This is my first attempt at writting a song, let alone a Fugue -_- and someone told me that some of the parts 'clashed'. I am having difficulties in fixing that without making my so called 'polyphonic' work sound just like broken chords. XD It's also a bit short....please leave any feedback at all, whether it be positive/negative/something outtta 10?/help and suggestions would be appreciated!

X_X

Fugues are very hard to compose . . nice try though =P but for your first song, don't attempt a fugue! (I had to give up writing my fugue many times now, so I know how difficult it can be)

To be honest, I couldn't hear any definitive chords . . try to study up on counterpoint (basically the subject and answer are invertible) . . and as for the length of the song, worry about that later. Once you get the harmony and counterpoint down, you can worry about the form of the general fugue.

Al, you're right about the chords, I didn't pick any at all! I just started with a 'subject' and then just placed it in different 'voices' without considering chords. :( If a ditch this fugue, i'll need to composed something else from the 'Baroque' period. Maybe a prelude?...or something else....... :think:

If you're up for a tough read, I'd suggest getting "The Study of Counterpoint" and "The Study of Fugue" by Johann Josef Fux (a.k.a. J.J. Fux). They'll teach you all you need to know about the Baroque and late renaissance techniques of counterpoint. :)

Also, the subject is fairly lengthy for a "newbie" fugue. I suggest you do a search for Pachelbel's Fugues: they have relatively simple, short themes which are then elaborated upon with the interweaving of answers to the initial subject, as well as simple yet complex episodes. They are much better to learn off of than trying to make something instantly "Bach-y".

When the answer is stated, did you make it a fifth or a fourth up? Also, when you state the answer, do you do it modally or do you use accidentals to retain the intervals? Is it a real or tonal answer?

There does not seem to be any fairly noticeable episodes: I suggest that you study a treatise on fugue theory to give you ideas how to fix this. :) Here's a great link to the anatomy of a fugue:

http://www.kunstderfuge.com/theory/smith/anatomy.htm

It's a valiant attempt at a fugue, considering it's your first! But I suggest you start with some more contemporary forms of song-writing until you have enough knowledge of harmony and counterpoint to implement them in a fugal piece. :)

I like how the ending of the song seems to taper off; it's very creative. However, most fugues would result in a stronger, more harmonic ending, especially one with a cadence. I would also suggest that you incorporate a codetta or coda at the end. You can read about this in the essay I linked to earlier in this post.

In the mean time, you may want to order a copy of J.S. Bach's "The Art of Fugue" and analyze it.

G'luck on your Baroque journey of composition, and may it be yieldy of many fruitful fugues! :)

:lol: Thank you for all that info Gnomish! I'll definately look out for those books!
:sweatdrop: I think my answer went up to the dominant...using accidentals, so i guess it's not a tonal answer.

P.S. How do I compose something contemporary? :cold: I'm still new to it...

wt... heck? Contemporary means modern, right?
Well... if you wanna know some contemporary tips, just think. Hum something that sounds good, and put it on paper. Then, write a chord progression, changing and tweaking as you go along (then, as my special "thing" add a finale). Contemporary stuff can be any kind of music. think. theres so many types, that any music you compose could be considered modern. Don't sweat what kind... take a look at my repertoire... there aren't too many "FUGues, or Etudes, or Sonatinas... mebbe that's the key. Don't think of a name until after you write it (then you don't have a 'form' to adhere to). That is my advice, take it or leave it. :governator: :scream: :vampire: :ranting: :rockon: :jerry: :drinking: