Ambiance I: Moonlight Shores

Produced for the FAMM September Ambiance contest.

Track title: Moonlight Shores

NOTES:
I actually started thinking about what I wanted to do back when the vote was still being heald. Seeing the landslide going for ambiance I started thinking mainly what Ambiance reprisented. Always my mind came back to gentle flowing water and soft sounds of the night.

When I got started (September Fifth), I set out with a distinct 'required' set of instruments in mind. I started with something that gently lapped on and off like waves, then as I progressed the song and found my footing, I started applying soft rhythm to the song.
I wanted to push the ambiance feel as far into a strong ambiance as I could without making it intrude. So all the attacks on every instrument are softened. Even the bell sounds like it came echoed through the wall.

The single violin melody was the hardest part. The high pitched notes were so sharp they cut into the softness of the song when it was loud enough to hear the lower pitched notes. However, I found a way to balance the high notes above C,4 for the low notes, and managed to get the clarity of the instrument in.

The sharp strikes of the Pizzicato strings about half way through the song may seem out of place for an ambiant piece, but after listening to them and ensuring they balanced in right, I'm sure you'll agree that they do not cause the song to cut up the soft flow, but compliment the dynamics perfectly.

As a final test, I've had the song running for two hours straight on infinite repeat. It has not intterrupted my thoughts.

I think my ambiance is a success.

So enjoy this six minute piece.