I've noticed of late that the CMA has been very inactive lately. The Christmas CMA still has no judging results as far as we know, and the February CMA came to a fast halt after not enough people submitted a song for it. And where is the March CMA?

Perhaps those concerned with updating/running the CMA are too preoccupied to bother with it these days? Will there be any more CMAs, even?

After trying multiple times to attain the winner place, I've yet to succeed, and the inactivity of the CMA institution has sealed my chances... at least until it will be revived. I mustn't be alone in this issue, either.

What do you all think?

Yeah, but the music mods appear to be out of commission, and they're the ones who organize everything ._.

Aye, I've only entered one CMA so far, but if it continued I'm sure I'd be able to submit something at some point... maybe we could organise our own CMA?

*laments the death of the Chrimbo competition* It's sad seeing all that work go to waste - we could organise a poll or something and then people vote in the same way as the CMA?

maybe we could organise our own CMA?

I think that's a good idea- we could all vote on a theme/genre of music and then, after the deadline, we could have a poll for the winner like madmazda said (at least i think that's what you meant?). It is a shame that there hasn't been one since christmas...

on second thoughts, maybe if we didn't have a theme or genre, maybe more people would enter, because it would be more open??

on second thoughts, maybe if we didn't have a theme or genre, maybe more people would enter, because it would be more open??

Your right about that.

Alright, I think it's been decided, we'll have our own little CMA :heh:

We just have to decide on a theme and decide on who will make the threads.

Edit: Er wait, I just confused myself for a second . . *gets it cleared up* so we're going to make next month's CMA as well as set up a voting system for the Christmas CMA ^^

mabye we shouldnt have a theme.......we would get more ppl like thorn said.

Al: The man with a plan! :P

Good thinking, everyone!

just wondering........Can I help organize it too.. :unsure:

Originally posted by badgerglue@Mar 21 2005, 06:09 PM
mabye we shouldnt have a theme.......we would get more ppl like thorn said.
The problem with abolishing the theme concept (as was decided with the previous CMAs) was that it is hard to judge two pieces of work that are in different categories. We want it to be fair and easy =)

@badgerglue: We're all helping to organize this, right? ^^

Well, then let me relay the idea that I'd sent to michael a while ago about the CMA, though he seemed somewhat dubious about it:


.....Anyways, I have an suggestion for a future motif; why not have a "team"-composition contest, in which contestants pair up in twos and collaboratively work on a single piece. The pairings can be set up so that previous contest winners will be paired up with those who haven't won yet (preferrably those new to composition); this way, it can be a great learning experience for the initiate, and a nice challege for the expert. So, what do you think?

Sorry, spc1st, but I abhor the idea of sharing the credit of a piece which is derived from my intellect with a novice....

Maybe we should do away with the theme idea... I guess it's not too hard to come up with ways to judge separate pieces, even if they aren't under one certain category.... I don't know, but I always felt like the themes that the judges would pick would never be the type(s) of songs that I would have proficiency in composing.

Maybe we should vote on each month's theme.

It's a nice idea spc1st, but it wouldn't work . . first off, it's so difficult for two people to find the time and collaborate together (especially considering the internet restrictions). Second, how would it be accomplished? I mean, it's music, it's emotions, it's tangible . . how do you express your intentions properly with words? It's one thing to give advice, "yeah, change the tempo . . watch out for the cadence . . wrong note there!" but, it's another thing to compose a piece. Two people will have two different styles of writing, a different way of getting the work done . .

~

As for the theme idea, I don't mind if there is one or not. I'm still going to vote for the song I like the most. But just recently, I have been leaning towards no theme . . ah, we really need somebody to decide these things for us! It's either that or a vote! =P

Nooo, if we vote on the theme as WELL as the compositions it's gonna be a forum full of polls X_X People interpret the theme in different ways anyway. What if people say what theme their composition reflects? Then it's a matter of deciding whether the song reflects the theme they have chosen as with all CMAs, only people have selected a different theme to each other. I think this would free up creative license a lot more.

I suppose it's true that it'd be hard and time-consuming to pull it off, though it's certainly possible, Al. Check out the attachment below; it was a piece done by two of my fellow composers from another forum who created it by composing in turns, switching off every measure. However, it flows so fluidly that you'd be hard-press to believe without knowledge beforehand... though admittedly, they are both excellent and experience composers.

As far as themes go, I think we need some sort of basis to better "normalize" the entries. If there were no limitations, someone can make a musique concrete piece and another person, a renaissance imitation piece (;)), it would really be hard to qualitively judge them, outside of production values (which isn't something that should be seriously judged, considering the disparatity in everyone's 'equipment'). Themes are really nice cause it allows for many different approaches, yet still provide an (although subjective) end to equalize everything in. A compromising solution to is perhaps allow a couple of concurrent themes per each event, so that the contestants have a choice in what they want to do, but it would still be feasible to judge them relative to the idea they chose (though it may be hard to judge two good entries based on different themes).

Ooo, a selection of themes is a good idea.

@ madmazda: I meant to vote in this thread :heh:

@ spc1st: That song was amazing T_T . . but like you said, they were both excellent and experienced, and they were able to collaberate together in their own way =P but I don't know, I still don't think people would be up for it . .

First things first, somebody should decide who'll set up the thread/poll for the Christmas competition!!

In the meantime, we can continue discussing the next CMA here . . so, having a selection of themes is a good idea for everyone?

I believe a variety of voting options would be great for the CMAs in the future.

One thing that concerns me, however, is whether or not our compositions will contain not only thematic constraints but technical restraints as well, I.E. the song cannot be between x and y minutes, the song must contain x instruments including a y instrument, etc.

Hmm . . well in my opinion, just like in the past, we should have a maximum limit on the number of minutes, otherwise it could go on forever. As for minimum, I don't know yet. But if it's of a decent length, then it should be reasonable for everyone?

I also think that the 'type' of instruments used isn't as important as the 'number' used. There is a huge difference between something chamber and something orchestral . .

I guess what I'm trying to say is that the fewer technical restraints, the better :heh:

Hmm . . how about we get things started? If nobody complains, then within the next few hours I'll set up the voting thread for the Christmas composition? =)

Go Al! :D

Al's being the fabulous guy that he is and arranging to have my bagpipe composition recorded today, so think he might not have had time to set up the thread - sooooo... *sets one up*

Thanks ^^

Now, back on track for the next CMA =) *waits for others' input*

Desert Theme?

Romance Theme?

Upbeat Theme?

Mystery Theme?

Forest Theme?

Town Theme?

Seaside Theme?

Sailing Theme?

Maybe we could choose 2 or 3? I think one of the themes should be Spring, cheesy as it is and even though it's getting into Autumn here XD Would this be an April CMA, I'm assuming?

Further theme suggestions:

Silly Season
No Piano Allowed (for those people who like to use Piano a LOT XD)
The Time of Day

Great ideas ^^ Hmm, yeah I think 2 - 3 themes would be best . .

We could have:

1) A spring or autumn theme (appropriate for the season in whichever hemisphere you happen to live in =P)
2) An RPG theme (something from Gnomish's list)
3) Something else theme (I like the 'no piano allowed' idea! hahaha)

I don't know, something like that should provide enough variety for everyone?

I also think the no piano idea is a good one! Spring/Autumn as a theme would be good, because that would give people a huge scope, because several smaller themes could come under this.

I would suggest 5-6 mins as a maximum length, but i don't know about minimums?

Originally posted by Al@Mar 23 2005, 06:00 AM
3) Something else theme (I like the 'no piano allowed' idea! hahaha)

NEVER! *viciously throws a rusty kettle at you* XD

I love the no piano idea. I'm definetely an instrumentalist.

Originally posted by Gnomish@Mar 24 2005, 04:44 AM
NEVER! *viciously throws a rusty kettle at you* XD
I reckon we should do it just to make Gnomish try something different XD *dodges shower of kitchen utensils*

*slithers into a grand piano and shuts the lid over himself*

:P

Aw c'mon. Piano's not even your first instrument James. Try a string quartet or something.

*locks the lid closed with Gnomish still inside and throws away the key* :whistle: Now that he's out of the way, let's continue our discussion!

1) Minimum length? Must be reasonable . . around 2 minutes? I'd have to dig up the old threads . .
2) The point of having 2 - 3 themes is that one can choose whichever one is most pleasing =P so no worries people! Pick the one you can relate to the most!
3) Elaborating on the 'no piano idea', how about writing for an instrument that you've never written before, or something you're not used to or comfortable with, or writing for an instrument that's used relatively rarely?
4) Referring to the Chrimbo CMA, we should discuss the voting system for this CMA. Perhaps we should think of it as separate from the Christmas one that's going on? I don't know, at the moment I'm still in favour of the old polls.

I thought we were trying to minimize restraints? :unsure:

I'm also in favor of the old polls, but some people just aren't honest enough to give each piece a full hear-through. :(

Maybe it'd discourage this if there were a system of showing who has voted for which poll options? Like showing their name in small font surrounded by perentheses?

*plays jazz on the piano so Gnomish is battered by the hammers* :devil:

Well, polls have always worked in the past, haven&#39;t they? I mean, we don&#39;t wanna stop people voting and stuff, but maybe we could make it that we only count the votes of people who have actually posted in the CMA voting thread saying who they voted for and why... :think: Then we can tally up the posts with the votes on the poll to prevent people from voting for their own compositions, and it stops other users just randomly voting without actually listening to the pieces (which is really rude IMO <_<)

I agree, madmazda86. I think you&#39;re onto something there -- anything to get people from voting unfairly is a solution imo. :)

Assuming that the Chrimbo voting system will be a success, how about we adapt it for this CMA? =)

Well, I&#39;ve implemented it for the Christmas competition... let&#39;s see how it goes.

Anyway, I think the unusual/not used before instrument one is a good idea - I admit I am partly biased as I&#39;ve just finished a composition for the bagpipes, but I think it would encourage people to have a shot at the harder to write for instruments as well as experiment with ones they&#39;ve not written with before ^_^

Alright, so the last thing to finalize is the themes&#33; We&#39;ve come up with 3 main ideas so far . . so the composer will be allowed to pick any one of the theme suggestions as they wish, right? Or are we only picking 1 out of the 3 and then everybody *has* to compose for that? Did I get it mixed up? :unsure:

1) A spring or autumn theme (appropriate for whichever hemisphere you happen to live in&#33;)
2) An RPG theme (shamelessly stolen from Gnomish: Desert, Romance, Upbeat, Mystery, Forest, Town, Seaside, Sailing)
3) &#39;no piano idea&#39;, e.g. writing for an instrument that you&#39;ve never written for before, or something you&#39;re not used to or comfortable with, or writing for an instrument that&#39;s isn&#39;t as popular

:think:

Edit: Actually, I&#39;m starting to think we should stick to just 1) and 3) . .

Actually, I&#39;m starting to think we should stick to just 1) and 3) . .

so am I, but the only problem I see with writing for an instrument you&#39;ve never written for before is that you may not play any other instruments. and i suppose that pianists who don&#39;t play anything else may find it difficult to compose for anything else because they may not know other instruments i.e pitch range, special techniques etc...

maybe we could allow piano, but not on it&#39;s own? i.e with another instrument

Originally posted by Plod@Mar 23 2005, 05:26 PM
Aw c&#39;mon. Piano&#39;s not even your first instrument James. Try a string quartet or something.
:ph34r: You know too much already....

^_^ Whatever we choose to do, I&#39;m sure it&#39;ll turn out well.

Originally posted by Thorn@Mar 24 2005, 02:38 PM

so am I, but the only problem I see with writing for an instrument you&#39;ve never written for before is that you may not play any other instruments. and i suppose that pianists who don&#39;t play anything else may find it difficult to compose for anything else because they may not know other instruments i.e pitch range, special techniques etc...

maybe we could allow piano, but not on it&#39;s own? i.e with another instrument
I don&#39;t think we are worrying how "realistic" something is as much as how "good" it sounds; most "special techniques" can&#39;t be emulated with MIDI anyways. And even if you want to worry about instrument ranges, it shouldn&#39;t take more than a minute to look most of them up in with Google. As long as you have a functional sense of harmony, it shouldn&#39;t be too hard to write for MIDI instruments. I rather like the "no piano" idea since it&#39;d encourage those who (near-)exclusively rely on the instrument to further explore wide musical pallete that is available to them. I think it (being more of a technical constraint) should extend to all of the thematic choices. I can&#39;t think of any more ideas right now, but I think the seasons theme is a pretty nice idea.

Okay, so two themes to choose from:

1) Time of Season - In other words, whichever season it currently is in your hemisphere, so autumn or spring.

2) Alternative - Experimentation with instrumentation or styles that you&#39;ve not used before, e.g. ethnic music, atonal, instruments that rarely get solos, or just instruments that you&#39;ve never used etc.

Anything to add to those descriptions?

No it&#39;s fine . . so just to confirm once and for all, the composer gets to pick whichever one s/he wants? =)

Edit: And then we&#39;ll have someone start up the thread ^^

can these ideas be merged? i.e experimentation with styles not used before in a composition about spring/autumn?

also- can people choose between autumn/spring or do they have to do the season it is where they live?

I don&#39;t see why not XD

so when are we going to set this up?

yeah, what he said

Originally posted by Al@Mar 24 2005, 10:45 PM
No it&#39;s fine . . so just to confirm once and for all, the composer gets to pick whichever one s/he wants? =)
I still want confirmation on this . .

And as for the voting system, the Christmas one isn&#39;t going so well, and that was the basis for this CMA, so I don&#39;t know =T um . .

Edit: Okay, I have confirmation. The composer gets to pick whichever one of the two themes s/he wishes to compose for, and may even combine the two themes together.

QUOTE (Al @ Mar 24 2005, 10:45 PM)
No it&#39;s fine . . so just to confirm once and for all, the composer gets to pick whichever one s/he wants? =)


I still want confirmation on this . .

yes, that would be the better way

*bump* o.0 should I start the thread now?

Edit: Alright, I&#39;m setting it up . .