How to be musically creative - 2
Play ahead of the beat
A tip from playing live but may just be the spice required to liven up a good recording: re-record some of the instrument tracks slightly ahead of the drum beat. We're not talking major syncopation here, just a fraction of a second before the main beats. The music will feel like it's got more energy. Alternatively, play behind the beat and the track will sound more relaxed or laid back. Careful how many instruments you change. Start with the bass for the most familiar effect or try one or a group of other instruments to get a different feel. Move too many or move them too far and it may just sound like you can't play in time.
A good example is Gimme Some Lovin' by Spencer Davis Group. An even more extreme example, try I'm Still Standing by Elton John. I suppose many funk guitarists get the same feel with a slide up to the chord on the beat. For further examples, try jazz and swing - a quick search and you can find lots of examples.
Got any other noteworthy examples, especially non-jazz? Add them to the comments.
By the way, nothing against jazz, there's some great music (really great music), but most of the literature I've seen on ahead and behind the beat relates to jazz with the odd token reference to motown.
If anyone wants to try an exercise, see if just moving the bass recording forwards works rather than re-recording. I haven't tried this since I prefer the natural feel of playing against the beat and feeling the accents and stresses.
Part of a series by Award Sounds offering a selection of creative ideas to kick-start or rejuvenate a composition.