Comments on: Pink Floyd - Comfortably Numb: Hear What Happens When You Play Two Separate Copies Of The Guitar Solo 15 Seconds Apart http://www.techdo.com/pink-floyd-comfortably-numb-hear-what-happens-when-you-play-two-separate-copies-of-the-guitar-solo-15-seconds-apart/ How to get the most out of Technology and the Internet Mon, 06 Oct 2008 17:36:01 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5 By: Travis http://www.techdo.com/pink-floyd-comfortably-numb-hear-what-happens-when-you-play-two-separate-copies-of-the-guitar-solo-15-seconds-apart/#comment-1943 Travis Tue, 12 Feb 2008 10:22:44 +0000 http://www.techdo.com/pink-floyd-comfortably-numb-hear-what-happens-when-you-play-two-separate-copies-of-the-guitar-solo-15-seconds-apart/#comment-1943 My take on this... "The guitar solo of this song is so perfect that even if you play two copies 15 seconds apart they sync up and compliment each other creating something worth hearing." Compliment? Yes. Sync up? No. Not at all. For them to sync up, I should hear distinguishable parallel or chordal harmonies, or perhaps counterpoint between the two phrases. Instead, it sounds like two guys haphazardly jamming at once. One thing that seems to give the illusion of intentionality is the phenomenon where one line goes up high when the other line goes low, creating moments of pseudo-harmony and minimizing dissonant clashes. But this phenomenon is not due to some planning on the part of Gilmour, but rather due to the natural ebb and flow of a well constructed solo. A good soloist is not going to stay in the same register for too long. Instead, they will play a section in one neck position, and then move up or down to intensify or de-intensify the feel and emotion of the passage. Gilmour does this like a champ, which is why it is a truly great solo, but still purely intuitive and unplanned in nature. My take on this…

"The guitar solo of this song is so perfect that even if you play two copies 15 seconds apart they sync up and compliment each other creating something worth hearing."

Compliment? Yes. Sync up? No. Not at all. For them to sync up, I should hear distinguishable parallel or chordal harmonies, or perhaps counterpoint between the two phrases. Instead, it sounds like two guys haphazardly jamming at once.

One thing that seems to give the illusion of intentionality is the phenomenon where one line goes up high when the other line goes low, creating moments of pseudo-harmony and minimizing dissonant clashes. But this phenomenon is not due to some planning on the part of Gilmour, but rather due to the natural ebb and flow of a well constructed solo.

A good soloist is not going to stay in the same register for too long. Instead, they will play a section in one neck position, and then move up or down to intensify or de-intensify the feel and emotion of the passage.

Gilmour does this like a champ, which is why it is a truly great solo, but still purely intuitive and unplanned in nature.

]]> By: Jimbo... http://www.techdo.com/pink-floyd-comfortably-numb-hear-what-happens-when-you-play-two-separate-copies-of-the-guitar-solo-15-seconds-apart/#comment-1901 Jimbo... Fri, 11 Jan 2008 00:17:56 +0000 http://www.techdo.com/pink-floyd-comfortably-numb-hear-what-happens-when-you-play-two-separate-copies-of-the-guitar-solo-15-seconds-apart/#comment-1901 What he said... I think David heard his studio version enough times, like the rest of us, to play it that way live, since we all know "that's the way it goes"... What he said…
I think David heard his studio version enough times, like the rest of us, to play it that way live, since we all know "that's the way it goes"…

]]> By: Azmo http://www.techdo.com/pink-floyd-comfortably-numb-hear-what-happens-when-you-play-two-separate-copies-of-the-guitar-solo-15-seconds-apart/#comment-1896 Azmo Thu, 10 Jan 2008 14:06:35 +0000 http://www.techdo.com/pink-floyd-comfortably-numb-hear-what-happens-when-you-play-two-separate-copies-of-the-guitar-solo-15-seconds-apart/#comment-1896 I'm glad we're all caught up in technicalities, and epeen showing to determine who knows more about music, rather than sitting back and listening to that splendid piece of music and enjoying it. And I'm with HP, go listen to the live version. Perfection in a studio is fine and well, perfection life is sublime. Lol, my verification code is FYKU = D I'm glad we're all caught up in technicalities, and epeen showing to determine who knows more about music, rather than sitting back and listening to that splendid piece of music and enjoying it.

And I'm with HP, go listen to the live version. Perfection in a studio is fine and well, perfection life is sublime.

Lol, my verification code is FYKU = D

]]> By: HP http://www.techdo.com/pink-floyd-comfortably-numb-hear-what-happens-when-you-play-two-separate-copies-of-the-guitar-solo-15-seconds-apart/#comment-1836 HP Wed, 02 Jan 2008 02:04:23 +0000 http://www.techdo.com/pink-floyd-comfortably-numb-hear-what-happens-when-you-play-two-separate-copies-of-the-guitar-solo-15-seconds-apart/#comment-1836 I do not want to add to this non-discussion, but even if gilmour created this studioversion solo in 500 takes, I still prefer the live version. And whatever he did to come up with the structure of this solo, listening to the live version still gives me chills. I'm tempted to say that's all that matters. This MP3 did not add to the experience, even though I'm not surprised it fits. For a short moment I was afraid you counted 666 notes or something :) I do not want to add to this non-discussion, but even if gilmour created this studioversion solo in 500 takes, I still prefer the live version. And whatever he did to come up with the structure of this solo, listening to the live version still gives me chills. I'm tempted to say that's all that matters. This MP3 did not add to the experience, even though I'm not surprised it fits. For a short moment I was afraid you counted 666 notes or something :)

]]> By: Ronald http://www.techdo.com/pink-floyd-comfortably-numb-hear-what-happens-when-you-play-two-separate-copies-of-the-guitar-solo-15-seconds-apart/#comment-1821 Ronald Wed, 26 Dec 2007 07:42:22 +0000 http://www.techdo.com/pink-floyd-comfortably-numb-hear-what-happens-when-you-play-two-separate-copies-of-the-guitar-solo-15-seconds-apart/#comment-1821 It would have been arrogant if he said "I'm right because I know what a fugue is, and your wrong because you have no taste in music." The question he asked wasn't arrogant. You are being defensive for some odd reason is all. It would have been arrogant if he said "I'm right because I know what a fugue is, and your wrong because you have no taste in music." The question he asked wasn't arrogant. You are being defensive for some odd reason is all.

]]> By: cog http://www.techdo.com/pink-floyd-comfortably-numb-hear-what-happens-when-you-play-two-separate-copies-of-the-guitar-solo-15-seconds-apart/#comment-1809 cog Sat, 22 Dec 2007 02:39:03 +0000 http://www.techdo.com/pink-floyd-comfortably-numb-hear-what-happens-when-you-play-two-separate-copies-of-the-guitar-solo-15-seconds-apart/#comment-1809 im with Matt..that's what he did on most solos. record 10 or 20 takes and then break each part into meters and use the best of. and as a guitarist who's done the same the thing, it takes a HELLUVA lot more work (but sounds better to me) to actually work the whole thing out, note for note from start to finish im with Matt..that's what he did on most solos. record 10 or 20 takes and then break each part into meters and use the best of. and as a guitarist who's done the same the thing, it takes a HELLUVA lot more work (but sounds better to me) to actually work the whole thing out, note for note from start to finish

]]> By: Dick http://www.techdo.com/pink-floyd-comfortably-numb-hear-what-happens-when-you-play-two-separate-copies-of-the-guitar-solo-15-seconds-apart/#comment-1784 Dick Fri, 14 Dec 2007 01:07:43 +0000 http://www.techdo.com/pink-floyd-comfortably-numb-hear-what-happens-when-you-play-two-separate-copies-of-the-guitar-solo-15-seconds-apart/#comment-1784 Matt, Did David Gilmour steal your girlfriend? Matt,

Did David Gilmour steal your girlfriend?

]]> By: ryan http://www.techdo.com/pink-floyd-comfortably-numb-hear-what-happens-when-you-play-two-separate-copies-of-the-guitar-solo-15-seconds-apart/#comment-1765 ryan Sun, 09 Dec 2007 20:29:18 +0000 http://www.techdo.com/pink-floyd-comfortably-numb-hear-what-happens-when-you-play-two-separate-copies-of-the-guitar-solo-15-seconds-apart/#comment-1765 matt, wouldn't that be something that is "well though out" then? whether he spliced it together on an editing station or inside his head, it is still the creative process at work matt,

wouldn't that be something that is "well though out" then? whether he spliced it together on an editing station or inside his head, it is still the creative process at work

]]> By: matt http://www.techdo.com/pink-floyd-comfortably-numb-hear-what-happens-when-you-play-two-separate-copies-of-the-guitar-solo-15-seconds-apart/#comment-1762 matt Sat, 08 Dec 2007 19:43:12 +0000 http://www.techdo.com/pink-floyd-comfortably-numb-hear-what-happens-when-you-play-two-separate-copies-of-the-guitar-solo-15-seconds-apart/#comment-1762 it's not a well thought out solo, gilmour in the studio would record many many many solos for one song, then edit them so the best parts of each solo make for one good solo it's not a well thought out solo, gilmour in the studio would record many many many solos for one song, then edit them so the best parts of each solo make for one good solo

]]> By: Gino http://www.techdo.com/pink-floyd-comfortably-numb-hear-what-happens-when-you-play-two-separate-copies-of-the-guitar-solo-15-seconds-apart/#comment-1756 Gino Fri, 07 Dec 2007 16:17:58 +0000 http://www.techdo.com/pink-floyd-comfortably-numb-hear-what-happens-when-you-play-two-separate-copies-of-the-guitar-solo-15-seconds-apart/#comment-1756 Brian May does this with almost every solo with a digital delay. AND he uses a quarter for a pick. Brian May does this with almost every solo with a digital delay. AND he uses a quarter for a pick.

]]> By: Charlie http://www.techdo.com/pink-floyd-comfortably-numb-hear-what-happens-when-you-play-two-separate-copies-of-the-guitar-solo-15-seconds-apart/#comment-1732 Charlie Tue, 04 Dec 2007 19:25:09 +0000 http://www.techdo.com/pink-floyd-comfortably-numb-hear-what-happens-when-you-play-two-separate-copies-of-the-guitar-solo-15-seconds-apart/#comment-1732 Yes Matthew, apparently everyone assumes guitarists can't use classical techniques in modern music. As kids you're taught songs that are called "rounds" that are based on this same principle, has everyone forgotten that? Yes Matthew, apparently everyone assumes guitarists can't use classical techniques in modern music. As kids you're taught songs that are called "rounds" that are based on this same principle, has everyone forgotten that?

]]> By: Michael http://www.techdo.com/pink-floyd-comfortably-numb-hear-what-happens-when-you-play-two-separate-copies-of-the-guitar-solo-15-seconds-apart/#comment-1731 Michael Tue, 04 Dec 2007 19:21:41 +0000 http://www.techdo.com/pink-floyd-comfortably-numb-hear-what-happens-when-you-play-two-separate-copies-of-the-guitar-solo-15-seconds-apart/#comment-1731 Matthew, A fugue takes on much more intricacies of melodic embellishment i.e. stretto, inversion, compression, etc. This is more like a round so it is pretty arrogant to assume that no one knows what a fugue is. This just proved a point that you don't know fugal techniques so be careful on throwing out 18th century musical lingo. Matthew,
A fugue takes on much more intricacies of melodic embellishment i.e. stretto, inversion, compression, etc. This is more like a round so it is pretty arrogant to assume that no one knows what a fugue is. This just proved a point that you don't know fugal techniques so be careful on throwing out 18th century musical lingo.

]]> By: Matthew http://www.techdo.com/pink-floyd-comfortably-numb-hear-what-happens-when-you-play-two-separate-copies-of-the-guitar-solo-15-seconds-apart/#comment-1730 Matthew Tue, 04 Dec 2007 16:42:56 +0000 http://www.techdo.com/pink-floyd-comfortably-numb-hear-what-happens-when-you-play-two-separate-copies-of-the-guitar-solo-15-seconds-apart/#comment-1730 No-one here has heard of a fugue then? No-one here has heard of a fugue then?

]]> By: Michael http://www.techdo.com/pink-floyd-comfortably-numb-hear-what-happens-when-you-play-two-separate-copies-of-the-guitar-solo-15-seconds-apart/#comment-1721 Michael Mon, 03 Dec 2007 20:34:04 +0000 http://www.techdo.com/pink-floyd-comfortably-numb-hear-what-happens-when-you-play-two-separate-copies-of-the-guitar-solo-15-seconds-apart/#comment-1721 Monkey, you are exactly correct. It is without a doubt one of the best laid out guitar solos. The melody of Gilmore's solo lends itself very well to contrapuntal explorations and rhythmic manipulations. The key of B minor/ D major is of little consequence. Monkey, you are exactly correct. It is without a doubt one of the best laid out guitar solos. The melody of Gilmore's solo lends itself very well to contrapuntal explorations and rhythmic manipulations. The key of B minor/ D major is of little consequence.

]]> By: monkey http://www.techdo.com/pink-floyd-comfortably-numb-hear-what-happens-when-you-play-two-separate-copies-of-the-guitar-solo-15-seconds-apart/#comment-1705 monkey Sat, 01 Dec 2007 17:03:49 +0000 http://www.techdo.com/pink-floyd-comfortably-numb-hear-what-happens-when-you-play-two-separate-copies-of-the-guitar-solo-15-seconds-apart/#comment-1705 It goes beyond simply being the same key and the same tempo, there's quite literally millions of examples where this manner of duplication would NOT work. It works in this case because its a well thought out solo with a very specific melodic theme from start to finish, a trademark of Gilmour's. ;-) It goes beyond simply being the same key and the same tempo, there's quite literally millions of examples where this manner of duplication would NOT work. It works in this case because its a well thought out solo with a very specific melodic theme from start to finish, a trademark of Gilmour's. ;-)

]]> By: phil http://www.techdo.com/pink-floyd-comfortably-numb-hear-what-happens-when-you-play-two-separate-copies-of-the-guitar-solo-15-seconds-apart/#comment-1677 phil Wed, 28 Nov 2007 17:10:40 +0000 http://www.techdo.com/pink-floyd-comfortably-numb-hear-what-happens-when-you-play-two-separate-copies-of-the-guitar-solo-15-seconds-apart/#comment-1677 sounds great ! but this happens commonly cause peter is right sounds great !

but this happens commonly cause peter is right

]]> By: Nikola http://www.techdo.com/pink-floyd-comfortably-numb-hear-what-happens-when-you-play-two-separate-copies-of-the-guitar-solo-15-seconds-apart/#comment-1609 Nikola Mon, 19 Nov 2007 10:07:06 +0000 http://www.techdo.com/pink-floyd-comfortably-numb-hear-what-happens-when-you-play-two-separate-copies-of-the-guitar-solo-15-seconds-apart/#comment-1609 when someone is good , he is good no matter what you do with his song. Pink floyd is legendary group so no further explanation is needed. when someone is good , he is good no matter what you do with his song. Pink floyd is legendary group so no further explanation is needed.

]]> By: Peter http://www.techdo.com/pink-floyd-comfortably-numb-hear-what-happens-when-you-play-two-separate-copies-of-the-guitar-solo-15-seconds-apart/#comment-1600 Peter Sun, 18 Nov 2007 01:26:46 +0000 http://www.techdo.com/pink-floyd-comfortably-numb-hear-what-happens-when-you-play-two-separate-copies-of-the-guitar-solo-15-seconds-apart/#comment-1600 Thisis a great song, but the reasons they sync up is because they are in the same tempo and key. Thisis a great song, but the reasons they sync up is because they are in the same tempo and key.

]]> By: Blackhorus http://www.techdo.com/pink-floyd-comfortably-numb-hear-what-happens-when-you-play-two-separate-copies-of-the-guitar-solo-15-seconds-apart/#comment-1589 Blackhorus Fri, 16 Nov 2007 17:05:59 +0000 http://www.techdo.com/pink-floyd-comfortably-numb-hear-what-happens-when-you-play-two-separate-copies-of-the-guitar-solo-15-seconds-apart/#comment-1589 Even Pink Floyd is worth hearing....Without the mix :) Even Pink Floyd is worth hearing….Without the mix :)

]]>