[mickeytwonames]

I'm going to into a studio with this on Tuesday.
I'd like it to build from something spare to something big but I don't know how to achieve it
I would be grateful for any advice of how to make this work. Instruments, voicing etc.

https://soundcloud.com/michael-chapman-pincher/wither-on-the-vine

My son done an awful crime
He copied one of mine
An my daddy did his time
He let love wither on the vine
We all let love wither on the vine

Now, If you plan a copycat crime
To let love wither on the vine
Then step aside. Step aside
Cause the love in you has died

And you’ll break a heart
Break a heart
Break a heart in two
You’ll break a heart
Break a heart
Break a heart in two           
Break a heart in two

Is it fair to suffer somebody pain
And drain a heart of tenderness and care
It’s not fair. Not even sane
To cleave a heart in twain

Don’t you do this terrible crime
Cherish what’s on your vine
Cherish what’s on your vine

If you’re loved, don’t be blind     
Don’t leave somebody to pine
It’s precious - Rare -When true hearts entwine
Cherish what’s on your vine
Cherish what’s on your vine

[Neil C]

Mickey,

In terms of building a track for me its about adding layers of instruments and then the dynamics of what your doing with them both in terms of intensity/complexity and volume.  Is it all rise or rise and fall?

So I'd start just guitar and voice then introduce some light percussion such as a shaker at 0.45. Then bring in drums and bass.at 1.48? and perhaps then add electric guitar and maybe a gentle organ.

Good luck with the studio 
 
Neil

[danieltrigger]

Personally I didn't feel that masses of instruments are missing here - I actually liked the 'stripped down' feel!

But you could perhaps add vocal harmonies to the 'break a heart in two' lines, and maybe add some bass guitar.

But as I say, I enjoyed the bare feel of the demo - just my preference.....!

[adamfarr]

Hi - I think Neil has it right. Start with no percussion and bring that it later. After that you could definitely go for keys but for the genre you could also go with some slide guitars etc. too.

A song that builds in really interesting way is Nearly Forgot My Broken Heart by Chris Cornell. It's a different song (and the lyrics are a bit dodgy). But he starts with solo mandolin and then in about 5 stages of build adds vocal, bass, strings, acoustic guitar, piano, drums, backing vocals and fuzzy lead guitar.

Great vocal on this one by the way.

[mickeytwonames]

Thanks - we did work in the studio today - now into the arranging and better guitar work - It's building nicely and I've got an optimistic ending - Great to have support and advice from the Forum

[hardtwistmusic]

I read this some time ago, and wanted to return and see how it "grew" with the familiarity.  This is a really good lyric.  I'm the wrong guy to ask about the music, but I liked it. 

[mickeytwonames]

The song is now in 'production' and I 've changed the lyrics at the end to bring in an optimistic ending -  It's building musically from a sparse opening to a big finale - I'm still in search of the 'lost chord' for one place but I hope to have something finished soon - thanks for the help.