So I have a purevolume page with 12 songs I've written, styles ranging from jazzy drum and bass to new age to something that could come out of an anime soundtrack. I would like some constructive criticisms for the songs, whether it be if a song was enjoyable or not, emotionally struck a chord or not, had some strange music theory weirdness you noticed, etc. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

http://www.purevolume.com/watermint/albums/Bridge+of+Dreams

I MUST ASK WHAT PROGRAM YOU USED TO COMPOSE REACH TO YOU!!! those nostalgic guitar sounds from megaman..ahhhh

I hate how their player doesn't have volume control...at least that I can find; the music is kinda loud. I like it though. I guess my biggest criticism for the stuff that I listened to is that it's kind of unoriginal. It's fun, but it's not particularly innovative.

I'm curious, though. What's your musical background?

Making small rhythmic changes in "Entering the tomb" would help to break the repetitive pattern of your percussion. The mid and end of a phrase are the best places to do those little things. If is possible, you should add a dynamism to the percussion, don't leave all the velocities at the same level, variate them moderately. So your repetitions can feel more 'natural'.

Those two things would help the piece to not feel monotonous since you have the percussion in the foreground.

I MUST ASK WHAT PROGRAM YOU USED TO COMPOSE REACH TO YOU!!! those nostalgic guitar sounds from megaman..ahhhh
All the songs I made using Finale Notepad 2008. The program used to be free, but you can download it for $10 at finalemusic.com. It's a kinda limited program, but isn't bad for its price if you know how to use it right.


I hate how their player doesn't have volume control...at least that I can find; the music is kinda loud. I like it though. I guess my biggest criticism for the stuff that I listened to is that it's kind of unoriginal. It's fun, but it's not particularly innovative.

I'm curious, though. What's your musical background?
Yeah, I'm not a fan of purevolume either. It's a temporary thing. I'm also aware the music isn't the most original, what I've been doing is trying to write songs in styles I like, while putting a little personal touch each time, and slowly getting better at composing and originality. It's worked so far.

And my musical background isn't too impressive. I played trumpet for a year in elementary school, sung for two years in middle school and got a guitar, but didn't really do anything with it. Three years ago I started to learn violin, then drums, ocarina, back to guitar, last year joined choir again at school and I also play bass, mess around with piano a bit, but don't really know much. However, I've composed something like, 87 songs, (a few before that without knowledge of music theory) and the vast majority are nothing great. I kinda learned composing as I went along. Oh, and I did take a music theory class last year.



Making small rhythmic changes in "Entering the tomb" would help to break the repetitive pattern of your percussion. The mid and end of a phrase are the best places to do those little things. If is possible, you should add a dynamism to the percussion, don't leave all the velocities at the same level, variate them moderately. So your repetitions can feel more 'natural'.

Those two things would help the piece to not feel monotonous since you have the percussion in the foreground.
Hm, never thought about that. It's a good idea, thanks.

Any other thoughts would be appreciated. ^^

Ah, cool.