#national-solo-album-month — Public Fediverse posts

2024 NaSoAlMo Day 28/30

This will be the final NaSoAlMo post this year. The project is complete. Success!

I mixed the last two songs yesterday. I also came up with a final running order and took a cover photo with Hipstamatic. I tried putting text onto the photo but the app I normally use was acting buggy and I just gave up. Not a big deal.

Here’s a link to the final playlist on alonetone.

Here’s my not very imaginative cover pic:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/robj_1971/54169816092/in/dateposted/

Here are links to the songs, in the order they were finished which also happens to be the order they were started.

• The Worst
• Chaos for Sure
• Let’s Get On With It
• The Sinking Ship
• Place Blame
• Proud?
• My Fault

An “album” called Sevens and it is made up of seven songs in 7/8 time. The lyrics to all seven songs also deal with the same topic. I’m not going to say what but you can probably guess given current events. I guess this means that this is my first concept album.

I guess that concludes our internet music challenge projects for 2024. Up next will be the 2025 RPM Challenge in February. That’s the big one for me.

#2024Nasoalmo #Guitar #iphoneography #Music #nasoalmo #nationalSoloAlbumMonth #photography #Recording #Songwriting

Finished

I just finished mixing the seventh and final song for this year’s National Solo Album Month project. I’m done! Not only that, I am done on the 28th day of the month, just like the February RPM Challenge. I might be hardwired to do album-in-a-month projects in 28 days.

Sevens

#2024Nasoalmo #Guitar #Music #nasoalmo #nationalSoloAlbumMonth #Recording #Songwriting

2024 NaSoAlMo Day 27/30

Day 27 (yesterday) was a day off from work so I had plenty of time to mess with music. I ended up mixing three songs. That means five out of the seven songs are done and done. Boom. Only two more mix downs left. I still need to find a cover photo for the “album” but I know what I want to do. I also need to finalize the running order but I have most of that worked out already.

Here’s the list of completed songs:

• The Worst
• Chaos for Sure
• Let’s Get On With It
• The Sinking Ship
• Place Blame

#2024Nasoalmo #Guitar #Music #nasoalmo #nationalSoloAlbumMonth #Recording #Songwriting

Three Songs

I’ve mixed three songs for the National Solo Album Month today. Aren’t ya proud of me?

• Let’s Get On With It
• The Sinking Ship
• Place Blame

I still have two more songs to finish and I still need to come up with something to use as a cover. I have been sort of coming up with the running order as I go along so I just need to slot in those last two songs.

Almost done.

#2024Nasoalmo #Guitar #Music #nasoalmo #nationalSoloAlbumMonth #Recording #Songwriting

2024 NaSoAlMo Day 26/30

I mixed a song. Just before bed. I was almost shut out but I salvaged the day. That’s two songs mixed. Five still to go.

Current list of completed songs:

• The Worst
• Chaos for Sure

#2024Nasoalmo #Guitar #Music #nasoalmo #nationalSoloAlbumMonth #Recording #Songwriting

2024 NaSoAlMo Day 25/30

I put lead guitars onto three songs. Tracking is done. Now I just have to mix six songs and then the whole project is done. Time is getting short, but I’ll pull it off.

#2024Nasoalmo #Guitar #Music #nasoalmo #nationalSoloAlbumMonth #Recording #Songwriting

Burning

After playing very little guitar over the course of about two months, I played quite a bit yesterday, and I played hard. My finger tips were hurting in a big way.

This morning I played some more. Again, I played hard. Lots of bending and sliding around. Oh my goodness, my fingers are burning right now. They feel like they are on fire. There is going to be a big blister on my ring finger before the day is out. It’s been over an hour since I finished (I put lead guitars onto the three remaining songs) and it still hurts like it’s a fresh wound. Yikes!

All of the tracking for this year’s National Solo Album Month (NASoAlMo) is done. Now I just have six songs to mix and to figure out what to use for a cover photo and then I am done. Six days left (counting today). I should finish with oodles of time to spare.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/robj_1971/54162528727/in/dateposted/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/robj_1971/54162528632/in/photostream/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/robj_1971/54163861370/in/photostream/

#2024Nasoalmo #365 #365Challenge #365Project #Guitar #Music #nasoalmo #nationalSoloAlbumMonth #photoADay #photoADayChallenge #photoADayProject #photography #Recording #Songwriting

2024 NaSoAlMo Day 24/30

I am so close to being done it’s crazy.

I put lead guitars onto four of the seven songs. I wanted to try to sneak in at least one more but my finger tips (and their lack of calluses due to not playing much over the last couple of months) were killing me so I had to stop.

Later, before bed, I mixed one song.

Here’s hoping I can finish tracking the last three lead guitar parts today (day 25). No promises, but it sure would be nice.

The finished songs include:

• The Worst

#2024Nasoalmo #Guitar #Music #nasoalmo #nationalSoloAlbumMonth #Recording #Songwriting

One Song Down, Six to Go

I mixed a song for the 2024 National Solo Album Month project tonight (aka NaSoAlMo). One song down, six to go.

The Worst

I still have to add lead guitars to three songs. Once I finish that (tomorrow before work, maybe?) I will be done with tracking. Barring any disasters I should be able to finish this project with plenty of time to spare. Fingers crossed.

#2024Nasoalmo #Guitar #Music #nasoalmo #nationalSoloAlbumMonth #Recording #Songwriting

2024 NaSoAlMo Day 23/30

Nothing. I had too many other things to do yesterday and never had time to work on music.

Today, day 24, should be more productive. I hope, at least.

Seven days left. Seven days… seven songs… 7/8 time. It all comes together.

#2024Nasoalmo #Guitar #Music #nasoalmo #nationalSoloAlbumMonth #Recording #Songwriting

2024 NaSoAlMo Day 22/30

Another good day. I finished the vocals for the month. Three songs were vocal-free when I started the morning and by the time I got to work zero songs were vocal-free.

Now that that singing crap is all done I can get back to playing guitar. All that is left are lead guitars and mix downs.

#2024Nasoalmo #Guitar #Music #nasoalmo #nationalSoloAlbumMonth #Recording #Songwriting

More Car Music

Another day, another batch of recorded vocals in the car in the (mostly) empty movie theater parking lot. No movies were watched during this early morning session, but vocals were added to three songs.

I am done with vocals for this month, thank goodness. I hate the sound of my own voice and I don’t like singing and I don’t like writing lyrics and my melodies are dumb. I just don’t like not having a vocal part of the crappy songs that I write so if I am gonna write songs, they are gonna have vocals. My kingdom for a little self confidence… and talent.

I have seven songs for this months National Solo Album Month project. All seven have vocals. Now I can get back to recording guitars (it’s time for lead guitars and solos and solos and solos) and then just mix ’em all down and I’ll be done. Eight days left.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/robj_1971/54156329777/in/dateposted/

#2024Nasoalmo #Guitar #iphoneography #Music #nasoalmo #nationalSoloAlbumMonth #photography #Recording #Songwriting

2024 NaSoAlMo Day 21/30

Finally a productive day.

When I woke up on day 21 (yesterday) I had five songs ready for vocals. By the time I punched into work, four of them were done. At that point I still had two songs that needed lyrics and melodies. By the time I went to sleep they were both done. Now I’m left with three songs ready for vocals and four ready for lead guitars. Lets see what today (day 22) brings us.

#2024Nasoalmo #Guitar #Music #nasoalmo #nationalSoloAlbumMonth #Recording #Songwriting

2024 NaSoAlMo Day 20/30

Nothing… again… sorry. I’m slightly optimistic things will improve on day 21. We’ll see.

#2024Nasoalmo #Guitar #Music #nasoalmo #nationalSoloAlbumMonth #Recording #Songwriting

2024 NaSoAlMo Day 19/30

I worked on one song. It got a melody and lyrics. I need to pick up the pace here.

#2024Nasoalmo #Guitar #Music #nasoalmo #nationalSoloAlbumMonth #Recording #Songwriting

2024 NaSoAlMo Day 18/30

Nothing. Three days in a row of nothing. Am I losing interest? Maybe. Maybe not. We will see.

#2024NasoalmoNasoalmo #Guitar #Music #nationalSoloAlbumMonth #Recording #Songwriting

2024 NaSoAlMo Day 16 & 17/30

Nothing. I took the weekend off to do other stuff. Now I have to cram to catch up. I’m hoping to start tracking vocals on day 19. Fingers crossed.

#2024Nasoalmo #Guitar #Music #nasoalmo #nationalSoloAlbumMonth #Recording #Songwriting

2024 NaSoAlMo Day 15/30

I worked on one song. It got a melody and lyrics. I need to pick up the pace here.

#2024Nasoalmo #Guitar #Music #nasoalmo #nationalSoloAlbumMonth #Recording #Songwriting

2024 NaSoAlMo Day 14/30

I worked on one song. It got a melody and lyrics. I need to pick up the pace here.

#2024Nasoalmo #Guitar #Music #nasoalmo #nationalSoloAlbumMonth #Recording #Songwriting

2024 NaSoAlMo Day 13/30

I worked on one song. It got a melody and lyrics. I need to pick up the pace here.

#2024Nasoalmo #Guitar #Music #nasoalmo #nationalSoloAlbumMonth #Recording #Songwriting

2024 NaSoAlMo Day 12/30

Nothing. Sorry.

#2024Nasoalmo #Guitar #Music #nasoalmo #nationalSoloAlbumMonth #Recording #Songwriting

I added a melody and lyrics to one song.

That’s all.

https://robertjames1971.blog/2024/11/12/2024-nasoalmo-day-11-30/

#2024Nasoalmo #Guitar #Music #nasoalmo #nationalSoloAlbumMonth #Recording #Songwriting

One third of the way through November. How are we looking?

Well, on day 10 I put rhythm guitars onto two songs. I did not run direct, I played through my amplifier’s speaker and it was glorious.

Over all we now have seven songs, all in 7/8 time for a total runtime of about 30 minutes. I think I am done with adding songs, unless I decide to add four songs in 4/4 time… naw. Up next is writing lyrics and melodies. My least favorite part of these song writing challenge games. Oh well.

https://robertjames1971.blog/2024/11/11/2024-nasoalmo-day-10-30/

#2024Nasoalmo #Guitar #Music #nasoalmo #nationalSoloAlbumMonth #Recording #Songwriting

I just ran out of rhythm guitar parts to record for this month’s music project. I guess I have to start writing lyrics now. Yuck.

I played through a speaker though! Kick ass! I used my Deluxe Reverb and actually made noises that you could hear. Thankfully my wife was upstairs on her computer with big headphones on so I hooked up my little attenuator thingie, gave the volume knob on the amp a nice twist up, and the attenuation knob on the little attenuator thingie a solid turn down. I got a little tube overdrive without blowing the roof off the house. Sweet.

Look at the amp, with the power light actually on!

https://www.flickr.com/photos/robj_1971/54130898759/in/dateposted/

Now look at the blurry background. F1.8, babie!

https://www.flickr.com/photos/robj_1971/54130899544/in/dateposted/

Now look at the self timer/selfie that the nerd boy took and laugh at him for being such a tool.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/robj_1971/54130824728/in/dateposted/

https://robertjames1971.blog/2024/11/10/sunday-music/

#2024Nasoalmo #Guitar #iphoneography #Music #nasoalmo #nationalSoloAlbumMonth #Nikon #nikonZ5 #photography #Recording #Songwriting #z5

Guitars at last. Five of the seven songs got all of their rhythm guitar tracks. That’s all I managed for the day, but given it had been almost two months since I played a single note, five songs was enough. Pain. Finger tip pain. That was a thing.

Here’s hoping day 10 will be as productive. Progress, people!

https://robertjames1971.blog/2024/11/10/2024-nasoalmo-day-9-30/

#2024Nasoalmo #Guitar #Music #nasoalmo #nationalSoloAlbumMonth #Recording #Songwriting

Same old same old. I added another song. Full song form with MIDI bass and drums.

I am now up to seven songs. All seven are in 7/8 time. I had this thought early on about taking a bunch of unrelated songs and gluing them together into a big medley. How about this… seven songs in 7/8 time and call the medley, “Sevens.”

That sounds groovy, doesn’t it?

Guitars today… if it kills me.

https://robertjames1971.blog/2024/11/09/2024-nasoalmo-day-8-30/

#2024Nasoalmo #Guitar #Music #nasoalmo #nationalSoloAlbumMonth #Recording #Songwriting

Forward progress has been made. A little bit. One, long, slow, dirge of a new song. Like all of them so far, it’s just MIDI bass and drums, but it’s something. It’s more than yesterday’s nothing.

Here’s hoping we (meaning I) start tracking some guitars tomorrow.

https://robertjames1971.blog/2024/11/08/2024-nasoalmo-day-7-30/

#2024Nasoalmo #Guitar #Music #nasoalmo #nationalSoloAlbumMonth #Recording #Songwriting

Nothing happened yesterday. I started work at about 5:30am, left at 1:00, did some errands, made dinner for my wife and screwed it up, then went to the Iron Maiden show in Worcester.

All in all a productive day, but nothing happened on the National Solo Album Month front. Hoping for better today.

https://robertjames1971.blog/2024/11/07/2024-nasoalmo-day-6-30/

#2024Nasoalmo #Guitar #Music #nasoalmo #nationalSoloAlbumMonth #Recording #Songwriting

Look at me, acting like nothing happened. Just whistling past the fucking graveyard.

I added one more song last night. I’m up to five. They all have a complete form but currently are just midi bass and drums. No guitars, no lyrics, no vocals, no hope, no belief in a better future for our kids, just midi bass and drums.

https://robertjames1971.blog/2024/11/06/2024-nasoalmo-day-5-30/

#2024Nasoalmo #Guitar #Music #nasoalmo #nationalSoloAlbumMonth #Recording #Songwriting

Nothing. No progress. No advances. No music. I thought about it a lot, but I didn’t have time or energy or ambition to do anything.

I expect similar results today.

https://robertjames1971.blog/2024/11/05/2024-nasoalmo-day-4-30/

#2024Nasoalmo #Guitar #Music #nasoalmo #nationalSoloAlbumMonth #Recording #Songwriting