Memories
The song memories begins with a soulful melody that evokes the act of reminiscing. It captures the nostalgic essence of the past, while acknowledging the changes that have occurred over time. However, amidst these changes, the power of cherished memories remains constant, evoking smiles and serving as the central message conveyed in the chorus.
I decided to kick off this song with a drum audio track, which was actually an assignment material from my school, WAAPA. When I first heard that drum track, it had this amazing jazz feel to it, and I knew it would be the perfect foundation for my song’s groove. But then came the tricky part – figuring out the chord progression. So, I sat down at the piano and just started playing around, trying out different combinations and melodies. After a while of experimenting and getting lost in the music, I stumbled upon something that really clicked. It was like magic! The chords came together in a way that gave the song its unique vibe and set the tone for everything that followed.
Fmaj7 – G6 – Em7 – Bbm6/G, Gb7
The inspiration for the last two chords actually came from Korean R&B music. They often use these chords to create a sense of chill and coziness, or sometimes to convey a bit of inner struggle. When I added those chords, it instantly added a new layer of emotion to the song.
Once the chord progression was in place, the melody came to me surprisingly quickly. It just flowed naturally and effortlessly. At that point, the overall feeling and vibe of the song started to take shape. It was as if I could picture someone reminiscing about a beautiful memory while listening to it.
But of course, a song like this wouldn’t feel complete without a solo section. So, I decided to feature the alto saxophone and clarinet for the solos. They brought a new level of expression and added an element of improvisation to the piece. After incorporating the solos, the first version of the song really started to come alive. After that, the first version sounds like this:
You probably noticed it too, right? The original version of the song was just way too long and, to be honest, a bit boring…
It was a major concern because if I released the song in its original form, I knew it wouldn’t captivate listeners. So, I took matters into my own hands and embarked on a restructuring journey. I made some significant changes – I trimmed down a verse, removed a bridge, and cut back on repetitive sections. In addition, I introduced new elements to enhance the overall sound, such as strings, vibraphone, and a brass section. The vibraphone, in particular, became a highlight as it added a vibrant and colorful dimension to the composition.
With these revisions in place, the song started to take on a distinct jazz vibe. I was thrilled with the transformation it underwent. To bring it all together, I devoted time to mixing and mastering, ensuring that every instrument and element blended harmoniously. And now, I’m delighted to say that the song is pretty much finished!
*By the way, I added a tape effect at the start and the end of the song to create a nostalgic atmosphere, enhancing the feeling of recalling cherished memories. It’s a small detail that adds an intimate touch to the composition, immersing the listener in a captivating musical journey.
Benson Cheung 