Riff-Off 3.1: The Apprentice

[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: The Apprentice

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: The Apprentice

Nice tone, original idea.

However, I wish it the pedal tone behind it wasnt just one static thing.

think "One" by metallica. similar, and shoes what I mean.

well done.

 

[daemon barbeque]

Re: Riff-Off 3.1: The Apprentice

Nice idea, a constant feel and focused theme. Nice!

 

[GoDrex]

Re: Riff-Off 3.1: The Apprentice

reminds me of AIC

 

[tone4days]

Re: Riff-Off 3.1: The Apprentice

nicely played - hard to really latch onto as a memorable riff - probably advance worthy

 

[misterwhizzy]

Re: Riff-Off 3.1: The Apprentice

hard to really latch onto as a memorable riff

I disagree entirely. I know I'll be thinking about this all week trying to fit something like it into my playing. This is something I just can't do, and it was executed BEAUTIFULLY. It's emotional, subdued, and I have a hard time finding any flaws in it.

I WISH I could do this. I'm trying to justify a 6, but I think that's reserved for stuff like Spock's riff last month that I was raving about. I don't know. Once I listen to the rest of the entries, I'll decide if it deserves a 5 or 6. Hey Keith, how about a 5 and a half option?

 

[PFDarkside]

Re: Riff-Off 3.1: The Apprentice

I like the tone and mood, especially the drone bass. This is the kind of stuff I entertain myself with at 1 in the morning. Don't hate me, but it really reminds me of the intro to the first Creed album (which I still think has some great riffs). I might like to see it extended a bit to see what's coming, be it a chord modulation or a change in the melody. Well played.

 

[Gamera]

Re: Riff-Off 3.1: The Apprentice

You're dangling a carrot in front of me but not allowing me to taste it. I really want to hear more to this. I like what I hear but it's almost too brief. I want to hear those strummed parts played more aggressively. But then I ask myself "is it meant to be mellow?" I just can't tell from this offering.

 

[B2D]

Re: Riff-Off 3.1: The Apprentice

Don't hate me, but it really reminds me of the intro to the first Creed album (which I still think has some great riffs). I might like to see it extended a bit to see what's coming, be it a chord modulation or a change in the melody. Well played.

My thoughts as well. It does bear a resemblance to "Torn" by Creed but that's meant to be a compliment as it's not a bad song.

I feel like this riff is nice and pretty and ethereal but there's something else brooding beneath the surface that the listener isn't being exposed to. I feel like I need more movement and a change at some point.

 

[guitfiddle]

Re: Riff-Off 3.1: The Apprentice

Vibey goodness. One more round of this harmonized maybe, then the heavy stuff rolls in. I dig it.

 

[sosomething]

Re: Riff-Off 3.1: The Apprentice

I'm sure it wasn't intentional, but...

 

[PRSguy]

Re: Riff-Off 3.1: The Apprentice

I'm sure it wasn't intentional, but...

I like the riff alot I think it has alot of potential to become a great song. As far as the comparison to "Torn" maybe the first chord other than that its different

 

[sosomething]

Re: Riff-Off 3.1: The Apprentice

Oh I know there are differences - it's certainly not a rip-off by any means

but it's in the same key using mostly the same notes and is even about the same tone.

very reminiscent, and it made me think instantly of the creed song (which usually isn't good)

 

[misterwhizzy]

Re: Riff-Off 3.1: The Apprentice

very reminiscent, and it made me think instantly of the creed song (which usually isn't good)

I'm calling you out, Adam! You're a Closet Creed-ologist!

 

[DrNewcenstein]

Re: Riff-Off 3.1: The Apprentice

Haven't heard that disc in years, and IIRC I didn't care for it at the time (hence it's not in my regular rotation), so I can't comment either way on the similarity.

I like it.

 

[sosomething]

Re: Riff-Off 3.1: The Apprentice

I'm calling you out, Adam! You're a Closet Creed-ologist!

my secret shame, revealed.

 

[crusty philtrum]

Re: Riff-Off 3.1: The Apprentice

Nice. Definitely has an ambience, a mood about it. If i could change anything about it, i'd like to hear a little bit of movement, maybe between the bass drone and the higher notes. I like the ambiguity of a certain amount of sweetness on the top with the implied foreboding and malevolence of the bass.

 

[Blue Calx]

Re: Riff-Off 3.1: The Apprentice

I know we're not supposed to vote based on tone, but this contestant made a conscious decision to use a chorused clean sound. IMO, that makes it part of the riff, and I've never been a fan of clean, chorus-y and brooding.

Well played in any case.

 

[Redmist]

Re: Riff-Off 3.1: The Apprentice

Maybe not totally original, but it flows really well and speaks loads, as well as having good tone and timing.

Not a lot to it, but sets up the rest of the song superbly.
I gave this a 5.

 

[JollyRoger523]

Re: Riff-Off 3.1: The Apprentice

Nicely done. I can see this one as being an intro and them BAM it gets real heavy.