Fast/often just my style of writing music. Believe me, it's more then ok to take time. There's a really accomplished composing lecturer at WAAPA, but we write an average of 4 pieces per year! I know of of that time may not be optional. Everyone has stuff to do. I'm just saying that it doesn't need to be fast hehe :heh:

EDIT: Oh crap! Forgot to mention the main thing! KEEP VISION IN YOUR COMPOSITIONS! That why mine are fast. I know what I want and can easily put in down into a presentational format. If you don't have a good "computerized" way to get down those ideas fast, just write the melody or idea down on paper and store it until the time is right :)

Except then when I try to come back to the ideas I don't have any inspiration for them anymore...it's hard to explain my dilemma, but it's OK. I was just saying that I was amazed at the fact that you came out with a 13 minute long minimalist composition in that short of a time period...

Sky Cannon is FINISHED!:) CLICK HERE (http://www.box.net/shared/b3zpx60ccy)

Description:Sky Cannon is a 13 min, minimalistic, orchestral cannon based on the 3 opening chords from "Sky Barnet (http://www.kongregate.com/collabs/sounds/Kevin_Penkin/sky-barnet)". The interesting thing is that the repeated melodic phrases are all at different lengths, thus when you're around 6 mins in you can hear how they all are "weaving" in and out of each other.

EDIT: Oh crap! Forgot to mention the main thing! KEEP VISION IN YOUR COMPOSITIONS! That why mine are fast. I know what I want and can easily put in down into a presentational format. If you don't have a good "computerized" way to get down those ideas fast, just write the melody or idea down on paper and store it until the time is right :)

To me that is how I go writing music "fast". Getting a general vision of my composition, knowing what I want and how I want it structured, putting down the important parts first. And what kills me a lot is that I keep getting more ideas in the process and don't see how to stick them together after I thought what I wanted, lol. That is why I omit a lot.

But honestly I don't think it matter if you are fast or slow writing music. Unless you are in rush and need to get things done before any deadline. But other than that, it does not matter. What matter is the final product!

And if is something really complex and important, better go slow for your own benefit. ;)

To me that is how I go writing music "fast". Getting a general vision of my composition, knowing what I want and how I want it structured, putting down the important parts first. And what kills me a lot is that I keep getting more ideas in the process and don't see how to stick them together after I thought what I wanted, lol. That is why I omit a lot.

But honestly I don't think it matter if you are fast or slow writing music. Unless you are in rush and need to get things done before any deadline. But other than that, it does not matter. What matter is the final product!

And if is something really complex and important, better go slow for your own benefit. ;)

Agreed. I do wonder what was going through the mind of Bartok though when he wrote his concerto for orchestra. The amount of vision and complexity that work has is incredible. He wrote the piece in 9 weeks!

That was a nice listen! The samples are not helping much with the piece, but if this was performed would sound quite great! The choirs reminds me to the ones of Yoko Kanno. Sounds like she has used the same samples, but I am not so familiar with that, so dunno, haha. I also liked the piano part, the reverb of it worked better than in your previous pieces, in my opinion.

Hmm... from where do you get your sounds? They're very nice.

About the composition itself (Sky Cannon), it's very well done. I've always wanted to write a piece like this one day, but I think it's that I'm too used to Ravel's style of orchestration/composition. I really like 6:00 and later of this piece. :) It's just me, but at 11:18, I feel like there should be some flutes playing on the lowest register since it could help provide for a great contrast from the louder section.

That was a nice listen! The samples are not helping much with the piece, but if this was performed would sound quite great! The choirs reminds me to the ones of Yoko Kanno. Sounds like she has used the same samples, but I am not so familiar with that, so dunno, haha. I also liked the piano part, the reverb of it worked better than in your previous pieces, in my opinion.

Ahaha. Yea I tend to be a sucker for reverb :P It comes out really nicely on my speakers and not on about 95% of other speakers so I guess that's why. I will need to experiment more with different speakers :P

Regarding the samples, I would absolutely love to have this performed. Funny enough it would be easy to write out because all you need to do is write out the one line and then know where to cue the player(s). I forgot where Kanno-San hires her choirs. I don't think she's ever used sampled choirs. As far as I can tell, Animes always hire real instruments.


Hmm... from where do you get your sounds? They're very nice.

About the composition itself (Sky Cannon), it's very well done. I've always wanted to write a piece like this one day, but I think it's that I'm too used to Ravel's style of orchestration/composition. I really like 6:00 and later of this piece. :) It's just me, but at 11:18, I feel like there should be some flutes playing on the lowest register since it could help provide for a great contrast from the louder section.

Thanks! The library is called "Vienna Symphonic Library" and I have the the Special Edition. Well the Bolero is sort of like a cannon isn't it. It's not exactly the same because all the lines (expect for Violin 1,2 and Trom, Bass Trom and Tuba) are different. Ravel's style isn't bad to be used to. Maybe don't expect it to come, let it come to you. I didn't expect or want to write this piece until last night when all of a sudden I heard a Yoko Kanno piece (bang) and I thought. I want to do something like that!

About 11:18, that's fine. I wouldn't add more instrumentation there though because of the original piece this was in (even though it also had celli) was basically piano solo, and also it's sort of like finding one instrument in that massive orchestral swirl that happens eventually. It's sort of hard to explain, but I'm trying to create that isolated nostalgia that people who know the original can identify with. In a way, I made this for fans of Sky Barnet.

Hey Guys!

I'm making this thing, for this guy, :\ and I want to make it complex so it doesn't sound so.....average. So I've packed it with heaps of things like hi-hat hits with and without the phaser, violin, synth and also voice (will be re-recording the sampled voice with Kayla's soon :P) over what I guess is the "backbone" of the tune with is that melodic synth in the first part, and that echo piano in the second.

What I really need/want to know is how complex it's sounding. Could I weave more into there without overcrowding it, is it at it's limit now or is it already too busy and I should take stuff out? THANKS!

Is not too busy, but I think if you add more to it probably would kill the effect. It feels very nice like that! Quite balanced to me.

But if you want to experiment try adding more and see what happen, haha.

Holy pie this reminded me I need to get something done today for send! ahh!

Is not too busy, but I think if you add more to it probably would kill the effect. It feels very nice like that! Quite balanced to me.

But if you want to experiment try adding more and see what happen, haha.

Holy pie this reminded me I need to get something done today for send! ahh!

Thanks! I think I have pushed it as far as I want to, but I did want to see what everyone thought haha. I'm just looking forward to getting Kayla's voice down ahaha! Thanks!

What do you need to get done?

Holy pie!

Hahahaha...seriously? That reminds me of my old roommate. :D

So what exactly will this be the "opening" for?

What do you need to get done?

A happy upbeat piece, lol. Not in the mood for such piece like that. :sweat:

At death rider: how could remind you to someone esle! O:

Hahahaha...seriously? That reminds me of my old roommate. :D

So what exactly will this be the "opening" for?

Haha. Roommates :P It's for a local movie called "It Happens in the Dark" :think: I might post some other stuff on the movie as well. This one's for the sort of climax the film has haha. Basically this guy is sitting in this room in his house and his lights go out. Then he finds a torch and finds a thief stealing stuff. Then weird dialogue happens and random events which suggest it's just a dream. Then he freaks out and wakes up. It's a bad explanation, but yea. haha. Will explain more later :P

Sounds good to sleep. Too bad I don't have headphones anymore, lol. Is it for the same film that you did the piece mental?

No different film. They both have similar scene where the main character is going through some for of psychotic dream haha.

Oooh. The first one (the opening) is good. It is complex as you say but the voice is really weird... I think it might sound better with a real person's voice. So could you post that again when you have Kayla's voice? That would be awsome.
For the second one (Lights Out) you can't really tell because you need to see what happens. Although I'm only listening to it and it's giving me the cold feeling like something scary is about to (or even already) happening.
Good Job!

Oooh. The first one (the opening) is good. It is complex as you say but the voice is really weird... I think it might sound better with a real person's voice. So could you post that again when you have Kayla's voice? That would be awsome.
For the second one (Lights Out) you can't really tell because you need to see what happens. Although I'm only listening to it and it's giving me the cold feeling like something scary is about to (or even already) happening.
Good Job!

Hey thanks! I'll definitely post again when I record Kayla.

Sure thing. :) And I can't wait.

Just a piece I did from 11:30pm-3:35am. Something to do haha. I I felt like trying to merge organic instruments with soft electronic ones, then breaking into Drum n' Bass (assuming I actually did Drum n' Bass haha) then into some 80's style synth stuff then back to the first part to finish :P. I don't know haha. Something to keep me going.

Surprisingly enough, I was thinking of John Denver's "Annie's Song" while I wrote this, so I guess I have tried to create the same sort of spirit as that song.

Let me know what you think! GOODNIGHT! ahaha

I liked how the percussion moved the music to the next theme at 1:35. That theme has its sweetness and cantability. It can works very good for a song. At 4:16 I think was enough. The rest you had there looked like you just wanted it there, seeming not necessary; but I liked it. Nice piece, haha.

I liked how the percussion moved the music to the next theme at 1:35. That theme has its sweetness and cantability. It can works very good for a song. At 4:16 I think was enough. The rest you had there looked like you just wanted it there, seeming not necessary; but I liked it. Nice piece, haha.

Thanks! Yea haha. I was just coming up with ideas and I didn't want to stop at 4:16, so I carried on. You didn't say it was bad so I think it will stay haha. Thanks Nyu :P

Haha, at the part after 4:16, I totally was expecting "Ano Natsu He" to start playing (it's just that one chord, but it was funny). It did feel like that section of the piece was different from the first 2/3, though.

Haha, at the part after 4:16, I totally was expecting "Ano Natsu He" to start playing (it's just that one chord, but it was funny). It did feel like that section of the piece was different from the first 2/3, though.

Haha. Go Spirited Away! I'm in love with that chord haha. If you're playing in the key of One Summers Day is F, C, G, A, E. Favorite chord haha! Quartal Harmony as well! :P

Mmn it may be a little forced. :\

No, it didn't feel forced, just like a separate idea.

Edit: oh, and I just realized the reason that chord reminded me of the Spirited Away opening was because it was similar to the opening chord of the arrangement posted on Ichigos, not the actual opening chord of the original movie score. XD Oops.

No, it didn't feel forced, just like a separate idea.

Ahh I see haha

oh, and I just realized the reason that chord reminded me of the Spirited Away opening was because it was similar to the opening chord of the arrangement posted on Ichigos, not the actual opening chord of the original movie score. XD Oops.

I wasn't complaining :P

Ok haha. MORE music. It's from the same movie as "opening" and "lights out"

This is one song, 2 arrangements haha. Ok, so for about 1 min or so there is the guy, alone, just sitting on a couch, drinking wine and reading a book. He's like a upper-middle class guy. The director wants a really "classical" sounding thing for this scene, and then he wants a heavy metal version for the end, because the guy sort of goes insane..It's a little weird but OK! haha.

The problem is, I can't do heavy metal haha. I just can't. It's not my thing. So, I think I can convince him with I guess what is I think is a...dark electronic version? haha. Let me know if there can be improvement to these tracks. In particular, orchestration for the classical piece and ability to recognize that the electronic piece carries the same melody.

Oh, also, the pieces only play for about 1 min each, so don't worry too much about how the fact the classical piece dies after 1 and a half mins and how the electronic version repeats haha.

The melody feels more like for a romantic scene to me. I hardy can visualize the scene you told.

I just see a man in love with someone. Both loving each other and spending their time together and alone. Then he offer her an engage ring and she accept it. "Oh my dear! I love you so much!" - "Oh baby! I love you too so much! Thank you a lot! you are making me so fucking happy!" Then they hug very tight.

But then... he found she is having an affair with another guy and he become totally insane. His love turn into hate and madness, and he just started to act so insane in the nights going out of his house; screaming and punching trees saying "ahhh! why why!!", "I must kill!", "Ahhh!!!!"

In the second track I like the electronic effects. I was thinking you was going to come with something more aggressive and faster, stronger in the basses.

The melody feels more like for a romantic scene to me. I hardy can visualize the scene you told.

I just see a man in love with someone. Both loving each other and spending their time together and alone. Then he offer her an engage ring and she accept it. "Oh my dear! I love you so much!" - "Oh baby! I love you too so much! Thank you a lot! you are making me so fucking happy!" Then they hug very tight.

But then... he found she is having an affair with another guy and he become totally insane. His love turn into hate and madness, and he just started to act so insane in the nights going out of his house; screaming and punching trees saying "ahhh! why why!!", "I must kill!", "Ahhh!!!!"

In the second track I like the electronic effects. I was thinking you was going to come with something more aggressive and faster, stronger in the basses.

I though I was too haha, but it didn't work :(, but maybe he'll ask for it faster haha. CRAP! I forgot to mention with the classical piece! It's actully just a CD haha. The man play's a CD of classical music while reading a book and sipping wine x_x

Nice description though :P

Funny description! Haha.

For Piece of Mind I felt that the theme was sort of pixi-fied. I feel like I'm in a meadow with a whole bunch of fairies and pixis. My favourite part of that whole thing was at 5.30 in the song. But I loved it never the less.

In "Classical" I can see what Nyu meant. Maybe you should try bringing the notes down and slow it a bit more because it feels too cheerful.

Is there something in between "Classical" and "Ending"? By that I mean is the something going to infuse or carry the one over to the next bit? If not you need one.

"Ending" was good I was just a little bit concerned with some parts. Eg. The fact that it slows down for TOO long after 0.51. And the (electric?) piano at 1.36 onwards is really random and weird. Otherwise it was also good.

Funny description! Haha.

For Piece of Mind I felt that the theme was sort of pixi-fied. I feel like I'm in a meadow with a whole bunch of fairies and pixis. My favourite part of that whole thing was at 5.30 in the song. But I loved it never the less.

In "Classical" I can see what Nyu meant. Maybe you should try bringing the notes down and slow it a bit more because it feels too cheerful.

Is there something in between "Classical" and "Ending"? By that I mean is the something going to infuse or carry the one over to the next bit? If not you need one.

"Ending" was good I was just a little bit concerned with some parts. Eg. The fact that it slows down for TOO long after 0.51. And the (electric?) piano at 1.36 onwards is really random and weird. Otherwise it was also good.


thanks for liking Peace of Mind! I'm not sure what I'm going to do with Classical and Ending yet, but I guess it depends on how much the director liked it. Shall update! :P




Another one for tonight! :P


"4 in the Water (http://www.box.net/shared/vcqjvsjieu)" is an electronic impressionistic piece, composed around the thought of water, but also compositional devices such as 4ths and the Octatonic/Whole-tone Scale. Enjoy!

thanks for liking Peace of Mind! I'm not sure what I'm going to do with Classical and Ending yet, but I guess it depends on how much the director liked it. Shall update! :P




Another one for tonight! :P


"4 in the Water (http://www.box.net/shared/vcqjvsjieu)" is an electronic impressionistic piece, composed around the thought of water, but also compositional devices such as 4ths and the Octatonic/Whole-tone Scale. Enjoy!

Really enjoyed this one! Quite a change-up from your previous works I've heard. Very nice textures and instrumentation, and though it sounds sort of chaotic at parts, the constant drum loop thing keeps it in check - though I guess it's not really constant as you do some neat pitch bends to change that up as well. I definitely commend you for you keeping it fresh with the changes as these sort of pieces tend to fall into the static textures realm.

There are few instances though where you I felt that you kept a part going on a bit too long - usually it's just the background texture thing that just lingers a bit before the next section. Also, some smoother transitions would probably make it better too. Finally, the guitar parts (especially the echoed parts in the beginning and end) don't really sound that 'mixed' with in the rest of the texture - maybe add a bit of global reverb to blend it in more?

What is the mood of the first scene? Is the man who is reading alone in a mellow solitude, or is he happily reading away? The song seemed to be very romantic. It brought to mind to lovers gazing into each others' eyes as the world around them melts away more than reading a book and drinking wine alone. This isn't necessarily bad, as I don't know what mood the director is trying to convey. It just seems a bit too intimate from the little I know.

As far the song itself, I love the melody. It is beautiful and soothing. The kind of piece that would fit well in a scene where the hero and his gal are riding into the sunset on horseback as the credits begin to roll. :p I love the little woodwind runs, though the piccolo at 1:04 was just a bit overbearing in my ears. Is that a flute and clarinet at :35? I love the color that creates. Oh, and yay for french horn! :D I really liked this piece.

As for the second piece, it seems a bit light for someone going insane. I imagined more crunchy, dirty synths (that is the best I can describe lol), a more driving tempo, and more percussion. It isn't bad at all, I enjoyed it. It just doesn't carry anything similar to heavy metal in style. Especially the slower part around 1:41. The electronic effects were cool though.

I could hear a relation to the first piece at the beginning, but that is it. If I was the average movie watcher, I certainly wouldn't have thought, "Hey! That is like that other song from earlier...That's awesome!" Both pieces are well composed, but I'm not sure how fitting they are in the context of the scenes you presented. Great job though!

EDIT: I just read the comment about the first piece being from a classical CD, so that makes more sense. I'd still say it is a bit too big and romantic, but I'm obviously not the director, lol.

Thanks! Respond properly soon! Uematsu-San's manager asked for a copy of the Demo CD in HQ WAV form, so I'm basically not sleeping tonight (now this morning) trying to remaster 30,000,000 songs and upload so he can be surprised when he wakes up.

Really enjoyed this one! Quite a change-up from your previous works I've heard. Very nice textures and instrumentation, and though it sounds sort of chaotic at parts, the constant drum loop thing keeps it in check - though I guess it's not really constant as you do some neat pitch bends to change that up as well. I definitely commend you for you keeping it fresh with the changes as these sort of pieces tend to fall into the static textures realm.

There are few instances though where you I felt that you kept a part going on a bit too long - usually it's just the background texture thing that just lingers a bit before the next section. Also, some smoother transitions would probably make it better too. Finally, the guitar parts (especially the echoed parts in the beginning and end) don't really sound that 'mixed' with in the rest of the texture - maybe add a bit of global reverb to blend it in more?

Thanks!! I'm still listening to the piece and thinking about where I could fine-tune it. If I decide to change something I will definitely upload! :)




What is the mood of the first scene? Is the man who is reading alone in a mellow solitude, or is he happily reading away? The song seemed to be very romantic. It brought to mind to lovers gazing into each others' eyes as the world around them melts away more than reading a book and drinking wine alone. This isn't necessarily bad, as I don't know what mood the director is trying to convey. It just seems a bit too intimate from the little I know.

As far the song itself, I love the melody. It is beautiful and soothing. The kind of piece that would fit well in a scene where the hero and his gal are riding into the sunset on horseback as the credits begin to roll. :p I love the little woodwind runs, though the piccolo at 1:04 was just a bit overbearing in my ears. Is that a flute and clarinet at :35? I love the color that creates. Oh, and yay for french horn! :D I really liked this piece.

As for the second piece, it seems a bit light for someone going insane. I imagined more crunchy, dirty synths (that is the best I can describe lol), a more driving tempo, and more percussion. It isn't bad at all, I enjoyed it. It just doesn't carry anything similar to heavy metal in style. Especially the slower part around 1:41. The electronic effects were cool though.

I could hear a relation to the first piece at the beginning, but that is it. If I was the average movie watcher, I certainly wouldn't have thought, "Hey! That is like that other song from earlier...That's awesome!" Both pieces are well composed, but I'm not sure how fitting they are in the context of the scenes you presented. Great job though!

EDIT: I just read the comment about the first piece being from a classical CD, so that makes more sense. I'd still say it is a bit too big and romantic, but I'm obviously not the director, lol.

haha. thanks for the critique. I guess I too will have to wait and see.





NEW SONG!!!!

This isn't finished yet and need help haha. Do you remember Air (http://www.kongregate.com/collabs/sounds/Kevin_Penkin/air)? I'm doing a full orchestral version of it! So yea. Enjoy the listen and I need suggestions for the ending, or more material! But any advice is much needed and appreciated! :)


EDIT: NEW VERSION ON SONG UP ON LATER POST!

I definitely hear the Hisaishi influence here. It seems to me like there are a lot of oriental overtones here, but the sweeping orchestral style is so great. Lots of memorable melodies and huge crescendos. I love it. The only thing I really wasn't fond of was the percussive thing that entered around :21. It was a little annoying to me. Great job on this one, it sounds like movie score material to me.

I definitely hear the Hisaishi influence here. It seems to me like there are a lot of oriental overtones here, but the sweeping orchestral style is so great. Lots of memorable melodies and huge crescendos. I love it. The only thing I really wasn't fond of was the percussive thing that entered around :21. It was a little annoying to me. Great job on this one, it sounds like movie score material to me.

Thanks! Ahh yea...the metal sheet. I'll rummage around as see what can replace it, but still keep the beat I want there hehe.

Edit: Oops! Forgot to respond to the other thing, which as actually the original was inspired by FFX, and this version's arrangement was inspired by Shirou Hamaguchi's orchestrations/arrangements. He's F#cking insane with the orchestra!!!!!

I loved Air; I think that's one of my favorite things you've done. However, the one thing I'd change about it is that I'd have the chords towards the end decrescendo instead of just cut off. However, that is less a concrete criticism and more a personal taste.

I loved Air; I think that's one of my favorite things you've done. However, the one thing I'd change about it is that I'd have the chords towards the end decrescendo instead of just cut off. However, that is less a concrete criticism and more a personal taste.

That's really great to know! Yea. I will make them crescendo hehe. I agree. :P

Woot! Air Orchestral Version is finished! :)

I only changed the ending, and some mixing. Sorry BlazingDragon, I didn't get rid of the metal sheet at the start. The cymbal hitting those 2nd and 4th beats wasn't powerful enough on its own and there wasn't anything I have in my library that could of been a substitute! Enjoy :) (again) :P

Totally going on my MP3 player. It's like an awesome mix of Hisaishi and Kikuta except more original!

Ok....KICK ASS~!

Thanks!

Yay! Really happy :) I got good feedback from Ogawa-San! I'm working on a piece with Kayla's voice. It's the melodic piano line is a fill in for her voice right now, while I arrange a friend at Uni to record her well ^^

Not finished! Feedback appreciated! :)

Air Orchestral is definitely sounds pretty neat, though I'm not sure how it's related to the other "Air" piece you've posted (Air 10). Maybe I'm referring to the wrong piece though.

The opening is really catchy, and I really enjoyed it. But by comparison it sort of makes the sections after it sound kind of boring - maybe you should've held back a bit :P? But the other parts are pretty solid, though the part around 2:30 sounds a bit hollowed out compared to the rest of the piece. Like the recap at about 3:00, and the quieter section after that is really nice and sweet. So yeah, overall the piece is very interesting, just to me the "main section" parts feel much stronger.

Ujus demo sounds pretty solid - has that sweeping orchestral style in many of your pieces, though more tamed I guess due to the length. Curious how the full version will turn out.

Air Orchestral is definitely sounds pretty neat, though I'm not sure how it's related to the other "Air" piece you've posted (Air 10). Maybe I'm referring to the wrong piece though.

The opening is really catchy, and I really enjoyed it. But by comparison it sort of makes the sections after it sound kind of boring - maybe you should've held back a bit :P? But the other parts are pretty solid, though the part around 2:30 sounds a bit hollowed out compared to the rest of the piece. Like the recap at about 3:00, and the quieter section after that is really nice and sweet. So yeah, overall the piece is very interesting, just to me the "main section" parts feel much stronger.

Ujus demo sounds pretty solid - has that sweeping orchestral style in many of your pieces, though more tamed I guess due to the length. Curious how the full version will turn out.


haha. "AIR", not "air 10". Thanks for the critique. I didn't notice how dominant the opening was haha. Maybe I was thinking "I want to wake the audience up!" at the time. Ahaha. I will focus on not leaving enough ground to build on later in the piece! Thanks!

I'm sure Kayla's voice will be perfect haha. Just practice and patience. My friends going to record her in an actual recording booth!!! Very happy ^^

I really like the orchestration in AIR. I honestly can't find anything to be picky about. It sounds very lovely. Which sound font did you use, if any? It sounds amazing.

Ujus....wow. All I have to say, it's so soothing. Can't wait for the finished version.

OMG! Ujus sounds so sad... When I listen to it I think of this girl who has fallen in love with this guy but their relationship has taken a really bad turn and so she has a flash back of all the good times they had together. At about 1 min she busts out into tears and realises her life has fallen apart and starts to work up the courage and finally at about 1min 50sec commits suicide. The end bit is where they show her just laying on the floor dead.
I know I'm weird.

I really like the orchestration in AIR. I honestly can't find anything to be picky about. It sounds very lovely. Which sound font did you use, if any? It sounds amazing.

Ujus....wow. All I have to say, it's so soothing. Can't wait for the finished version.

Wow. Thanks! I found a few things, but I'm only going to learn from them, not go back and edit >< Thank you!

Sound fonts? see this post (http://forums.ichigos.com/showpost.php?p=425950&postcount=127) :)




OMG! Ujus sounds so sad... When I listen to it I think of this girl who has fallen in love with this guy but their relationship has taken a really bad turn and so she has a flash back of all the good times they had together. At about 1 min she busts out into tears and realises her life has fallen apart and starts to work up the courage and finally at about 1min 50sec commits suicide. The end bit is where they show her just laying on the floor dead.
I know I'm weird.

I could see that. Your not weird. My interpretation of weird is that it's "different, negative" where if you say unique, it's "different, positive". You're not weird ^^ Kayla's voice will boost the emotionality of the track 1000%.

My brother insisted that I add "I'm weird" 'cause he thought I was after I told him what I imagined of the song. But I know for a fact I'm unique not weird. ^_^
I'm honestly not sure how a voice would sound in that but blow me away once the final piece is up. :)

Ok. THIS IS HARD! Very difficult to find something sweet, but so far the reception with my friends is good. Let me know what you think. NOT FINISHED!

BATTLE THEME! GO! (http://www.box.net/shared/74tsjyxkaj)

Update on Ujus! New Demo, more orchestration, better sound from the orchestra and the acoustic guitar is now Kayla ^^

Both of them sound super good!

The Battle theme actually feels like an ABBA song, too! XD

lol battle theme. I can't help but notice the Uematsu influence in a lot of your pieces. Nevertheless, it sounds good. But personally I think the bass sounds too muffled and indefinite. What's going on in the bass?

Both of them sound super good!

The Battle theme actually feels like an ABBA song, too! XD

ABBA? ahaha. Is that a good thing?


lol battle theme. I can't help but notice the Uematsu influence in a lot of your pieces. Nevertheless, it sounds good. But personally I think the bass sounds too muffled and indefinite. What's going on in the bass?

Need to mix more ><


(Thanks to both you you! :))

Progress on "Bai-TEN-SHIN" (http://www.box.net/shared/5zcx41mg94) I haven't done more compositional material, but I have improved the mix and polished the section I have already done ^^

I'm loving it so far. I wish there were more background fills. I just feel it having some piano arpeggios or guitar licks or something of that caliber in this piece. I feel the hi-hat was just a smidge too loud (maybe town it down 5%?). I' m liking where this is going. It almost could serve as a "Screen Select" theme for an intense action-ish game. XD

I'm loving it so far. I wish there were more background fills. I just feel it having some piano arpeggios or guitar licks or something of that caliber in this piece. I feel the hi-hat was just a smidge too loud (maybe town it down 5%?). I' m liking where this is going. It almost could serve as a "Screen Select" theme for an intense action-ish game. XD

Thanks! ^^ Oooooooo changed your pic again. More Chiaki Sempai :) I'm doing more as week speak (figure of speech ><) so I will probably upload again, this time with more material. Will turn down those high hats :) Funny you mentioned more dominant arpeggios haha. Stay tuned :P I think I beet you to the chase a little bit! ><

WOOT! Much extension on Bai-TEN-SHIN!

http://www.box.net/shared/4ctagce15q

Super Smash Brothers! That's what this reminds me of-- well, not that it's FROM it, but it seems like it'd fit great with that game. The atmosphere is perfect. I'm loving the percussion/drums in this. I think you should do a little more distortion with that synth melody that you tend to do at the end of sections (where it freaks out and diminishes).

Lovin' it!

Super Smash Brothers! That's what this reminds me of-- well, not that it's FROM it, but it seems like it'd fit great with that game. The atmosphere is perfect. I'm loving the percussion/drums in this. I think you should do a little more distortion with that synth melody that you tend to do at the end of sections (where it freaks out and diminishes).

Lovin' it!

Woot! Thanks! Wow. I never though of Smash Brothers...I want to play it now! >< At least I know I'm on the right track. I will think about where I can add more mod wheel (what you're referring to :)) THANKS! :)

Lol at Super Smash bros. comment. It does can fit to it, haha. I really have nothing to say about the piece. Just sounds addictive and I like it.

Lol at Super Smash bros. comment. It does can fit to it, haha. I really have nothing to say about the piece. Just sounds addictive and I like it.

Thanks!!!!!!! (Runs frantically around house collecting stuff.) I'm off to music camp tomorrow, for all the weekend!! I will go insane without 3 vital things.

Piano (acoustic)
Email
Kayla

I will have none of these! (Kayla is not a thing ^^) Who knows who/what I will be when I get back! ><

Holy wow....Bai-TEN-SHIN is now on my Ipod and my Psp xD. Color me impressed Kevin your outdoing yourself. It could just be the synth lead but it feels almost slightly nostalgic for me. (Retro gamer) However, it works so well with all the lovely orchestration you have done. I would kill to actually see the score so that I could do some study O.O (<---fanboy) Keep up the work! That's not a request, your never allowed to stop :P

Holy wow....Bai-TEN-SHIN is now on my Ipod and my Psp xD. Color me impressed Kevin your outdoing yourself. It could just be the synth lead but it feels almost slightly nostalgic for me. (Retro gamer) However, it works so well with all the lovely orchestration you have done. I would kill to actually see the score so that I could do some study O.O (<---fanboy) Keep up the work! That's not a request, your never allowed to stop :P

THANKS! Do you have Logic 8? I don't want to stop ><

Sounds great! ABBA is not a good or a bad thing, particularly, I just noticed that part of the melody reminded me of ABBA for some reason.

Ahhhhhhhh ok. Ahaha. Cool! ><

Yes, I can see what the people above mean by a gaming soundtrack. I could only listen to the start though my computer decided to stuff the rest up by stoping then playing then stoping.. you get the point.

I haven't been outputting at my usual rate because I've had flu. Anyway I have done a little bit on Bai-TEN-SHIN, but not too much. I have done another 2 sections, however they are not orchestrated, so they should have more melodic material in placed where it will sound...empty. Also, the last section I have done so far has a big harpsichord bit. Does it feel too unnatural or does it add a good change of pace? I was planning to maybe have string hits to acc the harpsichord, and also I will build up the ending of that solo so it doesn't just stop. Enjoy :)

Oh, also, I did some drum solo's for the section bridges. Fit? Not fit? ><

If you add a counterpoint to the harpsichord will sound very nice! The drums fit to me. But it feels like 2 versions of the same piece. The part before the bridge sounds more like a conclusion of your piece.

If you add a counterpoint to the harpsichord will sound very nice! The drums fit to me. But it feels like 2 versions of the same piece. The part before the bridge sounds more like a conclusion of your piece.

Thanks! I will add counterpoint in...maybe the strings. I will hopefully remember that when I do that! (writes a mental note! ><). With that second drum solo, I'm going to make it a bass solo maybe. I'll see how it sounds, but it might work. What part sounds like the conclusion? There are many bridges ahaha.

1:19-1:42

Ohhhh, I see. I'll give that section a bit more fall off and I want to find a free reverse cymbal sample to use to in the right spots. I think I might get rid of the harpsichord section. I don't think it fits as well as I imagined now. >< Haha.

EDIT: I might not get rid of it now, but I might change the instrument, or at least put the thing down an octave. I think maybe the tonality of the harpsichord in the high register is also contributing to my clenching my teeth when I hear it! ><

New piano improv haha. Enjoy. I'm happy about this one because Kayla gave it a small story/scenic description hehe.

"A little girl in a garden in Japan in the early 1950's. She is picking the flowers when a businessman comes into the field and talks to her. After that, she eventually falls, motionlessly into the into the flowerbed and the flowers she was collecting fall out of her hand. After that you don't see her anymore, all you see are her flowers."

PS: WOOT! 10,000 views ahaha!

EDIT: OH MAN! Did I just come up with a concept for this!?

OK. It all started with last Thursday. A Taiwanese composer called Kueiju Lin showed her music in a workshop and I guess I found it very easy to connect with her for some reason. I looked at her music and her process and it was so sophisticated, and she had perfect pitch as well! So i have started thinking about using my ears more and not just focusing on conventional Japanese game and anime conventions and even not focusing on just the harmony at all, but more the produced sound itself. So I'm not focusing on what specific notes I am hitting, but more, what an approximated hit on the piano can do for the texture, color and the feeling produced. I am trying to create a spectrum where I can control what my listeners are feeling. So it's still based on what i like to focus on, which is emotions, but trying to go deeper into that spectrum. This is a subject I feel I could probably take to a PHD level, eventually, and I am slowly turning towards that idea. But that's why i want to put emphasis on this new piece, because it's combing those emotional conventions I like about BGM music, but then you can mess around with things. Example at 2:29. i just focused on the approximated sound parameters, not the actual notes, and used my perfect to bounce new ideas out of what sort of "surprise" my hands created when i played that chord.

I've come up with a formula for my style. Well, at least one of them. I create a solid ground using a convention like melody or chord progression, but a decent one like the ones you find in my preferred genre of music (Japanese BGM), then when i feel i have the listener captivated I break down that convention. Using methods such as approximated chords take the listeners psyche on a spin (so to speak). Then when i truly have their minds, bring them back with the same convention, but played better and variated in a way where it sounds like you have known it your entire life. Or something like that ><. But some of it, like this new piece with a name that's way too long, can just be pure improvisation, and for a score, all i can write down is the source material, and approximations on how it can be played and a blueprint on how the piece can be evolved.

I need to know. What I just explained. Sid it sound good to you? Sophisticated etc? That was the main reason for me being highly depressed after that workshop on Thursday when I saw that composer, because of how much i admired her and how far, far i was away from even her line of sophistication or ideas. So to of at least of made a step forward would make me very happy, heh. To say the least.

Recorded Kayla at an actual recording studio today! Here's the song! haha!

Ujus (http://www.box.net/shared/8nbo2p07uq)

Description: "I was asked by Kayla to make a song for her to sing in, so I wrote a song that I felt would fit her voice."

PS: Please also listen to "Meditation on an old, virtual piano covered in small synthesizers and reverb. (http://forums.ichigos.com/showpost.php?p=430824&postcount=322)" above haha. I think people thought my thread hadn't been updated so it hasn't had a response yet haha. Thanks!

Ujus- Absolutely awesome. Isn't it fun to record things like tha and how it all comes together? I liked the piece, but when the orchestral tutti comes in, it's too much reverb. I am not saying have it dry, but it's just too much; it's kinda like listening to an organ in a cathedral. I don't really like how you can't hear things. (E. Power Biggs had an amazing recording of some Bach, and it was perfect). ANYWAYS. I liked the piece, it was really nice, I just don't like the reverb-- it's too muddy and kinda gives me an earache.

Meditation on an old, virtual piano covered in small synthesizers and reverb- Okay, Frank Zappa and your titles. Hahaha! I can't quite say too much about the piece. It's really nice, but it definitely feels like BGM, and not much of a piece that I'd listen to, however, it's still a pretty badass piece of BGM. I'm often inspired by those two short piano 'songs' from Cowboy Bebop (Kawaisou na Faye [High Socks] and Kawaisou na Faye [Lip Cream]) and those pieces remind me of your little e.p. song. I would take a look at those two songs by Yoko Kanno and see what's different in those and compare it to your's; I am not telling you to copy her, not at all, but it's a good experiment to use the piano (or electric piano) in a background way and still be apiece that you'd actually want to "listen to." Get me?

Great stuff, Kevin, keep it up.

Hey Mazeppa :)

Thanks for the feedback! Did your speakers die? haha. It's weird. Studio speakers obviously aren’t interested in amplifying stuff because it sounded fine on 2 different sets of studios speakers. WEIRD >< I will turn it down anyway.

Haha. Well I can't deny my love for BGM, so I guess it's a good thing if the piece is considered "badass"! Yes, I get you! There's a cool description of BGM, but I can only give the link right now because I’m at school and they blocked this site!?!?!?! WTF WA government..

http://www.google.com.au/url?&q=http://www.theblackmoon.com/Gloss/agloss.html&ei=2-aISrjkGtKSkQWFntCkBw&sa=X&oi=define&ct=&cd=1&usg=AFQjCNHDcBPLTtdBtzIR5W8SbYkVQs_xNg

Will track down those pieces when I get home!

Regarding both Ujus and the Meditation-etc., very interesting, especially because they both step out in completely different directions from your, well, from what I've heard of all your music.

Bai-Ten-Shin (DEMO)- You used the first note of the first movement of your Incomplete Symphony as the first note. Of course that kind of opening is kind-of common all together, so maybe it's just another piece like that.... But yes, it is very awesome all together. Though- the random chord/key change at 1:20 is just not fitting to my ear. There's too much reverb and amplitude in the sudden key change, I think. Don't throw that chord change in my face, unless you really meant to. Which in any case, is fine, lol.

Oh and a question- are you obsessed with G Major/E minor?

Hey Kevin.
It seems you got good comments for the songs. I feel kinda bad for saying this but I kinda didn't really like Ujus with Kayla's voice in it. Not that her voice is bad I just prefer the one without the voice.

The song with the really long title was good. Very different from your usual work. I feel the long silences are a bit eerie but it's good.

Keep it up!

@ Aphotic - Hey! That's a shame about that chord at around 1:20, I sort of like it! ahaha. Bad reverb? Damn, do you have wet speakers? The chord is meant to be the next part of the song, so that sort of "shift" you were talking about works, I think o_O haha. Regarding the question, the short answer is no. haha. Maybe my subconscious likes E minor but I don't focus on what key I'm in. ^^ Thanks!

@ Urcute08 - Hey! No! Don't worry about it! It's perfectly ok to say you didn't like it ahaha. They're both versions are different, but I did write it for Kayla's voice ^^ Thanks for liking...hmm...lets just call it "meditations" for short. ><

Thanks!

PS: I'm uploading an assignment I had to do for school. God..I was to make a song using Garageband! We had to use at least 2 audio tracks, 2 midi tracks (and at least 8 in total) 2 effects, and we also had to use panning and automation effects. So yea. That's what I did..It was actually fun. Using the basic limitations of Garageband I think made me work well..in a way. >< Enjoy!

Electr"oincs", eh?

Garage band is really fun to play around with. Hopefully I'll be learning how to use it during one of my classes this semester.

The song sounds pretty good for what it's supposed to be.

Thanks. Well yea. It's an exercise haha. Garage band is good for an introduction to sequencing. It should be fun for you!

Hey! Also, Here's a comp I've been working on for class since last Tuesday. It's a spectral composition. I'm not going to explain it here, because I've attached a word doc that explains the entire concept of the piece. I've also got a score and and audio file.

I really recommend you read the concept first, because otherwise it will probably sound like noise :)

PS: I'm not a good piano player, and I don't actually consider myself one, so please forgive the lack of technique, even in a piece like this! ahaha.

I liked a lot that you used the gray scale for show the dynamics! Well thought that one! The score I think you could be more daring and giving a more free interpretation to performers by working a more graphic score. Some lines in your concept reminded me to a work a friend did for his Phd where he asked to other people to render a piano piece. And to give them the freedom to interpret it as they want, the dynamics the tempos, accelerandos, ritardandos, etc. But without changing the score's notes.

Kudos to this! Nice to see this kind of music around here. :D

I liked a lot that you used the gray scale for show the dynamics! Well thought that one! The score I think you could be more daring and giving a more free interpretation to performers by working a more graphic score. Some lines in your concept reminded me to a work a friend did for his Phd where he asked to other people to render a piano piece. And to give them the freedom to interpret it as they want, the dynamics the tempos, accelerandos, ritardandos, etc. But without changing the score's notes.

Kudos to this! Nice to see this kind of music around here. :D

Thanks! I do really want other people to intemperate this differently. Not just because there aren't exact notes on the score, but also because they'll feel eh?) it differently. Like, I sometimes played a passage faster, did strictly follow the dynamics or instructions in that running part near the end etc. Thanks heaps for the feedback!

HOLY!!!! I CREATED NO IMPUT!

Ok. So no input is where you take the output (to your speakers for example) and rout them back into your imput, thus creating feedback. It is explained in this amazing youtube video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tl8IMc-8-N8) and it shows an example too! WATCH!

Anyway, I decided to actually try this for myself. So, I routed the output into my input on my soundcard, but, nothing happened. So, I opened up Logic and routed the new output through an audio track. Still nothing. THEN I put reverb on the audio track inside logic, and BAM! I HAD FEEDBACK! I then used the EQ on Logic to have some control over the feedback. Then, all I needed to do was open up a secondary piece of software to record the improvisation. (Audacity worked perfectly!). After I had recorded the improvisation I exported from Audacity into a WAV file, which I then put back into Logic so I could compress it and enhance the sound. Then, I exported one last time. I call this "Electronic Whales" because I found a way (about half way through) to make a sort of moaning sound that reminded me of whales. Thus, electronic whales. This is my first piece of ambient music, so I'm very proud! ahaha.

Enjoy. Recommend listening with the lights OFF! Oh, and I can't guarantee this won't damage either your ears, or your speakers. This has frequencies that the human ear can't hear so you might feel pressure building up around the inside of your ears. Actually, there is one point where I felt a pretty intense amount of pressure on the sides of my head, so maybe don't listen to it in one go. I hope you enjoy it, but you have been warned! ;)

CLICK HERE! (http://www.box.net/shared/o2tlbkh7gk)

Freaky...HORROR MOVIE!!!

That is cool. After 4 you can hear the whales! Around 4:25 reminded me of an old track I did playing with the sound waves. The vibrations were cool. But I think this had an effect in me. o.0

This is definitely not my cup of tea or something I'm an expert on. But from a more musical perspective: The. drone. kills.

I'm sure you can manipulate the drone so that it's more interesting than just sitting there. It's natural for the human ears to shun exact repetitions. So if you don't do anything to change that drone, the audience will merely block out the sound after a while.

Wow. Thanks for saving me a trip to the zoo.

You could put Empty Plate and the Whales in a horror movie, and it would be very nice too.

This is definitely not my cup of tea or something I'm an expert on. But from a more musical perspective: The. drone. kills.

I'm sure you can manipulate the drone so that it's more interesting than just sitting there. It's natural for the human ears to shun exact repetitions. So if you don't do anything to change that drone, the audience will merely block out the sound after a while.

Hey! Yes. You are right about that, things without change can sound sort of repetitive after a while. Since this is basically a whole new thing, I still need to hone in on things like that, but remember this can't be viewed as something "musical". There have been pieces performed like this that sound the same for 20 mins. But, I know where you're coming from ^^

Oh, technically speaking, it could never actually be the same because it's just feedback, but it sound similar haha.

Wow. The on done on Garage Band is really good. I would have never guessed you did it with Garage Band if you didnt tell me.

The whale music was really weird I'm pretty sure I have a headache now... Hehe.

Wow. It's really good. I would have never guessed you did it with Garage Band if you didnt tell me.

Birds Trees and Electronics?

Yes that. I'm a bit delyed but hey I liked it. Hehe.

Thanks haha. Good to know. Better late then dead on time. Even though that won't apply here...o_O

Hey guys! I did a MAMMOTH update on my website. It would be great to get some feedback. Like making sure I didn't do any typo's etc haha. Hope you like it!

http://sandbox.ea.ecu.edu.au/projects/waapa/composition/kevin-penkin-orchestral-composer-for-film-and-video-games/

Kingdom Hearts Theme Rewrite! >< Feel free to listen/watch ^^

http://www.youtube.com/user/happyramenstudios#play/user/6DE50F316E786347/14/tCJ5V_VgzEA

Kingdom Hearts Theme Rewrite! >< Feel free to listen/watch ^^

http://www.youtube.com/user/happyramenstudios#play/user/6DE50F316E786347/14/tCJ5V_VgzEA

If that was the opening theme I would have never played the game.

Would have just kept watching the screen and listening ^_^. Rip your kingdom hearts 2 disk onto the computer and replace all the music with yous. Then send me an image so that I can drool.

Jk jk, that's illegal. If it wasn't though I would be all on board for a Kevin Penkin version of the soundtrack.

If that was the opening theme I would have never played the game.

Would have just kept watching the screen and listening ^_^. Rip your kingdom hearts 2 disk onto the computer and replace all the music with yous. Then send me an image so that I can drool.

Jk jk, that's illegal. If it wasn't though I would be all on board for a Kevin Penkin version of the soundtrack.

Bahaha. I'm glad you liked it. Well, I don't think that's the impression I want to leave with me and Square...

Your doing it wrong. Your goal should be to blow Squares mind so much that they immediately make you head supervisor of the music department. And then from there you take over the world.:sweat:

Hey, now, don't encourage him too much! He'll get a head the size of the moon! :P

Hey, now, don't encourage him too much! He'll get a head the size of the moon! :P

Ahaha. Don't worry about that Deathrider >< I don't think that would happen. I just got reminded of the moon of Majora's Mask!

Hey Guys!

For a portfolio, I'm writing out Sky Cannon. I still need to write out the piano part, but it would be great if someone could look over the score (so far) to look for mistakes.

Thanks! Enjoy!

PS: You can get the audio file here (http://www.box.net/shared/b3zpx60ccy).

Okay, proofing:

General Problems

1.) Your score should be vertical. In other words, it shouldn't be in landscape format like you have it right now.
2.) Title page, your name should be much much larger. As well, a colon should follow the by, just to keep it grammatically correct.
3.) Page 2: take away the page number on the top left, it looks out of place with your giant quote thing in the middle. This is just an aesthetic thing.
4.) Page 2: check your grammar for your quote. It should be 'bases' not 'based'. Titles (i.e. Sky Barnet and Sky Cannon) should be italicized. 'Melodic sequences are all in different lengths. Instead of page 6, give the bar number, no one really reads the music by the pages of your score. Take out modifiers like 'really'.
5.) Page 3: I see you have adopted my way of doing instrumentation list, hehe. Again, take out page number. Italicize both the 'R' and the 'P' at the asterisks; it's an eyesore if they're different. This is more of a less essential thing, but as I've always said: you are your score in front of a conductor and orchestra; it's representative of you. As well, because the asterisked parts are important notes, bold them. There's a typo at 'plays' in the first asterisk. Finally, the last asterisk's point is somewhat ambiguous, clarify more.
6.) Page 3: It's 'tenor', not 'tennor'. And write out 'Sop' as soprano, since the rest of them are not abbreviated.
7.) Your double bass part requires the extra C extension, mention it in the instrumentation list, or you'll have all your low D's an octave up.

On the Music

First and foremost: NEVER reduce your score on the first page. Have all the instruments shown, even if they're not playing anything. The conductor needs to know how you format the score to follow along. You can't expect them to somehow know your score as much as you.

1.)Your staves are waaaaaaaaayyyyyyy too small. Make the staff size at least 6.5 and higher. Conductors hate squinting as much as you and I do.
2.) I guess I've told you this before, and it's more a personal pet peeve and my own conspiracy theory, but I'll mention it anyway: your tempo markings are Italian, but your expression markings are English. Can you make it one language? I mean, expressive is really 'espressivo', and all musicians know that already. This is just to make your score look more intelligent.
3.) Do you really need a rehearsal marking at the very beginning? Honestly, if in a rehearsal, a conductor prefers to say 'back to the top', 'beginning', over 'letter A... uh which is the beginning'.
4.) Make your tempo markings HUGE. Again, conductors are blind.
5.) Expression markings go under the staff, with the dynamics, unless it's vocal music.
6.) Bar 2: beat 2: Is that an accent? Or that expressive sign for strings? If it's an accent, you got it backwards. If it's that expression sign, it's supposed to be <>.
7.) Breath/phrase marks are to go right before the next note, it's to keep consistent with your note value.
8.) Break the slurs in the beginning with the solo strings. Honestly, they won't play it the way you wrote it unless their bows are a kilometer long. Revise your slurring.
9.) This is probably the hardest thing to do in editing a score: make your dynamics line up to one another as much as possible. They're all over the place right now, and it's not pleasant to look at.
10.) Five bars after 'C': Your cello part is way too high for bass clef, use tenor clef.
11.) Bar 23: eep, slur collision! Actually, check your slurs throughout the score. Many are inconsistent in shape and curve.
12.) Letter 'D': flute: How could you play forte on a rest? Either push the forte back a bit or extend the note value.
13.) Letter 'D': flute: beam beam beam!!! Beam and group your notes with the rests. The rhythm is intimidating on the first sight, don't let it be. So group the notes accordingly.
14.) Letter 'E': clarinet: GROUPING!!! The rhythm you have here is... confusing. Break the dotted quarter and tie the 'and' of 2 to beat three, and the problem will be solved.
15.) Letter 'E': it's a mess everywhere in terms of dynamics and expression markings. Fix it.
16.) Bar 42: dot that dotted sixteenth, just because you can and just so the flautist won't go insane from adding note values in his/her head.
17.) Bar before letter 'H': Clarinet: Why do you have four consecutive cresc. signs when you really only need one?
18.) Bar 56: Note spacing looks weird. And again, fortissimo for rests eh?
From this point on, I'll skip redundant things I spot.
19.) Letter 'I':bassoon grouping. And what do you mean 'freely'? Canons need to be in strict time or everything is going to fall apart.
20.) Bar after 'I': bassoon: ... You can't possibly expect them to play it right. That's all I'm going to say. Either simplify the rhythm, or get a cello to gliss.
21.) 3rd bar after 'I': bassoon: group beat four together.
22.) The next bar: bassoon: ... uh... Don't think they'll play it right, ever.

~~~

I'll continue if you want me to. However, Kevin, I think you should proofread it at least three times yourself first. I mean, some of the things are pretty obvious and I'm sure you can see them yourself.

Gotcha, Gotcha. (talked to you on MSN ^^)

Sky Cannon update :) Enjoy! Let me know if you have/spot suggestions!

The only thing I can say to that is...

Wow, that was amazing. The score looked "weird" at spots. But nothing to weird.
But seriously, it was amazing.

Hey thanks!

But, it still needs work haha. I have a list of things I've spotted etc haha. But its great to see that you liked it! Just a quick question, where did it look weird? It would be great to get even more suggestions! haha. Thanks again! ><

Just at some spots the staff spacing looked weird. Like where the entire orchestra was all in, the staves were really small, and the gaps between them were really wide.

Or like on page 7, there are really big gaps. However, I know computers suck, and stuff like that. So i wouldn't worry about it much.

Ahhhhh I see what you mean!

Yes, it does look a little weird, however if I spaced the staffs any closer together, Sibelius would make the entire thing half a page big, and if I put 2...forgot the word haha. 2 "sections" of the score on one page at that point it would be too crushed. But I know what you mean. I'm just wondering if it can be helped of not ><

Yeah, I know what you mean. I use finale and problems like that always happen, so i'm just "Screw you." and I don't deal with it at all xD.
But I mean, its not really that big of a deal, I'm sure the conductor can get over it. So I wouldn't worry about it.

Yeah, I know what you mean. I use finale and problems like that always happen, so i'm just "Screw you." and I don't deal with it at all xD.
But I mean, its not really that big of a deal, I'm sure the conductor can get over it. So I wouldn't worry about it.

Eep, I strongly disagree. As I have reiterated in many threads, the score a conductor reads is representative of the composer him or herself. If the score is not perfect in some way or another, it leaves a bad impression on the conductor. If the composer leaves any ambiguity, musicians and conductors will have excuses to complain that your piece is not well written. And guess what? Bad impression = less performance or less commission.

Therefore, make your score as elegant and clean as possible. Finale and Sibelius are powerful programs, figure out how to keep things clean and neat. There's no 'I'll let this slide, he/she won't notice...'

Sit_dotdotdot stole the words I was going to say. But anyway, that is totally true. Some people also consider the score a piece of arts.

Woot! Debate! :)

Making things picture perfect can be annoying, but it's definitely worth it. So yea. Trying to make it as good looking as possible.. Sib 5 does a good job, but….yea. Sib 6 will be added to my list. Go auto arrange! ^^

Here's a suggestion: for lines such as the bassoon one on meas. 66, you could notate it like this:

http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j266/Bbclarinetist/Bassoon.gif

; however, I don't know if it would be appropriate in this situation.

Here's a suggestion: for lines such as the bassoon one on meas. 66, you could notate it like this:

http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j266/Bbclarinetist/Bassoon.gif

; however, I don't know if it would be appropriate in this situation.

Haha. It's difficult to decide. But thanks! I'll make a decision soon!

Another possibility:http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j266/Bbclarinetist/Bassoon-1.gif

Another possibility:http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j266/Bbclarinetist/Bassoon-1.gif

Hey, that looks quite good! Hmm...how would you get that in sib? ahaha

Hey, that looks quite good! Hmm...how would you get that in sib? ahaha

xD I'm using Finale for this, so I don't know; sorry. :heh:

I'll ask Sir Dot Dot Dot ^^ He uses sib. THANKS! this might be it! :)

I am not quite sure if that's what you really need because you have those runs in different octaves and clarinetist's suggestion works for only that certain octave.

Would it be possible to upload an Finale Notepad file, or possible midi or mp3?

But, just looking at it I can tell the effort you put into it.

Yeah, I know what you mean. I use finale and problems like that always happen, so i'm just "Screw you." and I don't deal with it at all xD.
But I mean, its not really that big of a deal, I'm sure the conductor can get over it. So I wouldn't worry about it.

Time is of the essence and if you work in a studio, time is money. Every screw ups you make where the conductor has to stop because it's not comprehensible, the producer will be tapping his fingers and constantly looking at his watch as you try to explain to the conductor and musicians how it's done. That's a bad sign. Keep this in mind, when writing a score, let the score do the explaining, not you.

Time is of the essence and if you work in a studio, time is money. Every screw ups you make where the conductor has to stop because it's not comprehensible, the producer will be tapping his fingers and constantly looking at his watch as you try to explain to the conductor and musicians how it's done. That's a bad sign. Keep this in mind, when writing a score, let the score do the explaining, not you.

See, I understand that completely. But the situation that brought about this debate, doesn't make the score confusing. It doesn't make the music illegible, and it doesn't require explanation. Its just a minor detail, that's what I meant. If there was a massive vertical line going through middle of the score, then yeah, fix that. But if the spaces between staves is messed up it doesn't mess with anything at all. Try to fix it yes, but it by know means should be the main problem. And when I said the conductor could get over it...
The conductor is mostly likely, not sight reading the score. He's probably already noticed the night before "oh, the spacing between those staves are weird." But he wouldn't do anything else, because its not a problem. And as for the instrumentalists, their parts wouldn't have those gaps. So they wouldn't be through off by it at all.

See, I understand that completely. But the situation that brought about this debate, doesn't make the score confusing. It doesn't make the music illegible, and it doesn't require explanation. Its just a minor detail, that's what I meant. If there was a massive vertical line going through middle of the score, then yeah, fix that. But if the spaces between staves is messed up it doesn't mess with anything at all. Try to fix it yes, but it by know means should be the main problem. And when I said the conductor could get over it...
The conductor is mostly likely, not sight reading the score. He's probably already noticed the night before "oh, the spacing between those staves are weird." But he wouldn't do anything else, because its not a problem. And as for the instrumentalists, their parts wouldn't have those gaps. So they wouldn't be through off by it at all.

Never make presumptions. A lot of times, conductors don't have time to look over it the night before. They're given a score, and they go. Again, safe better than sorry. Don't assume everything will be fine without putting the effort to assure that everything will be fine.

Furthermore, if it looks sloppy on the score, it'd reflect that the composer is a sloppy person. These little things are not about legibility or clarity, but they are representative of the composer's credibility.

Honestly, would you want to work with a person who is not credible?

You definitely need to make sure that your score is as "perfect" as possible. Just keep on thinking, "Nothing can't be helped. This can be picture perfect". It's a good goal to try and reach, and maybe people do reach that level of satisfaction with their scores. That's why Ichigos is go good haha. All this musicality and knowledge comes in so handy when dealing with these sorts of things.

Haha. Well yea. Always air for perfection with both a score or an audio recording...unless you're not focusing on something being played exactly the same every time...(COUGH....electronic whales....COUGH!)

I started working on this piece tonight :)

Amazing how I got to this though.. A local video game director asked me to create "epic Hollywood music" for his game. This is what I came up with! A little...left wing?? haha! I don't think he will accept this but I think this work has potential...just not for "epic Hollywood"....@_@....oh well!

The instrumentation is Orchestra (w. Piano) and 2 synths, with one having a Vocal Vox loaded and other, a Synth Pad. I'll supply specific analog synths next time.

The piece starts out dissonant, but I am trying to get the listener into getting used to listening to the dissonance of the song, then all of a sudden the piece turns into an emotionalist section. I am hopefully going to catch the listener off guard, thus they feel like their heart has been "yanked" more. haha.

I'm trying to create different textures and timbres too, so you'll hear instruments out of their normal range. The goal is to make them sound like something different and then at the end it goes back into a more comfortable range letting the listener know that it is actually that instrument.

Obviously the piece is incomplete, but enjoy it so far! :) I'm also looking for a better name! haha! The concept is to set the listeners ear into a certain listening prospective and then suddenly play something completely different. (eg. Atonal to tonal).

I started working on this piece tonight :)

Amazing how I got to this though.. A local video game director asked me to create "epic Hollywood music" for his game. This is what I came up with! A little...left wing?? haha! I don't think he will accept this but I think this work has potential...just not for "epic Hollywood"....@_@....oh well!

The instrumentation is Orchestra (w. Piano) and 2 synths, with one having a Vocal Vox loaded and other, a Synth Pad. I'll supply specific analog synths next time.

The piece starts out dissonant, but I am trying to get the listener into getting used to listening to the dissonance of the song, then all of a sudden the piece turns into an emotionalist section. I am hopefully going to catch the listener off guard, thus they feel like their heart has been "yanked" more. haha.

I'm trying to create different textures and timbres too, so you'll hear instruments out of their normal range. The goal is to make them sound like something different and then at the end it goes back into a more comfortable range letting the listener know that it is actually that instrument.

Obviously the piece is incomplete, but enjoy it so far! :) I'm also looking for a better name! haha! The concept is to set the listeners ear into a certain listening prospective and then suddenly play something completely different. (eg. Atonal to tonal).
I like it, but some of the longer notes give me a headache. I think that's 'cause I was working with windows error noises before hand, so no big deal.


And you use sib, that's how you get such a realistic sound! Gosh, I'm starting to think that Finale's sounds are uselessly bad quality.

That entirely depends on if you know how to use them. However, I don't think his sounds are purely Sibelius...

I think it's really cool, actually. Not a ton of organization, but if it's not finished then maybe it will come later? Anyway, really interesting.

Yeah, but finale's sounds aren't all that realistic for playback.

:x At least now with the soft synth I have!

WOA! haha! These are not sib sounds! The sib sounds are pretty bad! This is all midi sequencing with sample libraries. See my....127th post for a list. I think that's the one with the list haha!

Death- Thanks. About the organisation, it's basically about getting the listener used to listening to dissonance and weird tone colours and then coming in with something really beautiful. So I'm not sure if there will be THAT much organisation in the piece, but it will/should/might follow a pattern or something like that haha. Thanks!

Oh, just a quick note hehe. I'm performing Electronic Whales LIVE tomorrow at school haha. Should be brain melting, speaker blowing fun!!

Oh, just a quick note hehe. I'm performing Electronic Whales LIVE tomorrow at school haha. Should be brain melting, speaker blowing fun!!

Wow, I wish I was in your school!

We never have stuff like that... probably 'cause I'm still in middle schooL! lol.

haha. I'm not sure how many schools have sound installations, not as many as rock concerts I think..>< I finished the performance around 40 mins ago. It was really well received! :)

Hey everyone :)

I did an update on Breaking the Brain! (PLEASE HELP TO FIX THE TITLE ><)

I got rid of that final big with the triplets but I used some of that material to help with a new dissonant section.

I want to orchestrate more in the new dissonant section, but I have also not completed the next "beauty" section either. In the new dissonant section I have started to experiment with a few irregular rhythms and also a small Klangfarben melodyish line. In the new beauty section, I'm doing a triplet melody starting on the second of third triplet notes, but then layering it with a sort of piano melody, which I might change to be an augmented version of what the strings are playing.

Wow! I'm not even gonna try going through all the info/posts I missed out on. There is just WAY too many.
Breaking the brain is good. I like it but as you said it needs a new title. Well, reminds me of a haunted church/ Harry Potter themed piece, but that's just my opinion. Good Job. :)

I really love the use of the synthesizers in conjunction with the orchestra!

I really love the use of the synthesizers in conjunction with the orchestra!

Hey that's good to know! Thanks!

UPDATE: :)

Worked on the big dissonant-beauty song. http://www.box.net/shared/0lod6ybi4f

Also, I did a small piece of music for a friends game title screen haha. This was what I was meant to write when I started the other piece! http://www.box.net/shared/bfo636s5jc

Finished that big dissonant-beauty song! well...I lie. It's now full length, but I might still edit. Let me know what you think! :)

PS: It's now called Chaos Fairy ^^

http://www.box.net/shared/0lod6ybi4f

...T.T

I'm jealous of your talent.

P:
Can't really c+c at the moment, sorry.

The last loud part in your piece was very well placed. Was like a surprise, very abruptly done. Works fantastic! The dissonance in this piece I don't feel it so impacting. Maybe because I am used to dissonance and have enjoyed works done that are very heavy with dissonance.

Well, back to work with my stuffs. Sorry for the short comment for a long piece, maybe later I listen to it again and comment you personally. o_O

The last loud part in your piece was very well placed. Was like a surprise, very abruptly done. Works fantastic! The dissonance in this piece I don't feel it so impacting. Maybe because I am used to dissonance and have enjoyed works done that are very heavy with dissonance.

Well, back to work with my stuffs. Sorry for the short comment for a long piece, maybe later I listen to it again and comment you personally. o_O

Thanks! Yea sure! I'll see you on MSN ^^

As I said before, there are some really neat musical effects in there, but it feels like it could be shaped and formed a little more.

Cool! Thanks! Mmn, regarding the structure, I know it doesn't seem to follow much of a structure, but it's just basically going, Dissonance, Beauty, Dissonance, Beauty, Dissonance, Beauty, hopefully building on that each time.

I forgot to post my new piece :)

http://www.box.net/shared/qiabgcclqs

It's for virtual piano, fretless bass and effects mixer. I'm performing it live next Friday at my school :) This is just a midi demo, but I will have a "human" version next week.

The piece is about playing a repeating a single line, and then the effects mixer fades in different sorts of delays, reverbs, distortion and tape echoes. These lines are just midi, so they'll just repeat, but the key is musicianship. The players will be able to improvise based on these fundamental lines and depending on what effects are being mixed in. Eg, you can do a cool spill on the piano when the tape echo is on to get a cool echo-spill effect.

The piece is called “The Depictions of Everyday Life” because of how everything is repeating, but is slowing changing.

Hey that's pretty cool actually! I love the concept of the changing effects with the repeating melody. How did the live performance go? Any recordings you can share?

Hey, the live performance went well :) I haven't got the recording back yet ><

I forgot to post my new piece :)

http://www.box.net/shared/qiabgcclqs

It's for virtual piano, fretless bass and effects mixer. I'm performing it live next Friday at my school :) This is just a midi demo, but I will have a "human" version next week.

The piece is about playing a repeating a single line, and then the effects mixer fades in different sorts of delays, reverbs, distortion and tape echoes. These lines are just midi, so they'll just repeat, but the key is musicianship. The players will be able to improvise based on these fundamental lines and depending on what effects are being mixed in. Eg, you can do a cool spill on the piano when the tape echo is on to get a cool echo-spill effect.

The piece is called “The Depictions of Everyday Life” because of how everything is repeating, but is slowing changing.

Pretty cool piece - it really seems like you're starting to experiment more and more, which is always a good thing in my mind :P. Anyways, definitely a very minimalistic take with this one. The non-live version is a bit dull at parts, but I imagine incorporating improvised effects live will probably make it fresh.

Pretty cool piece - it really seems like you're starting to experiment more and more, which is always a good thing in my mind :P. Anyways, definitely a very minimalistic take with this one. The non-live version is a bit dull at parts, but I imagine incorporating improvised effects live will probably make it fresh.

Hey, yea, the piece live was just insane. The bass player I had basically tore the roof down haha!

I've done stuff recently, so I'll just post links haha! Enjoy :)

Friends of Indonesia (http://www.box.net/shared/maqo2t6rks) - So basically, through the awesome powers of facebook I have made about 6 new friends all from Indonesia haha. One of the students asked me to write HER a song, but she meant love song so I could do that. So I quickly responded with "hey, how about I write a piece for ALL my new Indonesian friends!? :P haha)

So yea haha. The piece is for 9 xylophones and uses the psycho-acoustics concept. Basically there will be so much happening that your brain won't be able to listen in on all of it, so it will automatically focus in on certain things. What it listens to can be determined by the range of pitch. So when your brain is listening to the piece and making certain patterns out of what it can organize, when the piece slowly descends then your brain will start focusing on other things that I can organize. So you will start to hear different patterns within the sound. Enjoy! (Sorry for the long explanation ><)

Warp Lapse (http://www.box.net/shared/h29iv7kek7) - Not a longer explanation. I finished a soundtrack so I decided to do a pop song last night :) Obviously I haven't recorded the voice yet with the lyrics (In Japanese), so I have a synth for a substitute (the one that sounds vintage!). However do try to imagine a nice voice there instead haha. Enjoy!

After 3 months...Bai-TEN-SHIN IS FINISHED!!!!!!

http://www.box.net/shared/xumykk3qi1

Super! Very well done! The production and composition of it is very good. The only thing that I did not like was that faded out and did not feel a strong closing. The rest is fantastic.

Super! Very well done! The production and composition of it is very good. The only thing that I did not like was that faded out and did not feel a strong closing. The rest is fantastic.

Thanks! Oh, this is video game music, it loops, so yea. haha. it will fade ><

Did you use a different compression than the usual one you do? This one worked in my speakers so well that I could turn the volume very high without getting much of those noise you get when things are very loud.

I've done stuff recently, so I'll just post links haha! Enjoy :)

Friends of Indonesia (http://www.box.net/shared/maqo2t6rks) - So basically, through the awesome powers of facebook I have made about 6 new friends all from Indonesia haha. One of the students asked me to write HER a song, but she meant love song so I could do that. So I quickly responded with "hey, how about I write a piece for ALL my new Indonesian friends!? :P haha)

So yea haha. The piece is for 9 xylophones and uses the psycho-acoustics concept. Basically there will be so much happening that your brain won't be able to listen in on all of it, so it will automatically focus in on certain things. What it listens to can be determined by the range of pitch. So when your brain is listening to the piece and making certain patterns out of what it can organize, when the piece slowly descends then your brain will start focusing on other things that I can organize. So you will start to hear different patterns within the sound. Enjoy! (Sorry for the long explanation ><)

Warp Lapse (http://www.box.net/shared/h29iv7kek7) - Not a longer explanation. I finished a soundtrack so I decided to do a pop song last night :) Obviously I haven't recorded the voice yet with the lyrics (In Japanese), so I have a synth for a substitute (the one that sounds vintage!). However do try to imagine a nice voice there instead haha. Enjoy!

Friends of Indonesia is rather Steve Reich-ish - with the numerous immediate canons, reminds me of his "[X] Counterpoint" stuff. I don't quite like how you just transpose the phrases downward - surely, there are more interesting ways of developing it, no? I do like the sound and textures though. Wonder how your friends reacted to this - minimalistic stuff tend to drive most casual listeners nuts :P.

Not much to say on the other piece, though it does sound like it's coming along alright. You sure like to use that lead synth though, don't you? I recognize it from a number of your other pieces.

@ Nyu - No I didn't actually, but I mixed it wayyyy different. I took a more pro-tools approach, where I recorded everything seperately (Eg, Orchestra, and then the main material which had the drums, guitar, harpsichord and then the rest of the electronics all separate files. Then I imported into a now folder to mix. I also added the bass on that file.

@ Shizeet - Thanks! Haha. It was really interesting seeing some friends reactions. It was half amazement when they picked out a new pattern, half headache! ahaha! I'll do more interesting things if I do another piece :) Thanks!

Hey guys! I have something a bit different this time for you guys to hear.

I got some really amazing news so I'm desperately working on my mixing skills. That means NO MORE MUDDY ORCHESTRA! So, I have done a few little tests with existing songs. I basically did a really bad 1-1:30 min arrangement of Theme of Love, Suteki da ne and Mononoke Hime. Theme of Love has heaps of mistakes and over-orchestration and Suteki da ne has an abysmal ending, but I was focusing on the mix, so it would be great to get some feedback about the clarity of the sound etc. Thanks~ Enjoy!

Theme of Love (http://www.box.net/shared/p97hnbylt0)

Suteki da ne (http://www.box.net/shared/oua6dg40ec)

Mononoke Hime (http://www.box.net/shared/cgzlzlxp5y)

Hey Everyone! Thank for looking at my music again ><

I wrote this song when I was 13, but I just updated it (technologically wise) today! haha!

Enjoy!

http://www.box.net/shared/5jfk2b3yml

Fix the link. :P

Fix the link. :P

thanks!

Wrote this song yesterday and finalized it today. Enjoy! It's called Remembering Friends! I'm actually about to finish high school to this song means a lot.

http://www.box.net/shared/hj43nf1d05

Is it a different piano sample? The composition is cool and the production too! Love how the reverberation is working here and the piano high notes like a bell! Well done! It shows your improvement!

Oh man, I'm so behind...

Great new piece, I love the chord progressions. I think my only criticism is that the melody could be focused a little better. It seemed like there were a couple of phrases where it jumped around a lot and seemed a little less driving than it could have been. However, most of them were fine.

PS. Did you REALLY ask me to become a fan on Facebook? lol!

Hey thanks! Yea haha. I sent a invitation to all haha!

I am a fan of Kevin Penkin already! Join in! Haha

bahaha

New Composition!

This is a "Final Battle" piece that is using features of Baroque music such as polyphony and Baroque style melody write (at times), as well as features from the 20th century, such as Isorhythms, Modes and Quartal Harmony. Combined with some synths and given the video game feel! ^^ Enjoy!

http://www.box.net/shared/ysqgaaesrd

Wow, this is long, but I like it. I can see some resemblance to Koji Kondo, but not too much...

New Composition!

This is a "Final Battle" piece that is using features of Baroque music such as polyphony and Baroque style melody write (at times), as well as features from the 20th century, such as Isorhythms, Modes and Quartal Harmony. Combined with some synths and given the video game feel! ^^ Enjoy!

http://www.box.net/shared/ysqgaaesrd

Kind of reminds of the FFX Final Battle theme - not so much in style as in form though. Both have this sort of forward flowing momentum that goes beyond the normal looped battle theme. Good stuff.

Thanks. It's nice to know you don't consider this a normal battle theme ^^

I think it was great. :)

I'm replace the FF VII battle theme (PC) with this.

Glad you liked it! :) Thanks :)

It's been a long time since I came on Ichigos. You're music is as great as how I remember them to be. I've listened to some of them numerous times and learned alot from them :shifty: cheers!

thanks ^^

That kind of looks like a spam post...

I'm not sure what it is haha

I don't know what else to tell you but I like it! Would you mind elaborating on the production and how you got this composition to sound the way it did?

Glad you liked it. Er...production haha.. Not tooooo much reverb. Tried to get a good balance between the electronic and acoustic instruments. Tried to not make the mix too muddy (which I half failed at haha!), but yea...that ^^ Anything in particular?

The piano and clarinet piece is very relaxing. You created a very peaceful atmosphere with that piece. The only thing that I have to say is that that repetition after what seemed to be a closing of the piece, felt not necessary. I was hoping to hear something new. A bit of contrast of what you exposed. Otherwise, the piece as a whole, is fantastic, well done and peaceful.

Thanks Nyu ^^ I see what you mean with the contrast, but I don't think I would change it, just keep those suggestions for the next song haha.

~Kevin

Hey Guys :) I've been doing a lot so I'll highlight a few haha.

One is an experimental piece. I only use my voice. I recorded passages and put them through hell :) Feel free to listen. (http://www.box.net/shared/v6qszy85o7)

The second one is to a youtube link. I've been accepted as a composer for the fan made game FF ZERO. I've done like...7 or 8 tracks so far (depending on when you're reading this) but the director has uploaded one of my comps and also some of the other guy's comps onto the youtube (http://www.youtube.com/PetrosofSparta). My one that is uploaded so far is is "Get Out" (http://www.youtube.com/PetrosofSparta#p/u/0/0FvykoUN6Og)

I'm also recording a Chinese Dixie song at a studio this Friday, with real Erhu and Chinese singer, so that is going to be amazing. I'll upload that when I've done it :)

Ohhhhhhhhhh yea haha. I did a mammoth update to my website, so fele free to check out HRS.com!!! (http://web.mac.com/happyramenstudios)

Juss! ^^

I really love how your music covers such a broad range of well, everything. I've never seen anyone so skillfully combine electronic music, and standard classical music the way you do. I'm really quite amazed. Your Electro Acousic Sonata was magnificent, as is everything else you've posted here.

I'm a quite a fan.

eee.... haha. There are more talented people :P

"Get out" is really really great! It very much reminded me of some of the music from FFXII and some of the music from Secret of Mana. I love the Celtic feeling instrumentation/modality/rhythm; it was really fun. I feel like it should somehow correspond to some theme in a town somewhere in the game, though, maybe one related to where you are trying to escape (if that makes any sense). Maybe that's just wishful thinking because I like the Celtic feel so much.

Electo Acoustic Sonata is really long, so I didn't listen to all of it, but I really like some of the interesting effects going on, and some of the interesting harmonies created. How long did it take you to record all the material that you "put through hell", so to speak?

"Get out" is really really great! It very much reminded me of some of the music from FFXII and some of the music from Secret of Mana. I love the Celtic feeling instrumentation/modality/rhythm; it was really fun. I feel like it should somehow correspond to some theme in a town somewhere in the game, though, maybe one related to where you are trying to escape (if that makes any sense). Maybe that's just wishful thinking because I like the Celtic feel so much.

Electo Acoustic Sonata is really long, so I didn't listen to all of it, but I really like some of the interesting effects going on, and some of the interesting harmonies created. How long did it take you to record all the material that you "put through hell", so to speak?

Glad you liked it! The Electo. was just done in one late night. I set up the piece with massive speakers in a big room at school the next day, turned the lights off and gave listening sessions. I made people trip out ahaha.

I set up the piece with massive speakers in a big room at school the next day, turned the lights off and gave listening sessions. I made people trip out ahaha.

That is amazing thing to do! XD

That is amazing thing to do! XD

It was great fun haha. I got the sound on the threshold of being painful, but it wasn't. When you get that sound, it feels like your ears are actually producing sound haha. A great quote about this from a recently passed away artist called Maryanne Amacher (RIP)

"When played at the right sound level, which is quite high and exciting, the tones in this music will cause your ears to act as neurophonic instruments that emit sounds that will seem to be issuing directly from your head ... (my audiences) discover they are producing a tonal dimension of the music which interacts melodically, rhythmically, and spatially with the tones in the room. Tones 'dance' in the immediate space of their body, around them like a sonic wrap, cascade inside ears, and out to space in front of their eyes ... Do not be alarmed! Your ears are not behaving strange or being damaged! ... these virtual tones are a natural and very real physical aspect of auditory perception, similar to the fusing of two images resulting in a third three dimensional image in binocular perception ... I want to release this music which is produced by the listener ..."

Yeah, the phenomenon is actually basically distortion on your eardrums, is it not? Anyway, I'd love to hear it on speakers; I bet this piece would work a lot better that way than with headphones...

They're not related at all, but it's like what 3D does for your eyes, but for your ears? I don't know how to describe it well but it's an incredible experience.

All of those were mindbogglingly awesome.

I can't even criticize one thing about them, real nice work there.

(I wish my composition teacher was HALF as good as you are)

Your FFZ tracks were just awsome! Beautiful pieces! I was watching the battle demo. The graphics brought so much nostalgia I couldn't help laughing.

All of those were mindbogglingly awesome.

I can't even criticize one thing about them, real nice work there.

(I wish my composition teacher was HALF as good as you are)

Glad you liked it haha, but you composition teacher would be better. He/she would have a degree.


Your FFZ tracks were just awsome! Beautiful pieces! I was watching the battle demo. The graphics brought so much nostalgia I couldn't help laughing.

Only "Get Out" was mine, but I think all the music there is really good ^^

Glad you liked it haha, but you composition teacher would be better. He/she would have a degree.

Nah, she's far too technical. Music isn't about "rules" infact, I find, the only way to get something truly great is to break them. But, the only way to get something truly BAD is to break them, as well. The rules appear to be the "middle" point.

Nah, she's far too technical. Music isn't about "rules" infact, I find, the only way to get something truly great is to break them. But, the only way to get something truly BAD is to break them, as well. The rules appear to be the "middle" point.

Rules are important. They provide a basis on which you can THEN build on, or ignore. The same rules would apply for multiple fields of practice. Don't think of if it a horrible thing haha.

I agree. You should read my post on zippy's thread. Rules and limitations are essential for composing; however, you are the one who should make the rules and set the limitations. I I think the rules you learn from a composition teacher or theory teacher are important to give you an idea of where to start, especially if you plan to write tonal music.

I agree; rules are important. But, the ones they teach (as in, all of them) limit me to not be ABLE to write what's in my head for my music assignments.

Yea, it can also apply to atonal music too, just in a different way. It can sound messy, but if it's done properly there would be a order or a sophistication to it. Eg the 12 tone system. I also find that sometime limitations, such as certain rules or boundaries challenge you to create something more unique and interesting. The best example would definitely be NES music vs Todays. NES has such a limited palate but created amazing music, yet I listen to music by the same composer that is coming out today and it feels like it's more focused on production then the composition itself. That's something I personally don't want to value over the composition.

I agree. You should read my post on zippy's thread. Rules and limitations are essential for composing; however, you are the one who should make the rules and set the limitations. I I think the rules you learn from a composition teacher or theory teacher are important to give you an idea of where to start, especially if you plan to write tonal music.


Rules are important. They provide a basis on which you can THEN build on, or ignore. The same rules would apply for multiple fields of practice. Don't think of if it a horrible thing haha.

I don't, but I have this one horrible instance the reminds me that rules are optional. I had this wonderful sounding piccolo solo in my head, and a wrote it down and sounded just as good, but I couldn't turn it in because it broke some rules she taught use (even though it was the only part in the whole composition the broke ANY rules)

I agree; rules are important. But, the ones they teach (as in, all of them) limit me to not be ABLE to write what's in my head for my music assignments.

Think of it as a forced way of running before walking. It's likely going to benefit you in the future.

Can you read my post after that?

I already know the rules though >.> from 6th grade.

Can you read my post after that?

I already know the rules though >.> from 6th grade.

Well if you had this wonderful piccolo line, even if it did break the rules and she couldn't accept it, just store it until you want to use it in a work. If you're taking composition lessons, I'm assuming it's by choice. And plus. She would have good intentions in limiting you like this.

Exactly. There are just going to be times when you write something really great, but it doesn't fit in with what you are writing now. In that case, save it for later when you can really do something with it. I think keeping to your system is important, and you should trust your composition teacher.

Well okay. I understand where you're coming from. If you wish to continue this, let's take this to my topic, 'cause this topic's about Kevin's music, no my own. ^.^

Meh, it's my post thread and I don't mind haha.

Haha okay then, but this is pretty much settled, though.

Also, I'd hate to blatently advertise my thread right in yours, but I actually DO need help with "Perverse Angel" so if you wouldn't mind giving out some C+C....

Lastly, any news on your FF compositions?

Haha. Well yea. More stuff written and he liked it. I'll post it when I have time. I'm off to record that Chinese Dixie song now, so I'll post that when I get back later! Thanks for the cool convo! To summarize, what you're learning or what you're being restricted by may be annoying but not matter if it's appreciated or not now, it will most likely be very beneficial to your future compositional life and how you compose.

Haha, thanks. And, it's basically like every other subject in school, then. Haha.

I guess that saying here IS true: Every flower looks different, but they all Blossomed with water and sun.

The recording went really well. Feel free to see the album and I'll upload the song after mixing next Tuesday.

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=30789285&l=a9ff9df417&id=1307528266

Haha, okay, cool! Can't wait for it!

lol I never thought I would see u on ichigo forums kevin, but seeing as how great you are I should have known.
I need to start uploading my pieces on here again. People gave some really good feedback...

You're who I think you are? Max05XIII? haha

lol yeah its me.
I used to be an active member on this site a long time ago...
Im going to start posting songs again and get some feedback.

Yeah! Do that :)

Yoshi! The Chinese Dixie song is all done :)

Enjoy haha!

ahahaha, did you write the lyrics yourself? sounds like the songs I sang when I was in kindergarden. I am going to put that in my fav list lol. Is that an Erhu I hear? I think you could have done a bit more gliss for it during its solo if it was. Who's the song dedicated to? I can't really make out the name at the start.

Two Thumbs UP!!

Great composition and production!

ahahaha, did you write the lyrics yourself? sounds like the songs I sang when I was in kindergarden. I am going to put that in my fav list lol. Is that an Erhu I hear? I think you could have done a bit more gliss for it during its solo if it was. Who's the song dedicated to? I can't really make out the name at the start.

Two Thumbs UP!!

Hey :) No, the singer wrote the lyrics. Yeah, it's a real erhu! ahaha. I found out that Erhu's are more for longer notes, so glisses were harder to perform at a quicker tempo. Maybe if I write music for Erhu again I will use longer notes for the erhu.

Oh, well the song is for a student's movie, and I believe the main character is called Blake. But I don't think we had it in the lyrics haha. Then again, I don't listen to lyrics well! ahaha. Thanks!


Great composition and production!

Glad you liked it! :)

Yesterday I listened to Bai ten shi from my mp3 player in the bus. I believe that is one of your best tracks. You did many creative and fun stuffs in that track. The three months were worth enough for have that great result! I still feel the same for the ending, though.

Yesterday I listened to Bai ten shi from my mp3 player in the bus. I believe that is one of your best tracks. You did many creative and fun stuffs in that track. The three months were worth enough for have that great result! I still feel the same for the ending, though.

Thanks. Glad you still like it :)

I should give an update haha. I contacted the Perth branch of a Japanese Game Company based in Osaka. The reason they have a branch in Perth is because I think Perth is the sister city. Anyway, so I have contacted the Perth
Rep and he said there are a lot of projects, and they have no composers in Perth. So yeah. I am trying to get a job at a company called Floor (http://www.floor.co.jp/).

To tie in with the attachment. Kayla (girlfriend) is now is close contact with Youmi Kimura (Always with Me) composer/performer, and from the recordings I have done with her in the past, Kimura-san was really impressed with her voice so far. To top that off, she got a Ghibli Application form and a personal message from Miyazaki-San saying that he liked how she could speak both Japanese and Italian haha. Although, I don't know that full content of the letter. Either way, they are both interested in her voice, so I am writing some songs for Kayla's voice. This isn't recorded yet, so the vocal line is doubled by another piano. Enjoy :)

Edit: Comp description! haha. It's basically using only 2 chords though the entire songs, the melody operated on I think...Lydian mode most of the time, or at least A mode haha. Also the very last note is used to create a touch of dissonance haha. Because I'm mood breaking like that ^^ So yeah. Minimalism, Modes and Dissonance ^^ Kayla's voice will transform the piece though. Oh, Iro means colour, so it ties in with the piece too :)

Awesome dude! I wish you all the best success!

I liked the color song too! Around 3:55 I hear a slight popping sound in the left channel, you might want to check that out. How do you do your piano stuff? Do you add the MIDI notes with a pressure sensitive keyboard, record yourself playing, or spend ten years changing all the note velocities in your sequencer?

I have a 49 key midi controller, which is horrible for expressive piano. The melody is played on that controller so you can hear the difference from the piano line, which was recorded on a weighted, full keyboard. Great for piano :) Thanks for noticing the pop. I never noticed it before now. I'll try and get rid of it when I re-mix with Kayla's voice. What did happen..? haha

I like it a lot, but it's hard for me to imagine that as a vocal melody...

I'll show you soon then :)

I like it, too. You keep it very basic without boring us to tears--an accomplishment many a minimalist composer has yet to attain. I really like the piano flourishes about half-way through. (I assume that's not sung, anyway.)

The accompaniment kind of makes me think of Fauré if he were a minimalist. Ever heard his Sicilienne?

Thanks, no I haven't. Can you link me? Thanks!

I have so far done 2 Hybrid Techno songs for this racing game, so I thought I might share them! :)

http://www.box.net/shared/sizuke85ne (Octane on the Highway)

http://www.box.net/shared/uk8qj2rapk (High Pulse)

Both songs are focused on the concept of pulse. So the main theme (Octane) goes through many different feelings that you could get while driving, however High Pulse is just pretty...well yeah. BAM! haha.

Enjoy!

Here's a kind of slow recording, but you can get the gist of it:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t4ZbUbN2OPE

Ohhhhhhhhhhhhh! I know this hahaha! I just forgot the name! haha. Yeah I see what you mean.

Iro was recorded!!!! Feel free to listen at...

http://web.mac.com/happyramenstudios/Happy_Ramen_Studios/Music.html

Okay, wow. Iro is really nice with Kayla's voice. It sounds like its from an anime movie, haha.
Octane on the Highway... not the type of techno I was expecting but just as good. I love how towards the end it goes slow then comes to a stop and starts up again. Pretty much the same for High Pulse except for this one you can actually hear its for a cartoon car game like Mario Kart. Hehe, really interesting new things.

Is it just me or is most of your music Japanese themed?

Well...I guess? haha Thanks, glad you liked it ^^

Iro was beautiful. It was really fantastic.

You should REALLY be a professional.
For now on the question "Who's your favorite musician?", my answer will be Kevin Penkin. It's the truth. ^.-

hmmmmmm. no say someone better! haha. to really change the pace from Iro, feel free to listen to "Steady Flow"

But... I really do love your music. 'Specially "Clouds Vs Waves", sounds like a song in Tales of Legendia lol.

**Will edit this post when the song finishes downloading on my hella slow internet**

Excuse my french, but HOLY SHIT!

That's really, really awesome. Though, I would mess with the back beat a lil' more. But, that's just me.

Thanks for liking my music. Means a lot :) Can't wait to see your response haha!

Response is posted.

got it, thanks, yeah i might. thing is, I write to spontaneously I like to listen to it over days and days to see if I want to change something. I only did this over the last 2 hours so I'll listen to this, with everyones responses in mind and then if an idea comes, I'll change the song haha. Thanks!!!!

Just a quick question. How long have you been composing?

ee....like....since i was 7-10? lol I don't know for sure, but I'm 17 now so a while. At least 7 years.

Oh wow. I've been composing for only a year... less than that. I first started earlier this year in the summer....

7 is really young for that. Good fer you.

I don't think it was 7 now that I think about it. Maybe around 9 or so. Well it doesn't matter what age you start, everyone has their own pace, but I mean, it's not like you won't get better :)

Yeah.

Oh, and do you have an MSN, or AIM or something.

Because I really need help with one of my pieces (And I can't get to my composition teacher 'till the second of December)
If you would share it, just PM it to me, please.

yeah, kevinpenkin@hotmail.com (msn)

Okay can you sign in. o.0 Lol.

I need help with something that isn't close to being ready to even share for advice on the forum.

Serious question, when you replace Uematsu at Square, can you apprentice me? :heh: Just finished listening to some of your new pieces, as always I enjoyed thoroughly. When are you going tppointeo start composing professionally!

Serious question, when you replace Uematsu at Square, can you apprentice me? :heh: Just finished listening to some of your new pieces, as always I enjoyed thoroughly. When are you going tppointeo start composing professionally!

Pleeeeeeeease don't say that ahaha!

Back ^^ Umm so yeah. A lot of compos ahaha, no change. Umm. Yeah. I uploaded a lot on to youtube so feel free to look at the list and such, but I'll focus one that I did after my youtube uploading frenzy haha. Let's just say I got very deep with a friend and this was the fruit of that convo. We talked about life and happiness and how maybe some people will only find happiness when they die. This song is mean to represent those final moment before you die where you can truly say "I am happy".

You have a really good sense of how to make instruments blend. This is really good mood-music, but I wish you had more memorable themes, and some cool counter-point. Wow, I just heard the violins come in under the solo violin. You really did capture the mood. I hope you're pleased with the outcome. Well done.

You have a really good sense of how to make instruments blend. This is really good mood-music, but I wish you had more memorable themes, and some cool counter-point. Wow, I just heard the violins come in under the solo violin. You really did capture the mood. I hope you're pleased with the outcome. Well done.

Hey thanks so much for listening. It's great to see that you liked it :) I guess I will work on the melody skills then! hahaha. Glad you liked the counterpoint too. Just a quick side note, it's actually Viola, because I wanted to go for a slightly more mellow tone and I felt Viola would fit more then a Violin in this case.

I'll get to all of these eventually... let's go backwards for now.

[QUOTE=Kevin Penkin;437568]After Birth[QUOTE]
I like this. It is very tranquil. Lyrics are randomly appearing in my head for this. Very relaxing.

I do kind of wish there were a major(ish) transition. I don't really know what (helpful; I know), but I feel like it could use it. I have......................................no idea why, but "Inner Universe" from Ghost in the Shell is coming in my head as I type this.

>_>

I don't think it was 7 now that I think about it. Maybe around 9 or so. Well it doesn't matter what age you start, everyone has their own pace, but I mean, it's not like you won't get better :)
I compose as crappily now as when I started (in fourth grade), lol. I think school fries my brain.