Bobby Jean

By Jim

02/19/2006

Getting a rhythm guitar to sound decent with a synthesizer isn't easy, as this song demonstrates. It's OK, but doesn't sound right.

I originally did this song in 3/4 time, but it sounded like a polka. I also transposed the key trying to help my vocals - this is getting to be a regular event. It turns out that I can hit notes when I'm playing the piano and singing, but I never noticed how strained the sound is. Move the key down a few notes, and it's easier. This doesn't help me when I go off-key.

The sax is an octive lower than I originally played, because the instrument sounded funny up higher.

All in all, this song was a disappointment. The original has a completely different feel, and Springsteen's voice makes up for the fact that the melody and the chords do not fit together in the traditional sense. He can pull this off; I cannot. Live and learn.

Voices: Drums, Piano, Guitars, Picked Bass, Accordian, Sax

Click here to listen:

www.jhalpin.com