Iron Clouds

kristyjo

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Description

Another Native American flute piece. I'm not sure about the mix/voicing/EQ on this one, but I am pretty happy with the tune itself, and the ornamentation I used. All of the NAF pieces I've posted so far are more of the reflective, slow type. The next one I'm working on is more of a dance-tune - I promise. Iron Clouds, however, is still of the 'winter is coming- sigh' style. One of the things I learned about Native American music in musicology classes is that, unlike Western songs, (which tend to start low and rise to the next octave, then either stay there, or arc back down), most Native American music stars high, and then spirals consistently downward.

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Song Stats

Hits: 646
Comments: 14
Fans: 12
Plays: 80
Downloads: 53
Votes: 6
Uploaded: Nov 12, 2008 - 09:34:50 PM
Last Updated: Nov 12, 2008 - 09:34:50 PM Last Played: Nov 24, 2009 - 04:25:30 PM

Song License

Creative Commons License:
Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike

Song Actions

Hardware:

G4, Blue Snowball

Software:

GarageBand

Comments

Roxylee	Roxylee said 378 days ago (November 12th, 2008)
	Plaintive and pretty Yes, it does sound like a "Winter is coming" song! It probably isn't easy to play this, but you make it sound like it is. :-) Check out my latest song called Sweet Grace

kristyjo	kristyjo said 376 days ago (November 14th, 2008)
	Thanks, Roxy I always appreciate your listening and comments. I'm glad it sounds easy - it's a lot of fun. Check out my latest song called What a Friend We Have in Jesus

Feter	Feter said 378 days ago (November 12th, 2008)
	Iron Clouds true meditation ...and nature ...love the feel and spirit as always ...thnx alot for sharin !!!! Check out my latest song called A Night With Feter feat'(Roxylee sloparts crissew johnwhitehead and Yamin AL Yamani )

kristyjo	kristyjo said 376 days ago (November 14th, 2008)
	Feter - I'm always glad when you listen to my music. Thanks for stopping and commenting! Check out my latest song called What a Friend We Have in Jesus

paul f. page

paul f. page said 378 days ago (November 12th, 2008)

Another....
...lovely tune, Kristyjo. So contemplative and calming and beautifully played. I have a couple small thoughts that you might consider: 1) a little more reverb...some distance... It just feels awfully close ... 2) the characteristic fall-offs could maybe be just a tad longer. You seem to clip them each time, but that may be a breath support thing. You certainly are playing with a lot of skill and I admire you for that... Maybe it's just a little more ambiance I'm seeking.... Oh, and don't worry about an upbeat tune (thought that would be certainly nice). These slow ones are just beautiful .
Peace.
Paul

Check out my latest song called Double Etude

kristyjo

kristyjo said 376 days ago (November 14th, 2008)

Hi, Paul -
The reverb thing has me puzzled. I THOUGHT I had a good template, but it lacked warmth and space. Then, there was another sound that I liked, but it didn't sound much like a flute anymore. (I used that on 'Crimson') I have a couple of commercial recordings that I'm trying to emulate, but I still don't quite have it. Right now, what I've been using has too many breathing sounds in it, and you can actually hear the air movement, which I think could become somewhat annoying. Thanks for the listen & comments. I'm always glad when you stop by!

Check out my latest song called What a Friend We Have in Jesus

guitapick	guitapick said 377 days ago (November 13th, 2008)
	I live... ...for this kind of music...it speaks with simplicity and perfection...the artwork fits beautifully... Check out my latest song called Outside the Corral

kristyjo	kristyjo said 376 days ago (November 14th, 2008)
	Bob- Thanks for stopping by. Although I enjoy playing many styles of music, this simple, single flute sound is more satisfying than most, and is really (at the risk of sounding new age-y) grounding. I'm glad you find some of that, too. Check out my latest song called What a Friend We Have in Jesus

richard13	richard13 said 377 days ago (November 13th, 2008)
	Iron Clouds This is too cool on several levels. Very nice. Check out my latest song called Dancing on the Head of a Pin

kristyjo	kristyjo said 375 days ago (November 15th, 2008)
	Thanks for the comment. I appreciate the thought, and that you seem to have enjoyed it. Cool! Check out my latest song called What a Friend We Have in Jesus

poodyglitz

poodyglitz said 376 days ago (November 14th, 2008)

Winter Is Coming
And the flute is sad. The flute makes me sad. It's all the flute's fault. But you know what? The flute did its job. Very nice to find something so different to listen to. I would go along with Paul in saying that you just do what feels right. If the next piece is another flute piece, so be it.

Sincerely,
A Good-natured Slob

:-)

Check out my latest song called Media Man Update

kristyjo	kristyjo said 375 days ago (November 15th, 2008)
	Awww, Poody - Don't be too sad. Spring is coming after winter! Maybe I'll have some friskier tunes out for that season! Check out my latest song called What a Friend We Have in Jesus

poodyglitz	poodyglitz said 373 days ago (November 17th, 2008)
	LOL! Okay, I'll try and cheer up! Check out my latest song called Media Man Update

ic42	ic42 said 376 days ago (November 14th, 2008)
	universe music it is beautiful. music to pierce a heart. a call of life from the cold of winter. there is such a universal similarity here. have you listened to native japanese "shakuhachi", bamboo flute? a style of playing and scale are similar. perhaps there is this flute music in all people. is so well played. thank you. 0x0 Check out my latest song called futatsu 0x01

kristyjo

kristyjo said 375 days ago (November 15th, 2008)

Yes-
There are so many cultures that use these patterns in their music. I had a prof. who specifically studies children's songs from around the world to find the similarities and common patterns of music. it is quite fascinating. It really highlights that while all cultures have their own unique styles of music, there is a foundational music that all people share, even before birth. (mother's heartbeat, movement of walking, etc.) I think this comes close to that foundational music, as does the music of Japan that you mentioned, and music from other places. Thanks for listening, and sharing your knowledge, too.

Check out my latest song called What a Friend We Have in Jesus

davisamerica	davisamerica said 375 days ago (November 15th, 2008)
	great title your music is always a treat for the ears but also so amazingly educational ... thanks for the trip to a wonderfully special place. Check out my latest song called No Son(egobandit band)

kristyjo	kristyjo said 374 days ago (November 16th, 2008)
	Hi - I'm so glad you stopped by during your sabbatical! This music is so enjoyable to play, and it's even more enjoyable to find that so many other people enjoy it, too! I've taken a cue from Midi Orleans, and added a few nuggets of historical info to this piece. I'm glad you like it. Check out my latest song called What a Friend We Have in Jesus

Ed Hannifin

Ed Hannifin said 374 days ago (November 16th, 2008)

Have I mentioned...
...the whole 'appropriate graphic' thing? I believe I have. This is perfect in that regard. 'Winter is coming', with a sky to match...

Nicely non-shrill. Are you playing the flute here, or is the flute sampled? I couldn't tell from your comments. I

n my room, I can get where Paul's coming from about the reverb, although there is a nice clarity. Not too much breath noise, although I actually don't mind breath noise in this sort of piece. I think I have some R. Carlos Nakai stuff kicking around that has plenty of breath. I had something that puts the Native American flutes against the shakuhachi...

This has a nice melancholy and sounds traditional, not a moment of ersatz-traditional.

Ed

Check out my latest song called Next Time Around (w/jiguma)

kristyjo

kristyjo said 374 days ago (November 16th, 2008)

Hmmm-
'Appropriate Graphics??' Nahh.
OK, so I finally took the hint. It DOES add to the experience, so I'll continue to add graphics to the best of my ability on these pieces. I guess it's like when people don't put any info in the information box. That just BUGS me. I wanna know why & how, and anything else about you and the song. I s'pose for you visually oriented folks, it's the same thing with the graphics. And thanks for the nod on authenticity. Again, it has to do with philosophy as much as the final sound, but it does mean a lot that it doesn't sound cliche to you.

Check out my latest song called What a Friend We Have in Jesus

Doadars Uncle	Doadars Uncle said 373 days ago (November 17th, 2008)
	Peaceful Hi Kristy, I already downloaded this one! Iron Clouds is a contemplative name for a meditative piece. The pic works well, too! Check out my latest song called Capitalist's Drag

kristyjo	kristyjo said 372 days ago (November 18th, 2008)
	Doug, Thanks for the vote of confidence via the download. I know you graphic artist types like the album art, so I'll try to keep doing that. I'm glad you enjoyed it! Check out my latest song called What a Friend We Have in Jesus

Bob Overman	Bob Overman said 372 days ago (November 18th, 2008)
	nice In your description, you said that most Native American music starts high then spirals downward. The music you created seems to do that, but the feel of the song holds the listener all the way to the end. Very nice and unique sound. I'm going to listen to more of your earlier songs now. Check out my latest song called Something's Come Over Me

kristyjo

kristyjo said 372 days ago (November 18th, 2008)

It's great that you came to listen,
I think the various styles presented by MacJammers is a real strength of this site, and the eagerness to listen to different styles is a real mark of a person who is willing to learn about and appreciate all of our diverse expressions. I stumbled upon your own music which is so different from this, yet so wonderful in its own right, and I'm glad you reciprocated, and enjoyed the music!

Check out my latest song called What a Friend We Have in Jesus

kassia

kassia said 370 days ago (November 20th, 2008)

iron
You know, I downloaded this last week for a listen, intending to come back to comment - and completely forgot to return. I've been listening to this over and over again. It's gorgeous, soothing, moving. Your performance is wonderful, with all the great nuances and special touches the native american flutes are capable of. A beautiful meditative, inspirational piece. Thank you for sharing this.

Check out my latest song called Deep Majesty

kristyjo

kristyjo said 359 days ago (December 1st, 2008)

Thanks
I really do enjoy playing this flute. My other wind instrument is the Bari Sax, which is different in almost every respect. There are, indeed, so many nuances and ornaments used in this style, that even the simplest song takes on a lot of emotional and stylist qualities that are just very appealing. Thanks for returning to comment. I appreciate it!

Check out my latest song called What a Friend We Have in Jesus

VicDiesel	VicDiesel said 360 days ago (November 30th, 2008)
	Plaintive You have a beautiful melody here. The appropriate spirit for the start of winter. It's interesting to compare your approach to the native flute to mine. But there's room enough on MJ for both! Check out my latest song called Desert Stars

kristyjo

kristyjo said 360 days ago (November 30th, 2008)

Vic
I'm so glad you came by for a listen. I think NAF is a secondary instrument for both of us, so, we both bring a little of our 'other' training & temperament to the flute. I was really blown away by your composition, and the way you used the flute with other diverse instruments. I really loved it! I tend to get wrapped up in the 'folk' uses of music and instruments, so that is what I tend to play in the style of. You are absolutely right - there is room for both styles, and any more anyone wants to throw in, here at MJ!

Check out my latest song called What a Friend We Have in Jesus

Ibstrat	Ibstrat said 359 days ago (December 1st, 2008)
	I'm really inspired by your ability to play a single line melody with so much feeling.I have listened to this several times trying to copy it on the guitar.Thanks for posting this! Check out my latest song called Blues in Bm

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Artist Info

Name: Kristine Johanek

I've been performing, composing and teaching music for many years. I enjoy arranging traditional and classic pieces, and also enjoy composing original music. I'll write for whomever will perform my music, so I've written for children's choirs, co... [see more]

Check out some of my other songs:

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