A Short Diary of the Making of a  Cover Song

Sam Smith's "Stay With Me" - An Acoustic Guitar Instrumental

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"Stay With Me" - An Acoustic Guitar Instrumental Cover

This is what I'd call a solo guitar work in three parts. Hmmm...seems a bit contradictory. If it is, it is fine with me. This is an off the cuff improvisation of sorts in three parts. I played and recorded them all in under 15 minutes. It is a creation that was intended to give only the spirit of the original by Sam Smith.  A very simple constuction in the work makes for a very interesting process. In that, you have to make the limited musical material interesting. With a basic harmony guitar and two melody tracks on top, I'm happy with the result. Not overbearng like I tend to be with the electric, I held firm to a more simplistic approach. Although, I couldn't resist getting some fire in there at times. I mean, I am a guitar player:)

The song consists of three main chords and an occasional fourth at the turnaround of the progression. The song is basically in a minor using a typical i-IV-vi progression. The turnaround is the creative point at which you make the decision usually on the fly. I didn't make a big deal of that but concentrated on the melodic content, especially the harmonies.  The Yamaha nylon (based on Rodrigo y Gabriela model) pulled through.  Maybe a little thin at times but overall okay. At least nothing that can't be tweaked a bit more later. Eventually, I will make sure to mic the acoustic guitars more than not. Overall, it's a better choice. 

A future classic this song will be. Long after its pop success and it's already over-exposed soundwaves begin to fade, it will surely rise again and remain one of the classic love songs of all time.

MarkJefferyCampayno
www.markgtr.com