Riff-Off 3.1: Muzzy Notes

[Pink Unicorn Horsey]

PLEASE READ THE ENTIRE POST BEFORE VOTING!

(It's a little different this time around.)​

You are rating one of sixteen riffs in Round 1 of the February 2010 Riff-Off. Each of the other fifteen riffs can be heard and rated in the Tips and Clips room. More information about the Riff-Off can be found here.

Contrary to previous Riff-Off tournaments, this month's Riff-Off has no bracket; each riff will be rated on an individual basis according to a seven-point scale. Once all of the polls have closed, the scores for each riff will be averaged, and the eight contestants with the highest average scores will advance to Round 2.

I encourage you to score each of the sixteen riffs. You may wish to listen to each riff before voting in order to establish a baseline. Of course, you are free to score riffs however you like, in whatever order you like. You could even give each riff the same score, if your impressions dictate so. It's all in your hands!

Because not all contestants have access to the same quality of recording equipment, your voting decision should be based first on the actual composition, second on the player's execution of the riff. Try to look past recording quality. Some questions you may want to ask yourself while considering which way to vote: What is the emotional impact of the riff? How original is the riff? Does the riff inspire me? Would I want to hear a whole song built off this riff?

Note that each contestant has chosen a battle name for the Riff-Off; their identities have been hidden from all other contestants and the voting public, and will be revealed at the end of the Riff-Off, when a champion is crowned.

Lastly, while comments are strongly encouraged, please realize that each contestant put personal time and creative energy into his or her submission. If you have any critique to provide in this thread, give the contestants the courtesy of making it constructive. This competition is built on the premises of fun and musical growth.

Here is a link to this contestant's Round 1 riff: Muzzy Notes

If you run into any technical issues or have other questions regarding the Riff-Off, PM or email me (kgmessier at gmail dot com).

Have fun!

- Keith

 

[astrozombie]

Re: Riff-Off 3.1: Muzzy Notes

Very cool. Fresh, yet familiar.

nothing bad to say, except that I dont like that weird piezo kind of acoustic pickup sound.

but thats a personal thing, didnt affect the riff at all in my ears.

 

[daemon barbeque]

Re: Riff-Off 3.1: Muzzy Notes

Yess, very nice feeling and nice playing!

 

[GoDrex]

Re: Riff-Off 3.1: Muzzy Notes

nice playing but too familar

 

[tone4days]

Re: Riff-Off 3.1: Muzzy Notes

excellent
one of only two 6's i gave (i didnt even give myself 6)

 

[PFDarkside]

Re: Riff-Off 3.1: Muzzy Notes

I like the harmonic at the end, I'd like to hear a few more throughout the riff too.

Good job, I like the feel. Maybe a tough more melody? But well done.

 

[B2D]

Re: Riff-Off 3.1: Muzzy Notes

Very cool. A well-done acoustic riff is always a neat thing to hear in these competitions.

 

[Gamera]

Re: Riff-Off 3.1: Muzzy Notes

Well done. Sounds very professional. It doesn't necessarily take me anywhere though. But I acknowledge that can be a challenge with just a riff, not a complete song or passage.

 

[misterwhizzy]

Re: Riff-Off 3.1: Muzzy Notes

This is one of those riffs that I can totally place on a soundtrack. It's a Western, and a group of gunmen are riding horses alongside a train. They're out in the open, and they're nervous. If they're good guys, they're expecting to be assaulted by bandits any second. If they're bad guys, they're about to try to rob the train, but they're not that confident they can get the job done, or there's some sort of dissent in the ranks.

As soon as I heard it, I saw the scene immediately. It struck me very much, and I think this is part of the goal of a riff.

 

[sosomething]

Re: Riff-Off 3.1: Muzzy Notes

minor chords with pentatonic dongles thrown in equals happy time.

adam likes acousticals.

 

[DrNewcenstein]

Re: Riff-Off 3.1: Muzzy Notes

Never cared for that acoustic tone, personally.

However, the riff itself is executed very well, and that's what matters.

 

[Redmist]

Re: Riff-Off 3.1: Muzzy Notes

I like this one - sets the scene well for a stonkin' whole band explosion, and well played.

 

[elscorcho]

Re: Riff-Off 3.1: Muzzy Notes

:clap: +1 on all the positive comments.....

 

[Blue Calx]

Re: Riff-Off 3.1: Muzzy Notes

I do like that tone, but the riff sounds recycled. Well-played, but my attention was wandering.

 

[JollyRoger523]

Re: Riff-Off 3.1: Muzzy Notes

This one brought the mental picture of a western with a the main character riding off into some big adventure. Not many riffs immediately place a picture in my head like that. Good job.

 

[DankStar]

Re: Riff-Off 3.1: Muzzy Notes

I just took a biplane ride over the southwest. nice.

 

[Tor]

Re: Riff-Off 3.1: Muzzy Notes

Cool, I like acoustic stuff. I agree with those that say it might be too familiar, though.

 

[Lazarus1140]

Re: Riff-Off 3.1: Muzzy Notes

:clap: +1 on all the positive comments.....

+2