Enya's Watermark - By Amethyste on her new theremin!

Amey, 

How did you get the impression that I didn't like your theremin rendition of WATERMARK?

I DID like it, and clearly said I thought it was "very nicely played"! 

Coalport,

After re-reading your post, I guess no I didn't understand your sentiment, at first sight. I am sorry about that. :( It's been a log weekend of studying as well for work and apparently, even my basic skills in reading are pretty horrendous haha.

Now I understand what you mean and yes I agree with you. :) Thank you for your comments, it's always a pleasure to have you (and everyone) checking what I am up to.

" it's always a pleasure to have you (and everyone) checking what I am up to." - Amey

LOL ;-) .. For me, "checking" is the wrong word.. Enjoying is probably the word I would choose.

Yes - the way you did this piece is a LONG way from Enya's original, IMO.. Usually, when I love an original piece, I dont "get into" new interpretations - unless they are exceptional.. I find most (even when done by the originators) "re-makes" dissapointing if not irritating - and I particularly find this for instrumental versions of songs.. Removing the lyrics and vocal intonations usually, IMO, leaves a huge hole which no other solo instrument can replace.

But you managed it! .. I did miss Enya's vocals - perhaps this is the reason I suggested you did a version with both your voice and theremin... And I did need to play Enya's original after listening to your version 10x - because I missed the voice..

Fred.

ps - I am really interested in your subjective opinion on the questions Dewster asked .. I am also interested in the volume response, and whether this has been modified / corrected on you E-Pro, or whether it is the original .. Whatever it is, it was your control of dynamics which probably impressed me most about your playing.

Fred wrote: Yes - the way you did this piece is a LONG way from Enya's original........I did miss Enya's vocals - 

What voicals did you miss? As far as I know, Enya's original composition was a piano instrumental arrangement. There was never a voice on it until Sarah Brightman (whom I cannot abide) put one on it in the 1990's. 

Fred wrote: Yes - the way you did this piece is a LONG way from Enya's original........I did miss Enya's vocals - 

What voicals did you miss? As far as I know, Enya's original composition was a piano instrumental arrangement. There was never a voice on it until Sarah Brightman (whom I cannot abide) put one on it in the 1990's. 

Coalport

 There is no lyrical vocals per se, but I think there are "aaaaaaaaaaah"s in there... :)

"Enya's original composition was a piano instrumental arrangement. " - Peter

Vocals was the wrong word - I can hear Enya's voice in the backing pad.. If its not there - well - I can hear it anyway! ;-)

Fred.

"There is no lyrical vocals per se, but I think there are "aaaaaaaaaaah"s in there... :)" - Amey

Thanks Amey - A bolt of panic shot through me when I read Peters comment.. Having just listened to Watermark by Enya a few hours ago, I had heard her voice.. I was frightened to play it again, in case that voice had been in my imagination, and I would never hear it again because I knew it wasnt really there.....

But I did play it, just before I posted my last... And whether its there or not, and whether its Enya or not, to me doesnt matter... At least (if its an illusion) I havent lost that illusion.. I can still hear it!

The "truth" is of no importance.. There was a time when knowing the "truth" was important to me - and I searched it out - and many things I loved left my life because I found them to be "untrue".. 

"Where ignorance is bliss, tis folly to be wise!" - Sometimes..

Fred.

Added ->

I just listened to the Sarah Brightman version, and oh, that is almost painful IMO!

I dont know what is wrong with it - is it technically flawed in any particular way? All I know is that I really dont like it - I would sooner listen to an off-key theremin!

Dewster ~ I'll try to answer you in a non scientific way lol.

I think I have just a bad habit of using a wide vibrato before, when when I got onto the Epro, the sound of my vibrato was so much more pronounced, that I decided to make it narrower so it is more pleasing. I know my Wavefront is not linear and I am starting ti understand more about this playing more my Epro. Making sense or not really?

Very nice Amethyst!  Thank you so much!

"I worked pretty hard on this in the last few months and when I got my pro, that's when I said bye bye to wide vibrato. Not always, but most of the time."  - Amethyst

So what is your subjective opinion of the pitch field on the Epro compared to the wavefront?  Is it wider?  (I ask that because wide vibrato is easier to do with a narrow pitch field.)  Is the pitch field adjustable in useful ways, or is there pretty much just one sweet spot?

The Epro I got, its serial # is 151. It was made in 2005 and I think at that time, it was the first year of production. It is hard to compare with one that has been fitted with the volume module, so I will assume that mine doesn't have it. Regardless of not having the module, the Epro is much much easier (like a dream) to control the dynamics than my wavefront. THe volume on the wavefront is abominable at best.

"The dynamics are better produced with this Epro, the crescendos and decrescendos are much easier to achieve than on my wavefront, it really does mirror your inner feelings more."

Does the volume field seem smoother, less snappy, etc.?

Fred wrote: I just listened to the Sarah Brightman version, and oh, that is almost painful IMO!

I dont know what is wrong with it - is it technically flawed in any particular way? All I know is that I really dont like it - I would sooner listen to an off-key theremin!

Miss Brightman has a devoted and loyal worldwide following, but to me she has always seemed over-costumed, over made-up, over-produced, Las Vegasized, and basically insincere. She is neither particularly pretty, nor is she a particularly good singer, but she has been cleverly packaged to appear as if she is both.

For many people she is one of the greatest artists of the 20th century.

That's SHOWBIZ!

Ah, "singers hired for their ability to dance" as I recently heard someone say on the TV.

Ms Brightman started her rise to fame with the raunchy dance troupe Hot Gossip.

http://youtu.be/V7brFQTxKRw

Then she married Andrew Lloyd-Webber, possibly for his looks.