Donald Merand

🎵 Output before Input #80 - 2022.04.01

I woke up with this melody in my head, which means I almost certainly stole it from somewhere. I turned it into something rambling and comfortable, probably because moving on is in my head today.

🎵 Output before Input #79 - 2022.03.31

Today I’m thinking about being a kid, sneaking around in the early morning, trying to be clandestine but occasionally failing in our enthusiasm.

🎵 Output before Input #78 - 2022.03.30

I’m thinking about my dad this morning, who introduced me to Frank Zappa. Growing up, he always encouraged my weirder guitar tendencies and took the stewardship of my musical taste seriously.

When I think of Frank Zappa, I think of ironic doo-wop, I think of whole tone abrasive guitar solos, and I think of crazy riffs in crazy meter. Some of that comes out here.

🎵 Output before Input #77 - 2022.03.29

Me cruising along, doing my thing and then I threw my back out. I think I could have seen it coming if I knew where to look, but of course we never can see the thing in our blind spot.

🎵 Output before Input #76 - 2022.03.29

A chord study.

🎵 Output before Input #75 - 2022.03.28

At least once a week I have a meditation/stretching “improv” practice. This sketch feels a bit like those improvisations - just following what shows up and seeing where it takes you.

🎵 Output before Input #74 - 2022.03.27

Perhaps a touch frantic, but I do like it.

🎵 Output before Input #73 - 2022.03.26

Weirdly I got to this riff by playing “Everywhere” by Fleetwood Mac. I think it might play better on bass guitar, but I like it in this context too, even with the rough playing.

🎵 Output before Input #72 - 2022.03.26

I seem to be really into these consistent quarter-note strum patterns lately - maybe as a result of wanting to fill the sonic space with a single take on a single instrument. And of course, any excuse to throw a major 7 or a minor 2 into a riff.

🎵 Output before Input #71 - 2022.03.26

All chords resolve to each other if you really mean it.