I Sail On

TobinMueller

Genre: Piano

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Description

This is the second to last song in my solo piano commission in which I am creating a series of mainly New Age/Neo-Classical piano pieces. This one started off as a fantasy on the pentatonic scale, altho you will see I added liberally to the normal 5 note pallet. I was also trying to create a homage to the great Dave Brubeck, utilizing some of his rhythmic and left/right hand techniques. Altho the framework is 3/4, many passages use shifting signatures. As with all the other pieces in this collection, I change keys constantly. (I'm really having fun with this project.)

What is particularly exciting about this piece is that, after hearing my mix draft, Troy asked if I wanted to develop it into a Prog Rock song with him. So we have begin our first collaboration together. I wanted to post this original version so that whatever we come up with has context.

(I originally posted this under classical music, hence the comments mentioning this. I since decided it should be under jazz.)

This is the sixth track of my solo piano CD "Morning Whispers" - available through Simig Media, iTunes and CDBaby.

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Lyrics

Solo piano instrumental. Please listen in headphones it you can. You can hear all the songs I have completed so far on my Morning Whispers project page.

Song Stats

Hits: 4723
Comments: 47
Fans: 6
Plays: 769
Downloads: 309
Votes: 36
Uploaded: Apr 05, 2005 - 03:07:17 PM
Last Updated: Dec 18, 2007 - 01:16:56 PM Last Played: Jan 31, 2013 - 09:37:09 PM

Song License

Creative Commons License:
Attribution-NoDerivs-NonCommercial

Song Actions

Keywords:

jazz (884), new age (157), classical (743), neo-classical (27), acoustic (790), piano (929), instrumental (795), Morning Whispers (7), keyboard (80), keyboards (40), Ivory (10), neoclassical (13)

Hardware:

Roland A-90ex 88 key controller.
Mac G4.

Software:

GB2; Ivory AU - Yamaha Grand setting

Comments

Tom Atwood

Tom Atwood said 2995 days ago (April 5th, 2005)

Wicked Waltz
Masterful technique. This piece swings, too. Excellent
pounding, pulsing, stormy seas. A real showcase for the
Ivory AU - Yamaha Grand setting.

I love the middle section, which I'm guessing is the
expansion of the pentatonic scale (sounds satanic). Full
range of colors, rhythms, full of joy & terror.

Is this only two hands? Incredible stuff, Tobin. It rocks
already, without Troy.

Check out my latest song called Vanishing Pezzicato

Tom Atwood	Tom Atwood said 2995 days ago (April 5th, 2005)
	Wicked Waltz p.s. like the artwork, too. Check out my latest song called Vanishing Pezzicato

TobinMueller

TobinMueller said 2995 days ago (April 6th, 2005)

Wicked Waltz
Thanks. I started out with the pentatonic scale section and built backwards to
put in the opening. And then I used swing variations of the opening in the
recapitulation. The dissonant middle section in 3/4 started out as a 2
measure transition and I liked it so much I expand it, twice. I am looking
forward to re-arranging the piece with troy. Already, just hearing the song
with power organs and chorused electric piano makes it into an entirely new
song.

Check out my latest song called Dignity

said 2995 days ago (April 5th, 2005)

Shifting currents...

Having lived on a 35 ft. sailboat and sailed off the
east coast, I listended to this from a sailor' vantage.
First, this is a beautifully written and performed
piece. Very enjoyable.

Your use of the pentatonic scale nicely sets up and plays out the changing moods on a sailboat
as one cruises. Often peaceful yet with slight
anxious undertones and thoughts as one gazes at
the horizon attempting to interpret the next set of
clouds moving in. The slight dissonance of the
melody line tracks those somewhat contrasting
inward experiences while onboard.

The varying shifts and tempos along with the interplay between the light middle range notes and the lower bass notes highlight in my mind the
changing nature of the wind. Light and breezy
much of the time and then suddenly a heavier rush that baces the senses. Nothing regular for too
long.

Change and shifts are the norm. And that is what
is so appealing about sailing and this piano piece.

Jack

TobinMueller

TobinMueller said 2995 days ago (April 6th, 2005)

Shifting currents...
Jack, totally cool that you felt all these things. This is what I was going for,
capturing my own moments on a sailboat (on lakes and in the ocean),
imagining my father's while in the Navy, compressing all the feelings of wind
and freedom, trepidation and strain. The pentatonic scale was like a wave,
lasting a few notes longer, ranging a bit higher than anticipated, skipping
over notes with ease. And I always love it when I can play the absolute lowest
and highest note on the keyboard in the same tune. Thanks for all you
impressions, I really appreciate them.

Check out my latest song called Dignity

basil81	basil81 said 2995 days ago (April 5th, 2005)
	Started out great... ...but just kept getting better, and better, and better. Damned if I know what a pentatonic scale is (I'll look it up in a sec) but this music was so damned intriguing, and it grabbed me by the ears and showed me a whole other side of music. The piano sounds awsome!!! This rocks. a lot! Check out my latest song called Epic UNATCO

TobinMueller	TobinMueller said 2994 days ago (April 7th, 2005)
	Started out great... For the 5-note scale, just think of the black keys. This was based on a whole tone feel, too, where I went up the scale without using half notes: C, D, F#, G#, A#... which also equals 5. But I never stuck with any rules, just played what I thought sounded right. Check out my latest song called Dignity

aclarke	aclarke said 2995 days ago (April 5th, 2005)
	This is why I wish I could play the piano. Really fantastic piece here- if I had any idea about music composition I would say this was well thought and and extremely well executed.... hmmm... I guess it doesn't take a pro to realize that after all. Very lively and entertaining! Check out my latest song called By Your Window

Mr. S	Mr. S said 2995 days ago (April 5th, 2005)
	yo yo, ur really talented on the keys. This was good, but I've certainly heard better from u. Good job. Mr. S Check out my latest song called MacJammer's Tribute

TobinMueller

TobinMueller said 2995 days ago (April 6th, 2005)

yo
I agree. I rank other compositions higher, too. But I never know what
resonates, so I wanted to share it. Mainly, it was becuz of Troy's enthusiasm
that I posted it. From my personal favorites perspective, it doesn't have the
same spiritually uplifting appeal as many of my other pieces in my Morning
Whispers project, but this one is turbulent, fast paced and visual, and I
thought it might be nice to share on Macjams.

Check out my latest song called Dignity

Peter Greenstone	Peter Greenstone said 2995 days ago (April 5th, 2005)
	Dance Very engaging piece, Tobin. It seems like something that would be great for a dance performance. I can hear the conflict and tension and the unfolding of some relationship, all in an intricate dance, a waltz almost at times, sometimes almost a tango, sometimes a knife fight, but always alive. Bravo! Check out my latest song called Iridium Flare (2013 Re-Release)

TobinMueller	TobinMueller said 2995 days ago (April 6th, 2005)
	Dance Just another day on board The Macjammer. Yes, I'd love to see this danced! My first commission (30 years ago!) was for a ballet and I have always loved working with dancers. That gives me an idea... Check out my latest song called Dignity

Mystified	Mystified said 2995 days ago (April 5th, 2005)
	Wow Amazing use of that pentatonic scale! I really like the rhythm shifts as the piece develops. And you make it all sound so effortless... Very nice! Check out my latest song called the snowflake dances

thetiler	thetiler said 2995 days ago (April 5th, 2005)
	Nice pict with the music too. Your sure have magnificent ideas here. Sounds very advanced Your dissonant cords mix in with the jazzy type rhythm is outstanding. The bass and the higher notes on the piano at the end are just sublime. Thanks for sharing Check out my latest song called Folsom Prison Blues

TobinMueller	TobinMueller said 2986 days ago (April 15th, 2005)
	Nice pict with the music too. Thanks. I tried to create open lines and dissonant chords, as a contrast, but voiced everything to sound free. I actually started it less jazzy, but it grew more so as I played and replayed. Thanks for the careful listen. Check out my latest song called Dignity

	said 2995 days ago (April 5th, 2005)
	A great listen Dunno about Classical... but a stunning piece. The piano sample is sick! I've been looking for a GOOD piano for a LONG time. Many are good at certain ranges but not the entire length of the keyboard. nice

TobinMueller

TobinMueller said 2995 days ago (April 6th, 2005)

A great listen
Not sure about Classical either. I played it like a Dave Brubeck modern
classical jazz mix, but it didn't really sound like a jazz submission,
throughout. Like many tracks, not sure where to place it. I wish the Ivory AU
sounded better in the mid-keyboard range, too. And didn't ring so much on
certain high notes. But when I'm playing it using my Sennheiser headphones,
it sounds quite good and helps to keep me inspired. The piano is so hard to
mic.

Check out my latest song called Dignity

_nderscore	_nderscore said 2995 days ago (April 6th, 2005)
	okay, just one more.. before i go to bed. gonna be dreaming of ocean spray, rocking waves & rhythmic raindrops. wonderful performance, tobin. can't wait to see what you & troy come up with Check out my latest song called glyd

Doadars Uncle	Doadars Uncle said 2995 days ago (April 6th, 2005)
	Fun I'm a rhythm freak! Check out my latest song called Alone (reboot)

ksvy913fm	ksvy913fm said 2995 days ago (April 6th, 2005)
	Totally Cool ...As usual Check out my latest song called UnAuthorized

rjjones1150 said 2995 days ago (April 6th, 2005)

nice.
...dave brubeck eh? certainly a legend to live by. This
piece definitly shows off some of his techniques. I'd even
suggest more rhythmic differentiation ( use brubeck's
subtle 9/8 time signature for some flare?). just some
thoughts, im working on blue rondo a la turk now with a
piano/percussion ensemble, deffinitly some nice ideas
here.

good job.

Check out my latest song called Jazz Saxophone and Piano

TobinMueller	TobinMueller said 2994 days ago (April 7th, 2005)
	nice. The swing of the 3/4 kind of sounded like 9/8. There were sections I just played and didn't know what time signature it was until I had to score it out, letting the line run as long as it seemed it wanted to be. Thanks for your comments. Check out my latest song called Dignity

	said 2994 days ago (April 6th, 2005)
	Wave theory You are riding a nice wave with this piano soliloquy. Excellent stuff. Compares favorably to the grooves on my old Dave Brubek platter. I can hardly wait to see how Troy messes with it.

	said 2994 days ago (April 6th, 2005)
	I can't wait to ruin it! Yeah, it's goona be a lot of fun. Fantastic piece, my favorite of yours.

TobinMueller	TobinMueller said 2994 days ago (April 7th, 2005)
	I can't wait to ruin it! It'll be totally fun. I was never thinking of any other sound besides piano when writing this, so everything will be a surprise. Thanks for enjoying the piece so much. Check out my latest song called Dignity

Paul_T	Paul_T said 2994 days ago (April 6th, 2005)
	I love it I hate you Gosh, Tobin, you make it sound so effortless and fun. I don't think i could ever remember all those parts, let alone play them. I even love the air in between the notes. Wicked! Check out my latest song called Armor Pajamas

TobinMueller

TobinMueller said 2992 days ago (April 9th, 2005)

I love it I hate you
When I'm writing music like this, I play measures over and over, changing a
note here, and voicing there, making everyone in earshot crazy. Then I write
it out before performing (or, actually, I write it out lying on the couch,
sometimes, before I play it over and over), always using pencil. Every note
causes consternation; so many choices, you know. I wish I could play piano
from the couch. Thanks for the comments.

Check out my latest song called Dignity

Dead End	Dead End said 2994 days ago (April 6th, 2005)
	Wow! Great playing, man. It's scary how good this is. It progresses in such an awesome way. All I can say is wow! Great work, keep jamming! Check out my latest song called Running Numbers

TobinMueller

TobinMueller said 2985 days ago (April 15th, 2005)

Wow!
Thanks for noticing how it progresses. I try and write sections that are related
to each other yet not actual variations, and I try to never repeat a section
exactly, and then combine differing sections in the later part of the song to
bring it all together. I love writing complex stuff, the thrill of the challenge,
the synthesis of genres. It is very cool that you dig it.

Check out my latest song called Dignity

	said 2994 days ago (April 7th, 2005)
	Excellent I love your playing here - energy, wit, sense of style. I don't get a sense of open seas here though, but maybe with a spray bottle of salt water squirted in my face and my fan turned on high ... :)

	said 2994 days ago (April 7th, 2005)
	Excellent P.S. Former navy myself, but mostly shore duty .... --- Mungo

SpasmodicMan	SpasmodicMan said 2994 days ago (April 7th, 2005)
	Blow me away Yeah, it starts like a clean crisp romp, turns into speed and war, and rides rough and hip waters. Never a placid sea. Your swing kept it fun and your playing, realizing you are making all this up on top of the technically proficient stuff, blows me away in a sail. No grain of salt with this one, a full bottle. Check out my latest song called The Androgyne

TobinMueller	TobinMueller said 2986 days ago (April 15th, 2005)
	Blow me away Thanks. I really enjoy your descriptive and imaginative comments. You help make the comments section as entertaining as the music. Check out my latest song called Dignity

	said 2993 days ago (April 7th, 2005)
	Simply an impressive piece of complex music.

TobinMueller	TobinMueller said 2985 days ago (April 15th, 2005)
	Simply Thanks. I added a lot of complexity to this one. Lots of internal shifts in keys and wonky hand positions to make it all come out. Didn't want to ever get bored while playing this one. Lucky I have a long nose to handle the odd middle C. Check out my latest song called Dignity

Suzanne

Suzanne said 2993 days ago (April 8th, 2005)

tripping over the keys/waves
that middle section is awesome. the variations you put this through are wonderful. although most people don't realize you strated this song without the swing aspect, i really like the tripping over the waves feel the swing playing gives. there is a ringing in 2 or 3 of those keys, but it is still way better than the piano in the livingroom! great playing, great writing.

Check out my latest song called Rock The Baby With Voodoo (w/Tobin)

Del	Del said 2991 days ago (April 9th, 2005)
	Tone poem Made me think of the tone poems of ealier composers, capturing an event without using obvious techniques to make it sail (like fog horns and sea shanty themes). Masterful songwriting, man. Or, I guess, when it is music like this, masterful composing. Check out my latest song called The Androgyne

TobinMueller	TobinMueller said 2985 days ago (April 15th, 2005)
	Tone poem Thanks, Del. I always have stuff in my head, like places and images, and try and hold things in my chest, like emotions and longings, to help get me where I end up going in a piece. I dig the way you seem to know what I'm trying to do with my stuff, whether it is poems or music. Thanks for listening so closely. Check out my latest song called Dignity

said 2991 days ago (April 10th, 2005)

Modernization of sound
I like the really modern sounding chords here, and the
randomness and lack of a standard chord progession.
This really sounds modern to my ear, and I think that
music like this is not far from becoming more
mainstream. As we have all heard 1 4 5 so much, this
kind of music sounds fresh and very inventive. Great
performance as well.

There is certainly some clipping going on in some of the
first accented piano notes early on in the piece. Really not
easy to completely avoid clipping though as I ceratainly
have my share of clipped sections in my work.

Aslo seems that the piece is heavier on the right side. As
this is just a piano solo, I wonder if that is the way that
you intended it to be, or if it should be equally weighted
on both the left and right channels.

TobinMueller

TobinMueller said 2985 days ago (April 15th, 2005)

Modernization of sound
Thanks for your observations. I am almost certain that there is no clipping on
this track. I checked it on a couple systems and had Alimar listen, who has
better ears and equipment than I, and he can't detect any clipping either.
There are moments of forte attacks and some thick chords that can create
distortion in certain speakers (for example, my studio monitors sometimes
distort at 400k), but there is none on the track itself. As for the left-right
leveling, since I have constant sinus and eustachian tube troubles due to
allergies, etc., I am not the best at balancing out left-right; but the balance in
this case was determined by the stereo field created in the Ivory AU. Since the
piece is actually played right of center on the piano keyboard (with much
more playing above middle C than below), that could be one explanation.

Check out my latest song called Dignity

Swanny	Swanny said 2989 days ago (April 12th, 2005)
	What can I say Great stuff !!!! Check out my latest song called You're all that I need

John Stebbe	John Stebbe said 2985 days ago (April 15th, 2005)
	A very good track Tobin, sounds great. I like the counterpoint and the parallel harmonies. Your chord choices are often unpredictable, but always tasteful. Check out my latest song called Woodwind Family Song

TobinMueller	TobinMueller said 2716 days ago (January 9th, 2006)
	A very good track Thanks. I try for that balance between unpredictable and enhanced tasteful entertainment. I appreciate your comments from a master of the jazz style as you are. I never made the transition totally into jazz with this piece (it was originally written with no jazz stylings in mind) and I hope its between genre feel made it more unique. Check out my latest song called Dignity

Magritte	Magritte said 2978 days ago (April 22nd, 2005)
	Wow... I love how the seeming randomness implies the shifting moods of the sea. Check out my latest song called Tango Macabre

	SopMan99 said 2753 days ago (December 3rd, 2005)
	Yeah!! Really cool tune!!! I'd love to hear what you're able to do in an jazz improv setting...combo or big band perhaps. Your solo work is no doubt very fine... Check out my latest song called Experimental

macfreddy	macfreddy said 2336 days ago (January 24th, 2007)
	different! and great - and very nice playing there... Check out my latest song called Meandmypiano

michael2	michael2 said 2240 days ago (May 1st, 2007)
	outstanding this is a great piece of music. i would categorize it as jazz, but that's me. sometimes the genre thing can be confusing, this really beautiful whatever you want to call it. i love when the dissonance creeps in, and the little runs are reminiscent of Debussy. truly inspired. Check out my latest song called yes you told me (that you're cynical)

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Artist Info

Name: Tobin Mueller
Location: Rowayton CT USA

I am a professional musician, composer, playwright and director. I've led a charmed life. I'm married to fellow MJer Suzanne. MJer Twonicus is my son, he currently fronts 3 bands in the NYC area, including "Hoodless." My second son just received his... [see more]

Check out some of my other songs:

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