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Determination
by kassia

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Song comments: 26
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Submitted on: Jul 31, 2008 - 11:11:01 AM
Last Updated: Jul 31 2008 - 11:11:01 AM
Description This is the 3rd and final installment of my Decisions series. I've used much of the same instrumentation and structure as the two previous pieces.

I've come to call the trilogy: Destiny

Here are the first two:

Decisions

Doubts





Feedback and suggestions would be greatly appreciated! Thanks for listening - Enjoy!

ps- I took a few percussion loops and totally tore them apart, mixed them up and spit them back out. Didn't know if that counts as "some loops" or not.
Fan List

RadioChuck

davisamerica

magnatone

Reinholt56

MarkHolbrook

Muse Ritual

KissMeKate

Roxylee

LHellman

Feter

drakonis

blaky smith

Skean

K.I.S.KISMET

musichead

Diviner

peacepiano

Karmatoburn

dajama

EZamor

Henke

thetiler

Parichayaka

MidiOrleans
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davisamerica said 161 days ago
well...
feedback .... it is a very nice mix suggestions ... don't stop!

magnatone said 161 days ago
Determination
As you already know shay, I absolutely LOVE this! I'm amazed at how quickly you turned this into something so magnificent! I love your key changes, transitions, and that incredible build. It's such a distinct pleasure to hear your music become all that it is becoming. Thanks for sharing this with all of us.

Reinholt56 said 160 days ago
Hi Kassia.....
This is another gorgeous piece of music, full of emotion, hope and energy whilst not being overpowering.

There was something about the recording that bothered me a little but I can't explain it to you as it may actually be my ears. The mix was basically muffled or not crisp, but it was really secondary to the effect the music had on me, so please don't be overly concerned.

The metallic-sounding last part came back to a more crisp sound, so I don't know what to make of it all. The effect may be intentional, from your own point of view.

The were what seemed to be artifacts, that bounced between the speakers between 2:10 and 2:40. Again they may be intended by you.

Listening purely for pleasure, the variance in the recording seemed, overall, not to detract much at all from the piece's beauty.

Take care.

Paul



kassia said 159 days ago
Paul
Thanks Paul! I will definitely take a close listen to see if I can find what you are talking about. I was having some clipping problems during that part you are talking about, but thought I had gotten rid of them all. Perhaps in the process of doing that, I messed something else up! Thanks for listening - glad you enjoyed it!

MarkHolbrook said 160 days ago
Hum... doubt my talents eh!?
Christ O' mighty!!! I've bought New Age CDs that were not even 1/100 as good as this one piece!!!

So when does your stuff appear in iTunes girl!? Come on get with the program!!! :)

This is beautifully orchestrated with loads of build ups, let downs, interesting twists, attention grabbers... What more can I say.

I bow and cower in the presence of a true musical master!!! Wow simply wow...

And one last point... you want ME to give YOU production training!? I don't think so girl... I think I'm seriously outclassed and need study your methods! The production on this is marvelous! Perfect in every way I can see.

But in summary... Like DA said, "DON'T STOP!!!!"

-- Your greatest fan!

kassia said 159 days ago
Mark
Actually, Mark, I used some of your tips and tricks ON this piece, so you already ARE giving me lessons! Really, thanks, as always for your great comments. You always make me smile. I'm really glad you like this one. This entire trilogy has really been a challenge for me - but in a good way. Thanks for all your support!

MarkHolbrook said 134 days ago
Well Shay...
If you used my tips and techniques then you've mastered them better than I ever did! This is still a gorgeous wonderful piece but needs to be sent out with a headphone users warning to beware of 2:20!!!

Such a great tune, such a great artist, you will have my support as long as I can provide it!

KissMeKate said 160 days ago
I've discovered that I'm picky about percussion
I truly love this song, and think it is one of Shay's more ambitious undertakings, which is extremely exciting to witness.

We've been having a rather feisty debate about some of the drums since the first draft I listened to. I think my lack of theory and vocabulary is an obstacle...

But in spite of being picky and not being able to explain what I hear that I think might be tweaked, I must say: Good job baby! I'm so proud of you. Smooches.

Roxylee said 160 days ago
Absolutely gorgeous, Shay
and when I grow up I want to compose like you. Beautiful instrumentation, emotion, arranging. I'll leave the technical stuff to the composer geniuses in here, and just say my ears loved this. :-)

kassia said 159 days ago
Roxylee
Psst...I'll leave the technical stuff to them too. I mostly write the music that MY ears love - and am touched when other people love it too. Thank you.

Feter said 160 days ago
Determination
awesome piano spirit here ..very lovely arrangment ..
with great acompanied and singing along with the piano
yes your theme lines deeply express the way of your
lines as singing lines and they sings wonderfully ..
thnx alot for sharin such gem !!!!

kassia said 159 days ago
Feter
your praise is always poetry. I look forward to hearing what you think of each and every song. Thank you. It's interesting that you say singing - I almost added voices to this one! Glad you could hear that's what I was trying to convey, even without the voices in there.

drakonis said 160 days ago
Ahhh... this journey is complete
So wonderful. As you can imagine, I am delighted by you choosing a french horn for the opening, really regal entry, and such an energetic piece... this has almost an Enya-like confident bubbly effervescence, I love the build to the key-change, short but powerful. The percussion is good... but mostly what I like is that this is a really crisp "open" sounding mix, really clear, like high mountain air. I like the fun way you re-voice your motif, and the last one (hammered dulcimer) is very pretty. I wince slightly at your fade-out instead of an arpeggiated final chord, but... its your journey, and this hints that the journey continues :-) Lovely trilogy, thank you for writing such pieces and sharing them! You know who this piece reminds me of? Futzpucker :-) Sounds a little like something he would come up with, don't you think?
ttfn,
Drakonis

kassia said 159 days ago
drakonis
Thanks, as always for your generous feedback and support. Perhaps you should look into this problem you have with fade-outs. ;-) Don't know if it is deserved, but I consider it extremely flattering to sound like Futzpucker. Thank you.

said 160 days ago
I have
heard this else where of course but would not want people hear to think I have ignored such a fine piece...bravo

kassia said 159 days ago
Shadow
Thanks Dave. Very sweet of you to stop by both places. I appreciate it - glad you like the song!

Skean said 160 days ago
"some loops"
Too me all what you do become loops in digital you don't play it live... I mean even if I hook my guitar and record it in GB I do a loop and put it together with some drums ..etc.. but that drums have someone else done before and if I feel I can cut and paste it.. BUT it still is loops.

This sounds good to my ears very nice composition..As Jack says don't stop! I LOVE IT.. Peace


Take care
----
Kenta

12parsecs said 158 days ago
new age
nicely done. really dig the progression(s). but especially the first one. nice mix.

tokai said 158 days ago
Another
great piece of music. A joy to listen to.

Diviner said 157 days ago
Wow
This is certainly a monumental piece that has been well composed with everything in its place. Very good, thoroughly enjoyed.

peacepiano said 156 days ago
Composition
I really admire your sense of composition. Very well put together. As for the percussion, it sounds like you used the loops more as percussion elements. No noticeable loopiness to my ears. Great stuff.

Thanks
Bill

Alannah said 156 days ago
Very Nice Kassia ....
... of course I am not one to give advice or crits .. and even if I were ... it sounded perfect to my ears ..... (including the "fade out" heh heh).

Karmatoburn said 155 days ago
big sound
Great track. Lots of wonderful changes and a super strong melodic journey. The choice of synths help keep things fresh. Excellent job with chopped percussion

Motu said 154 days ago
Great job
Hey Kass, I'm still alive been busy in the studio, an with work,, got a little time free now so came to listen,,love the tune but seems a little muffled..a hot signal maybe?,,, but all in all nice tune..Wanna do a new one? message me if you do or yahoo me,,cya take care

dajama said 153 days ago
Outstanding
A wonderful piece of music. The arrangement is terrific, with wonderful use of instruments; the instrumental 'colors' are perfect. The production is top notch, I would say. I did notice some very, very faint clipping around 00:20-00:30, but we're talking the tiniest of nits. A magnificent, inspirational piece. Nicely done. Kudos. Peace.

said 152 days ago
Determination.
Now this is what I call music. Sounds amazing !!
This is is the best I have heard soo far. This is my style of music. I am not a music expert and I am learning all the time. Kasia you are a great inspiration. Thanks for the download.
Awsome !!

Peace Dee.

SmokeyVW said 150 days ago
cinematic
great music! i am picturing this being played at the end of a romantic movie, as they just finished wrapping up all the problems and solutions, and now all that is left to do is to go out there and live life to the fullest.

thanks

Henke said 134 days ago
Exellent piece
Glad I found your music here, eventually, through your Ember take linked from Drakonis' page. I hear a lot of Magnatone in this, which is very good in my book. On for more of your stuff. Thanks!

/Henke

thetiler said 131 days ago
This
has a nice feel to it all around.

It seems I"ve been rewarded in musical listen to fun on every tune I stop by and hear from you!

Thanks for sharing this wonderful to hear tune. Love the rhythms, love how you progress and surprisingly so in a more orchestral setting 3/4 of the way through and bounce back to the calmer mood.

Like that dulcimer sound, fits in wall with all the other terrific sounds.
A great a delicate way to finish off the instrumental !
Quite something indeed.

WAy tO Go

VicDiesel said 115 days ago
Feeling assertive?
You've chosen an apt title. This track indeed sounds like you're ready to have a go at climbing to the top of the world.

Speaking of which: http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/image/0207/everest_mackenzie.jpg

Good track.


Parichayaka said 110 days ago
I really enjoyed this!
Especially the intro and outro (I love the subtle rhythm together with the dulzheimer(?) towards the end - excellent!). Lots of neat musical details and overall a very rewarding listening experience. I wasn't sure some of the percussion after 50 seconds blended with the charming harp/guitar echoes, but maybe I've just tried using GB's orchestral percussion one too many times myself:) Thanks for posting this, very nice job!

kristyjo said 81 days ago
Late -
but I just wanted to let you know that I listened to this and loved it. I always write from the perspective of someone who has a few immature musicians to play my music, so they'd better have something to do most of the time, and I can't have too many different instruments. I love your way of bringing in unusual instruments for brief moments, and then moving on to new textures and sounds.

afkingsport said 45 days ago
Very nice
You are certainly talented


Artist Profile
kassia photo
kassia

Artist Bio I guess I should tell you a little about me. I live in the mountains halfway between Santa Cruz and the Silicon Valley. I'm a music maker, animal lover, book reader and nature explorer. I play piano and french horn and can't sing worth a damn. I've ha...[more]
Artist Music
Winter Whimsy
Max's Theme
Someday
Among The Trees
Untitled
Determination
Springtide (w/Mark Holbrook)
Journey
Doubts
Decisions
Remembrance
Witch's Waltz
Lazy Afternoon (improv)
Sit Down (swing)
Sit Down
Summer Storm (with Motu)
Ember (kassiafied)
Island Hopping
Letting Go