Silence and Space Make Music Shine

I sometimes catch myself saying, “I’m not a piano player. I can’t play piano.”. Then I realize that it doesn’t matter if I’m not highly skilled in an instrument. It’s more important that I can feel the music, and just play it, even if it’s simple. Some of the most powerful songs are driven by simple riffs, simple melodies, basic chords, sparse percussion or chilled bass lines. Nothing fancy or complex.

Don’t let, “I’m not good at…”, stop you from creating and learning.

Look at the bass line from, “Walking on the Moon” by the Police. Very simple, but that bass line makes that song stand out, and there’s a reason why that song is still played today, 33 years later. Sting also allows for space and silence in that bass line. He’s not all over the place and he’s not being showy.

As musicians, creative artists and creative thinkers, we don’t need to be flashy. We don’t need to “show and tell”. At all.

A truly good musical idea or a truly good idea will speak for itself. We don’t have to sell it. Or ourselves.