Apollo Lee 52 Tracks in 52 Weeks

Ambient


Chirality

Title: Apollo Lee - Chirality
Date: February 8, 2008
Software: Logic Pro 8
Genre: Ambient
Timing: 8:12 @ 40 bpm

What I Like About It

The harmony lends itself to dissonance and consonance with the move of one finger (Em7 A7 Ebm7 Abm7).
The selected instrument makes it sounds otherworldly and haunting.
I resisted the temptation to build big stacky chords most of [...]

Smectic

Title: Apollo Lee - Smectic
Date: February 5, 2008
Software: Logic Pro 8
Genre: Ambient
Timing: 7:00 @ 40 bpm

What I Like About It

The instrument I’m using is abstract and beautiful.
The harmonic structure lends itself to improvisation without much worry about clashing.
The low notes contrast nicely with the middles and the highs.
Lots of moments of lush dissonances and soaring [...]

Nematic

Title: Apollo Lee - Nematic
Date: February 2, 2008
Software: Logic Pro 8
Genre: Ambient
Timing: 6:24 @ 40 bpm

What I Like About It

I’m using my Oxygen 8 and playing in a two octave range, using the scale of A melodic minor (A B C D E F# G# A).
The instrument is ominous and abstract. It has gorgeous [...]

Ticket

Title: Apollo Lee - Ticket
Date: January 31, 2008
Software: Logic Pro 8
Genre: Ambient
Timing: 5:06 @ 40 bpm

What I Like About It

The aftertouch on this instrument is nice.
There are some beautiful bass note entrances.
Airy suspensions happen frequently here.

What I Don’t Like About It

Too many three-note or whole chord transitions at too high a frequency.
The train conductor interrupted [...]

Verdant

Title: Apollo Lee - Verdant
Date: January 28, 2008
Software: Logic Pro 8
Genre: Ambient
Timing: 6:36 @ 40 bpm

What I Like About It

While it’s not so evident on headphones, the aftertouch on the instrument is gorgeous. I love it. It occasionally feels like a countermelody.
There are plenty of nicely haunting moments with a interestingly unexpected bass [...]

Cumberland

Title: Apollo Lee - Cumberland
Date: January 25, 2008
Software: Logic Pro 8
Genre: Ambient
Timing: 6:18 @ 40 bpm

What I Like About It

There are lots of lush suspensions and color tones.
I tried to keep everything in the middle, but also with some good bass tones.
I am successfully writing many of these recent tracks in diverse keys.
The ambient floating [...]

Borah

Title: Apollo Lee - Borah
Date: January 23, 2008
Software: Logic Pro 8
Genre: Ambient
Timing: 6:42 @ 40 bpm

What I Like About It

There’s a significant spread between the lows and the highs.
The chords are nicely dissonant and still consonant at the same time.
I was more patient with the motion of the tunes, aiming to avoid moving more than [...]

Sequoia

Title: Apollo Lee - Sequoia
Date: January 23, 2008
Software: Logic Pro 8
Genre: Ambient
Timing: 6:24 @ 40 bpm

What I Like About It

The low notes provide a beautiful depth to the piece.
The shifting dissonances and slow time arch lends a mysterious awe.
I was more patient with the motion of the tunes, aiming to avoid moving more than two [...]

Adrift

Title: Apollo Lee - Adrift
Date: January 21, 2008
Software: Logic Pro 8
Genre: Ambient
Timing: 7:00 @ 40 bpm

What I Like About It

I’m experimenting with different chord structures.
The ethereal quality of the chords is gorgeous and evocative.
When I played this, it didn’t feel like it took up seven minutes. It also felt like it took all night. [...]

Flurry

Title: Apollo Lee - Flurry
Date: January 17, 2008
Software: Logic Pro 8
Genre: Ambient
Timing: 3:50 @ 60 bpm (approx.)

What I Like About It

I used my Korg padKontrol to improvise ambient music for the first time.
The modulation wobble on the X/Y pad is spooky. In a beautiful way.
This breaks me out of my four-on-the-floor house [...]

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