The Composition

Before I started to look recording techniques for this project, I thought that it was important to have a structured composition with defined parts so that I would know exactly what to play when it came to practicing and recording the performance.

The Boss RC-500 looper was perfect for the compositional process as it allowed me to define and layer parts and have a good idea of how the composition would sound before I launched into working in Ableton Live.

The composition can be broken into the following parts:-

• A 90 BPM rhythm pattern
• Bass Riff (E / A)
• Low Guitar Riff
• Chords Em7 A / A7
• Funky Rhythm Em7 (Barre 7) A / A7 (Barre 5)
• Lead Riff
• Low Licks

Once I had established that and experimented with the looper, I could decide how to map the recorded clips into Ableton Live.

• Track 1 - Drum pattern
• Track 2 - Bass Riff
• Track 3 - Chords
• Track 4 - Lead Riff (3 variations, use follow actions)
• Track 5 - Licks (variations, use follow actions)
• Track 6 - Funky Rhythm
• Track 7 - Vocals

Song Development

I made some initial recordings of my looper work in Reaper so that I could listen again and make sure that everything worked together. I experimented with using a different rhythm pattern and BPM until I had something that I would be able to play for the performance.

The composition does not have a traditional verse / chorus structure. It is a series of repeating 4 bar loops that are repeated. The dynamics are achieved by introducing instrument parts and removing instrument parts and of course the manipulation that I will do during the performance.

The intention of the live performance is to start off with sound recordings that have not been manipulated in any way, but gradually throughout the performance the sounds are manipulated until there is a feeling of disorientation and slight chaos. 

This inspired me to write some lyrics based on a character who is on an imaginary roller coaster ride who, when reaching the top of the loop, looks down upon the world and sees only chaos and destruction.

A Complete Song

As I recorded a number of my practice sessions, I was able to make a composite mix consisting of work that I had done with the looper, including the built in looper effects controlled by a MIDI controller, Ableton Live performance practice sessions and automation in Reaper. I also added a guitar solo for some more variation.

I decided that I would write some lyrics so that I would have a complete song. The process of mixing together the various recording sessions led to some interesting results.

Lyrics

The lessons of history
Are swept away by a stormy sea
The memories, have slowly died
Ripped apart by the great divide.

At the top of the loop
When you're waiting to descend
You look down and you'll see
The same mistakes again

The algorithms there to bleed you
It sucks your life blood cos it needs you

When we look at the word
Are we staring at the bitter end
We destroy all our hopes
In a frenzy of self destruction

Loop the loop
Again again
Never see the truth my friend
Loop the loop
There's only hope
To see the light shine through the smoke

pompeyjazz · At The Top Of The Loop