Tempo change throughout song or rewrite?

celebritymusic · 10th September 2007

Hey all

I'm working on an R n' B ballad. The tempo feels good in the verse and pre, but feels sluggish in the chorus, even when I add more percussion.

I was wondering what's the best thing to do - tempo change the chorus or rewrite the chorus lyrics so their rhythm fits better with the feel?

Is tempo changing the done thing?

Ta

Shaun

**Blast9** · 10th September 2007

Yeah, try a tempo map for the whole song:

If you're tracking live musicians,( i.e. not drum loop or sequences) make sure the click is nice and groovy, i.e. don't quantise it too rigidly, or leave some 8th or quarter notes notes out.

octatonic · 10th September 2007

Try doing a ska version- tempo changes work great in ska.

tINY · 10th September 2007

The A tempo/ B tempo thing goes back, what? 500 years?

-tINY

u b k · 10th September 2007

if it feels too sluggish but only in the chorus, something about the arrangement is off. the rhythm/delivery of the vocals, the swing (more swing gives the tempo a perceived push), the bassline, the absence of tension in chords... it could be anything.

any chance of a clip to hear what's actually going on?

gregoire
del
ubk
.

Energie · 10th September 2007

if your sequencing, it may end up slightly ackward if suddenly the chorus picks up in tempo, and then goes back, with a live band its easier to pull off pushes and what not, sounds a bit more natural.

if trying to either syncopate the rythm a bit, or vocals or faster lines in that part doesn't help, try picking up the tempo overall a bit, or change the way you phrase it, maybe a happy medium overall is the best solotuion, depending on how your working.

not saying it won't work, but its easier for orchestral stuff and other non rythm driven stuff to make sound more natural with tempo increasesd when sequencing, try it and if it doesn't work, just rework the song a bit. my 2 cents

celebritymusic · 12th September 2007

Sure UBK - I'm still writing the lyrics, so I'll get a full guide vox down ASAP and post a clip.

10th September 2007	#1
celebritymusic Gear addict Joined: Jun 2005 Location: AUSTRALIA Posts: 397 Thread Starter	Tempo change throughout song or rewrite? Hey all I'm working on an R n' B ballad. The tempo feels good in the verse and pre, but feels sluggish in the chorus, even when I add more percussion. I was wondering what's the best thing to do - tempo change the chorus or rewrite the chorus lyrics so their rhythm fits better with the feel? Is tempo changing the done thing? Ta Shaun __________________ http://www.pa-hire.net.au - wedding sound system specialists - Sydney, Wollongong, Illawarra, South Coast NSW, AUSTRALIA

10th September 2007	#2
Blast9 Moderator Joined: Dec 2003 Location: London Posts: 4,598	Yeah, try a tempo map for the whole song: If you're tracking live musicians,( i.e. not drum loop or sequences) make sure the click is nice and groovy, i.e. don't quantise it too rigidly, or leave some 8th or quarter notes notes out. __________________ :: New Album "Rooms" out now http://www.andymitchellmusic.com :: twitter > http://twitter.com/mitchellmusic - http://www.twitter.com/theyardbirds

10th September 2007	#5
u b k Gear Guru Joined: Oct 2004 Location: The Land of Sunshine Posts: 11,294	if it feels too sluggish but only in the chorus, something about the arrangement is off. the rhythm/delivery of the vocals, the swing (more swing gives the tempo a perceived push), the bassline, the absence of tension in chords... it could be anything. any chance of a clip to hear what's actually going on? gregoire del ubk . __________________ • Tapey Compressor \| Silky Air EQ \| Vibey Plugin Squeezebox... • ...... • Kush Audio: High End Just Got Higher • ____________________

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10th September 2007	#3
octatonic Lives for gear Joined: Jun 2004 Location: London Posts: 5,450	Try doing a ska version- tempo changes work great in ska.

10th September 2007	#4
tINY Gear Guru Joined: Jul 2004 Location: Orygun Posts: 10,234	The A tempo/ B tempo thing goes back, what? 500 years? -tINY

10th September 2007	#6
Energie Lives for gear Joined: Aug 2007 Posts: 1,092	if your sequencing, it may end up slightly ackward if suddenly the chorus picks up in tempo, and then goes back, with a live band its easier to pull off pushes and what not, sounds a bit more natural. if trying to either syncopate the rythm a bit, or vocals or faster lines in that part doesn't help, try picking up the tempo overall a bit, or change the way you phrase it, maybe a happy medium overall is the best solotuion, depending on how your working. not saying it won't work, but its easier for orchestral stuff and other non rythm driven stuff to make sound more natural with tempo increasesd when sequencing, try it and if it doesn't work, just rework the song a bit. my 2 cents

12th September 2007	#7
celebritymusic Gear addict Joined: Jun 2005 Location: AUSTRALIA Posts: 397 Thread Starter	Sure UBK - I'm still writing the lyrics, so I'll get a full guide vox down ASAP and post a clip.