I also try to make that top note 'move' to suit the chord sequence I am playing. So for example, if I am playing G, then G7, then C, I will play the G chord with the root (G) on top; followed by a G7 with the F on top; and finally a C with the third (E) on top. This then has a 'walking down' effect from G, to F. to E.
In the short DEMO below I have (a) played a backing STYLE 'as is', (b) the same STYLE but added in a VOICE (Horn Ensemble), and (c) the same STYLE but now with 2 VOICES (Horn Ensemble & Choir). Then I have repeated it, so you can hear the STYLE again without any VOICE added etc. In this DEMO I have panned the Horn Ensemble to the left; and the Choir to the right. When you have two voices playing together it's always a good idea to get a bit of stereo separation by panning the voices. Makes them stand out better, and you don't lose one behind the other.
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DEMO of (a) a STYLE, (b) a STYLE + 1 VOICE, (c) a STYLE + 2 VOICES
In the DEMO I have got the volume of the voices up a bit higher than I would normally have them as I wanted you to hear those voices coming through.
Arthur (abr250) has played Chris de Burgh's Lady In Red.
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https://app.box.com/s/199x6itw1xjljghu0jtj1iuufppkgx3o
When I first heard this, this is the comment I made:
What I particularly like about your backing is that you have added a 'voice' to the chord you're playing with your left hand .. strings. This adds 'body' to what you're playing. Or are those 'strings' one of the backing PARTS?
I have been caught out with this one before! When I said about the voice on the left of the split, I was told that this was 'strings' from PAD in the STYLE .. and no voice was being used to the left of the split.
Arthur replied:
You asked about the "strings" as being a left voice or if it was part of the style?? I recorded it and listened to the recording, I was not entirely satisfied with it. So I recorded it again the next morning, but this time I added "Allegro Strings" as a voice for the left hand. So it is not part of the style, but is an added left hand voice. Thought it sounded better!!
Note that these strings Arthur is using are just playing stationary chords with the left hand. When he plays the tune with the Jazz Sax a bit later he also has a 'string' sound playing the tune along with the Sax. So he has two 'voices' allocated to playing the melody, with the string sound much quieter than the Sax. In this Board we are talking about 'Voice Combinations', so here's one for you. Sax and strings .. and they sound great together. Particularly with having the strings much quieter than the Sax, so the Sax is basically providing the melody.