Well, I finally made an account and i decided post my compositions, which you probably already know from the title but whatever.

I know its early in the year to make a Christmas song but what the heck. Use your imagination. It'll be fun! :D

EDIT: Sorry I saved over my fist and second version of this song so this is the finished version.

Good rhthym. That's definitely your strong point. The melody was pretty weak on the violin, but the main, scalar theme on the chimes was good. Between the church bells and sleigh bells it really screamed Christmas.

Nice

What. The. Hell?

I have to agree, the beat is quite nice; along with the clasical Christmas form (instruments, writing form, exc..) Except I have 2 issues with the file.
One: It seemed to be cut short. The music was heading somewhere and then it hit a brick wall. It seemed like you could have come up with a lighter way to end it, though I'm not quite sure how....
Two: I feel that if your going to use a string-ed intrument, you should use the String Ensemble 2 (though opinionated I feel that the sound of the violin in a MIDI file is quite obnoxious, even with good soundfonts)

Yeah, I've never found a decent violin soundfont. String Orchestra/Ensemble is the way to go. I've found good cello ones, but no violins.

I was only joking, Dragon. This is definetly a fine piece of music for someone who just started composing. As a friend, I was just joking about the name. Dragons are cool. Your strong point is definetly the rythm. I also liked how all the instruments seemed to work together in harmony. I definetly agree with the other members who replied. The song does get cut short and the violin is probably the wrong instrument to be used there. I've always liked the sound of cello. You're song might sound better with cello, but just an opinion. Over all, it's still really good and keep up the good work!

Your fan and friend,
Jane Bond ^_^

Wow I have an immbarresing friend... anyways, I'll try to fix the ending if I can and get a different instrument instead of the violin.

Thanx for your replies! Fell free to rate me too.

:( I'm not embarrassing!
Yes I am. Sorry everybody

Ok I changed the song a little. The violin is now a cello, I tried the String Emsamble 2 but it seemed kinda slow... kinda hard to explain. I also extended the part where the cello has the melody. Sry Mies I couldn't find a way to fix the ending so your stuck with the original one.

Christmas Spirit

Good little fanfare at the beginning, but the melodic instrument leaves me slightly puzzled. This song has little hints of all sorts of traditional Christmas motifs in it, or so it sounds. Good job with the bells, and the counterpoint between the bells and the other instruments. Very sporadic violin part -- not sure if it fits too well. The ending was just a little unexpected and unforeseen, but that's ok. :) I think you have a unique sense of composing. Keep it up, pal!

EDIT:

UGH! Perfect time to update. :P Anyway, if the cello part doesn't sound right to you, I recommend synth strings (either 1 or 2) or just string ensemble 1. Ensemble 2 is meant for slow pieces or just backing instruments, mainly. :P

Christmas Spirit (edit)

The cello part sounds nice, but it sounds just a tad too high to be an authentic, realistically playable part. Maybe you should try the above-mentioned midi things instead.

Wow this violin/cello/strings ensamble part is killing me here. X_X Ok the cello part is now Strings Ensamble 1. I hope this will please everyone (it better) cause im not changing it anymore. I'd still like to hear your replies though. Oh and thx Gnomish for the suggestion! :D

If this is your first composition, well done; it's ten times better than my first.

Anyway, I really like the melody; it's unique and simple, just how I like it. However, I was hoping for a little more harmony between the instruments. Luckiliy, there is a lot of space for such harmonies, so experiment with different chords and listen to how they and the melody fit together. Also, please lower the cello, as no cello that i know of can play that high without sounding terrible (there's a picture with arious instrument ranges somewhere on the Music theory/Composition thread, so look there for range info).

If you follow those steps, this can easily become an even greater song.

Ureshii Gaki, no this is not my first composition, not even close. I think its my....10th, but who's counting? I already changed the cello to Srings Ensamble 1 in the third update so listen to that one. I appreciate the comments!

Here is another song, I don't think its that good because it clashes..... a lot. Its called Battle Theme--Chaotic and would be used in well... chaotic situations, so maybe a little clashing is good? (I hope) Anyways it needs a lot of help to make it better (If its possible) Thx.

Heh, the bongos and chimes make it sound sort of tropical.
There's a nice change in the middle of the piece, and I actually like the random aspects of the first and last parts, fits in nicely with the chaotic idea.

Looking at the MIDI file in FLStudios right now, you might want to try experimenting with panning a bit (you'll probably need a different program though, I'm guessing you're using a notation based sequencer?)
With the instruments going up and down all the time, you could start it out panned to the left, and quickly changeit to the right as it goes up.

In the middle part, adding a few basic chords in the strings would give it a nice orchestral feel, though that's probably not what you're looking for.

Well, I half way disagree with Gnomish. That sounds like a realistic part for the cello. The cello can go an octave above the g right above treble clef. But, if you're keeping it well into a violin's range, why write it for a cello? If you're going to use a cello, make use of it's richer tones.

Battle Song:
Once again, your rhthyms are great. It was a little sporatic. I would work on a theme that is really solid, and then add your advanced beats around it. Because you're so strong with the percussion, I think you should focus on the melody and let everything else fall into place.

Battle Theme - Chaotic

Does this song have tonality? It's not well-established until just a few intermittent parts after several instruments come in together. It feels rather segmented, which can be either a good or bad thing, but the complete difference in tone of each little part makes it rather hard to grasp and take in all on one listening. Cool little runs in the string parts, and a very rhythmic drum beat. Not sure what happened near the end, but I think this song would benefit from some more instruments added in, particularly a strong bass line or at least some form of synthesizer chording added in to support the [lacking] harmony. It's a good foundation for a battle theme! :)

Wow, I expected the comments to be a lot worse than that! I knew I didn't really have a melody, but I couldn't figure out one. Guess I should try harder next time. I might fix the song but with everything to change it might not be worth it.
Ratster I'm not sure what you mean by panning.

Thanks everyone!

Definetly sounds like a battle song. It has a very chaotic and very energetic sense. It has really cool percussion and if you do change it, maybe base it around that rythm. You can create a melody by listening to the percussion if you try. It sounds really cool and good job. ^_^

Panning... making a sound louder on the left/right speaker compared to the other.
That's the best way I can describe it, think of it as a stereo effect.

Reworking the song can be more valuable than you could guess. It's in editing and rethinking that you perfect your art. Your time will be well spent, I promise you. Your future compositions will improve dramatcially.

Both songs are fine. Rhythm-wise it's good. I think the one thing you need to work on though is linking everything together so that as Alphonse de Sabio said, everything falls into place. Also harmonies and melodies need to be worked on to create good effects. Keep up the good work!

I made this song a while ago and finally finished it today, yay for me! :D Its kind of simple and repetative but I think its good. I hope this is "waltzy" enough to be considered one.

:D Great song, Dragon. Best one posted so far! Definetly a good waltz. One thing that could be altered to make it better is that the rythm of the the strings part and the dulcimer(or the other piano part) don't really go well together) Otherwise, the song is really good! Great Job!

Here's another one! Wow two songs in one day, I'm on a roll! I really like this song, it sounds really cool, I hope you guys like it too.
I now present to you..... Rhythm! :)

Rhythm

What a peculiar name.... Ah, there's that wonderful drum beat. That explains it. :) Good chime use at the beginning. I like the energy in the various flute passages, particularly when the supporting melody comes in at the 3rd below. Drone chimes later on? Good call. I like when the string parts gradually build up momentum, and supported by a quick-moving chime part and fast drumbeat supporting them, but it seemed to taper off without much of a peak. The ending, is it supposed to be left unresolved? Is that just an error in the midi file? Sometimes they cut short... :P It's good.

You know I'm a sucker for good drums, but I liked it. :) Great flute and the chimes just and a little something that makes it good. One thing that could be changed is the really long drum roll at the end. Either get rid of it, or make it softer. All around cool song!

Gnomish, the piece was ment to repeat so I didn't really make a great ending.

Jane Bond007, I'll make the drum roll softer.

I'm glad you guys liked it! :D

And yet another song... This my first slow, pretty song! I kinda have a story to go with it.

It's called "Reflections on the Water" and it would be used in a video game. The scene would have a beautiful, crystal-clear lake that the main character is passing by. As he looks into the water he sees his reflection. He then starts thinking about his whole adventure and all the people he's met, and his thoughts would be portraied by reflections on the surface of the lake (hence the name).

Well I hoped you enjoy my little story and, oh yeah, the song too!

Very Pretty. No comments at this time except pretty.
Good Job!
:)

Reflections on the Water

Aha! More harp. :) Some of the notes seem sort of random near the beginning, but when the flute (?) part comes in, it brings some order to the rhythmically-independent harp part. Although this song could easily be strengthened by adding a few chording instruments to the background, I could easily picture this in a video-game. :) Very much the same feeling throughout, but that's good, considering your simplistic explanation of the scene in which this would be played. Interesting passages near the end. Neat little counterpassages between the flute and harp. Ack! The ending! Although it's (mostly) acceptable, I had this grand ending thought out when it was JUST approaching, and then you backed off.... :P

Ack! My computer is messing up. I'll be back in a minute to post a suggestion for ya about the ending!

Edit:

Ok, about the ending... instead of stopping the ascending sound when the recorder goes from C to D, etc. near the last few bars, how about do it like this:

Measure 49: Keep the same.
Measure 50: Keep the same.
Measure 51: Same as 50 but each note moves UP one note. (I.E. D->E, F->G, etc.)
Measure 52: Flute hits the F on a dotted quarter note and then hits an eighth note E to complete the 2nd beat of the measure. (A dotted quarter note F followed up by an eighth note E.) The 3rd beat, the flute could do two descending eighth notes, D and C. The fourth beat could be a B. The same measure, the harp could do (for the first two beats) an rolled chord of F A C, following by another half note rolled chord of D G B.
Measure 53: The flute hits a C for the whole measure (or just three beats, my preference). Meanwhile, the harp could play a high C for one beat (quarter note), two eighth notes on the 2nd beat (lowering to a G then lowering to an E), then finishing up with either a half note or quarter note C for the third (and/or fourth) beat(s).

Just a little idea! You don't have to take it. :) But I like it more this way.

I must say that your compositions are improving exponentially; excellent job!

Battle Theme ~ Chaotic

This piece has plenty of potential; the clashing of the different instruments adds to the overall chaotic tone, but I personally did not like the Instrument choice. I would highly reccomend a pulsing string section in the background to help provide greater structure or maybe changing the flute solo in the middle to a horn solo, for a flute can rarely administer the powerful, driven-forward feeling of a battle theme.
Also, I found that the chimes actually weakened the piece overall. Please change the instrument to something else.

Basically, add some more harmony in the emptier sections, and consider changing a few of the instruments.

Joyous Waltz

Oooooh... I LOVE waltzes!

So Far, from the compositions I had the pleasure of reviewing, this is my personal favorite. Though a very simplistic chord progression, which I'm usually not prone to, It actually worked well with the melody. Speaking of the melody, when the harpsichord has it, it seems a little too repetitive for my taste, so consider doing a little more with it. However, when the strings has the melody, it is a lot better.

On th melody, I can't really explain how to help the melody in words, so would it be alright if I post a MIDI of how it can be done? I would .give you full permission to use it in the final composition if you like. Let me know if that's OK.

Rhythm

This is a very nice ethnic piece. I think this might be the first time in which I find your instrumentation to be perfect. The flute passages with the bongos in the background work very effectively together. I'm assuming that this is supposed to loop, so I will not comment on the abrupt ending.

Umm... That's really all I have to say. Great Job! The Only reason why this isn't my favorite is because of the particular style; I don't like ethnic sounding songs, but you accomplished it very well.

Reflections in the Water

I really like this piece; you really captured the title in song. the harp part is very well made and compliments the flute in ways that no word can describe. Speaking of the flute, I really like it's melody. It's nice and simple.

If there is one part that I don't like in this song, it's the part near the ending starting at 1:41 and ending at 2:00. It almost seems like you rushed through this part a little. I suggest paying a little more attention to it.

As for the ending, I almost disagree with Gnomish. If you just get rid of the octave Cs at the end, the gorgeous seventh chord that the harp provides gives it a mysterious finish. Consider making That change!

__________


Overall, these four show that your talent is growing rapidly. Please continue posting your songs!

Originally posted by Ureshii Gaki@Jul 11 2005, 11:49 PM
As for the ending, I almost disagree with Gnomish. If you just get rid of the octave Cs at the end, the gorgeous seventh chord that the harp provides gives it a mysterious finish. Consider making That change!

__________


Overall, these four show that your talent is growing rapidly. Please continue posting your songs!
Perhaps my suggestion was a bit audacious, and I see what you mean. However, the harp never provides a VII (or did you mean V7) chord at the end. The second to last measure is only an E in the flute and a rolled F-A-C chord, meaning it's sort of a IVadd7 chord. Hmm. Oh, well. It's Dragon's song, and I think he's getting so much better as he makes more music. :)

Oops! Forgive me on that one, Gnomish! I meant to say that the flute AND harp work together to make a nice seventh chord, but I wasn't paying attention! :sweatdrop: Ugh, I'm getting rusty on my theory; COME BACK SCHOOL!


Hmm. Oh, well. It's Dragon's song, and I think he's getting so much better as he makes more music.

Yes; Dragon has loads of potential in the composing field, and it is definitely showing.

Thanks for the suggestions! :D

I'll try your ending for the song, Gnomish. I just have to wait until I get to my computer with the song in it.(Im at a different computer) I'm glad you posted it, I couldn't figure out a way to end it so I just gave up. By the way, what is a rolled chord? :heh: There aren't any classes to take at my school for stuff like that so I don't know anything about chords. :heh:

It perfectly fine with me if you want to post a midi of Joyous Waltz, Ureshii Gaki. It'll probably be better than if you just told me what to do, and me not understanding it. :D Thanks

The last song was very calm, and I'd have to say I too thought it'd have some grand finale. Other than that, it was very peaceful and I liked it. ^_^

A rolled chord is a rapid, restricted broken chord. Think of it like this: a 16th note C, 16th note E, 16 note G, and a 16th note C (an octave higher than the first) played from the first to the last really quickly and ending on the C. (It's like playing a normal chord on a piano, but "rolling" your hand to play the notes slightly separately.)

I've listened to Rhythm and Reflections, both of which are pretty decent pieces, though perhaps somewhat underdeveloped. The longer tube hits would sound better more sustained, but admittedly it's kind of hard to do it MIDI. Rhythm sounds kinda minimalistic with it's progressive repetition, but you never really advance it past the tutti section - it'd be nice to have some variations (even something as simple as a dynamics), or even a theme to make more out of that part, instead of reducing back to the taikos immediately. Also, you really should smooth out the velocity curves for rolls, since they sound simply horrible in MIDI without lots of adjustments. The ending sounds a bit unresolved too. Anyways, I've made a few adjustments near the end to better show you what I mean (hope you don't mind).

Reflections is pretty appropriate sounding, but there are a few parts where the harp harmony sound rather dissonant with the flute, and not in a good way. Also, you should consider adding a few echo tracks for the harp, which would bother make it sound better and re-emphasize the "Reflections" motif (btw, if you don't know what echo tracks are, they are simply a slightly delayed track of the original, with progressively (per track) lower volumes and panning (and higher reverb, if possible). Also, try to utilize the lower register of the harp more for some contrast (for example, in the 'B' sections, where 'A' sections are the ones accomped by the harp passages from the intro. Anyways, I hope I didn't confuse you with my bantering. I'll stop now ;).

Thanks, Gnomish!

I like what you did with the ending, spc1st and how the roll got louder and softer, but I like the original tempo.

I wont be at my computer with my songs for a week. :( But as soon as I get back I'll try everything out that you guys suggested.

k.

(If you don't count this stuff in parentheses, this is the shortest post ever!)

Does anyone know where the attachments went? They vanished from the posts, so I can't open them. I need help!

Ummm...... You were supposed to save all your songs so that you can edit your posts and re-attach all your songs.....

Hope you saved them! :heh:

Ok all of my songs are back on (for all you people that care). And I'm working on a new song. So expect one soon!

Sorry I haven't been posting (I've been really busy this summer). I should have a new song very soon, so check back in a little while.

I stuck to my promise! :D Here is What is Love? It's not my first song for just the piano, but it's the first one I've posted. I hope you like it.

great song. really enjoyed it. The title goes well with the music. :)

I haven't commented on you for a while! I guess I need to, huh?

What is Love?

For the first few seconds, it sounded like this was really going to embellish into something very elaborate and expressive, but I was really let down by the ostinato in the bass. You could do SO much more with the bass to make this song better. I liked that you changed your progression slightly at about halfway through, but it started to repeat again. >_<

I really hate to say this, but the melody is actually too simple. :O I thought I would never have to say that to anyone, but it doesn't go anywhere at all when it has so many opportunities to do so.

I'm sorry if this sounds a little harsh... I's under a lot of stress right now, and I don't mean to take it out on you if it seems that way. :) Either way... if you want a rating, highlight the spoiler below.

2/5 ~ Needs Improvement

I rather disliked the left hand. It was extremely unvaried, and the melody was repetitive at some points.

But I guess it would do good for a BGM. :)

Here's another battle song. :w00t: YAAAAAY... *stops cause no ones cheering along* Anyway I origanly wrote this song for piano, but I changed it so now it's two guitars and a drum set. I think its a decent song, nothing to get excited about though, and maybe a little repetative. So tell me what you think.

Battle themes I love em' Havent made one in a while though.
Anyway ya its pretty repetative, but would make a decent background song.
You could have maybe added some strings or something to improve it. :)

The drums are off-beat at 00:05, 00:10 and 00:14.

The name is very suiting and I like how the second guitar enters by the end. Also I liked the crescendo-ing near the end. :)

Oops. You were right Noir7. I accedently added and eight note before the triplet. Thats what happens when you make a mistake then copy and paste it. XD


If that drum part really bothered anyone that much here's an updated version but thats the only thing that changed

This song was really annoying. No offense, but you chose the WRONG instrument in the foreground in my opinion.

Why are you being so mean? It's a good song. :eyebrow:

Anyways, even if you didn't enjoy it, don't say it in such crudeness; I'm sure Dragon would appreciate that. I'm not saying it so we become enemies nor anything, deathraider, just saying...

XD I really like all your songs and they are very cool and interesting. heh-heh I wish I could make music instead of reading off of sheet music :P

Oh...I'm sorry if I sounded rude. I just didn't appreciate the instrumentation in that song.

Oh...O.K. ^_^

You better like this next song, because it took me forever to put into the computer. It's supposed to be swung at the beginning but sixteenth, dotted eight note and the triplet combinations for it sounded way off. I had to go into wierd time signatures like 11/16 or 9/16 while other parts were still in 4/4. Anyways I couldn't get it exact so if it sounds off a bit its not my fault. This is just in the beginning and the rest of the song is fine. It's a piano duet for three hands. I thought it sounded like a forest so I named it Endless Forest. Tell me what you think.

By the way, since I suck at theory could anyone tell me if this is in A minor? I think it is but I'm not sure.

This is probably minor or it wouldn't sound as expressive as it is, and of course, if the notes used are A, B, C, D, E, F, G, then yeah, it is. :)

Anyways, the song I thought was a good BGM-ish song. :) Very realxing (except for the dissonant intervals by the end).

WHAT IS LOVE?
I must say I liked the intro but it got kinda boring and I had trouble finding the climax of the piece. You need to improve on the left hand.

BATTLE THEME--INTENSE

This song was really annoying. No offense, but you chose the WRONG instrument in the foreground in my opinion.
I agree with deathraider. You DID chose the wrong instruments. And it hurt my ears. You gotta make a song that gives people desires to fight. Next time try to pick better instruments.

ENDLESS FOREST
This one was pretty decent. I would suggest a little bit faster pace. Besides that I'm pretty satisfied with this song. You illustrated the title very well in your own way and I admire that.

I think you can be better in a very short period of time. Keep it up and I will check on you from time to time. ^ ^

Here is a different version of a song you've already heard! What is Love Version 2! Though it doesn't sound like the name, I think its better than the first version. It's pretty much the opposite of the first, but it has some similarities.

I liked it better, except I think a little before 1:10, you rolled down a few notes and it didn't sound good. :\

This is a little piece the melody was enjoyable at times, but I thought the left hand could have had something different somewhere in the song.
:)

Another new song is finished. I call it Towards the Light. For most of the song it sounds dark and mysterious, but in the last couple measures it sounds happy! Right after the "dark" part ends there is a spot where the trumpet plays two notes while the other instruments hold out a note. The part represents the hesitation in belief that the light is really there. Just wanted to point that out!

It was very enjoyable. ^_^

I'm not too sure how good my next song, Fairy Wings, is. It's pretty basic, and for a while the melody is just quarter notes. But I think it's kind of catchy, and I like it. Also there is this one part where I use 7ths so it clashes a little but it might just suit the piece.

Thank you everyone for your comments on my songs! I always enjoy reading them. *get tearry-eyed* :cry: You guys are the greatest!

I would definitely suggest to change the trumpet and trombone(?) to something lighter since you said the song is supposed to be dark. Trumpet makes the song... how should I say this.... pumping with adrenaline... well sorta. So I would suggest something like... an oboe and a bassoon. Oh by the way... I like the way the instruments were almost like... having conversation. One says this.. and the others say that. Brilliant.

Fairy Wings was pretty good. I liked it. ^_^

Thanks yellowmonkey121! That pass-off melody thing (I can't remember what it's called) was in one of our songs, Jupiter, for marching band. I thought it sounded really cool so I decided to use it in the song. I didn't copy it though; mine is different.

The next thing I'm going to focus on is a group of songs I called The Elements! I'm going to make a song for a bunch of elements. I'm sure it's been done before but.... mine will be better! Maybe. So here is the first one in the "series", Water!

Good job. Can't wait to hear the other elements. ^_^

This is a nice decent piece, but maybe you should have used something other than trumpet for the water theme. :)

Ditto.

I'm sorry, but what's "Ditto" supposed to mean? Only the funny-looking Pokemon pops into my head. :heh:

It means that he agrees with what Klonoa said.

Wow, it's been a long time since I posted here. I'm back with a bunch of new compostions!! I just have to get them into the computer first. I have two for you now. The first one is called On the Wings of a Dream. I think that's already a song name but oh well. I really like it, but it doesn't sound as good on the midi as it does when I play it. I wish I could record it cause it sounds a lot better. Anyways i hope you like it.

Ok here's the second one. I made this a long time ago so its not my greatest. Its just a little song that I had fun with and not really a serious piece. It's called Go! because I couldn't think of a better name. Enjoy.

On The Wings of A Dream

The left hand ostinato was a little too overwhelming, it'd be nice if there were more variations. I also think you should bring out the melody more... It's too 'flat' against the accompaniment. I also suggest more middleground elements, like more ornamentations in between the melody and the accompaniment... But overall, it's not a bad piece either... But just not an exciting one.

Just have to say I like Go, it needs some melody though, mabe another instrument, woodwind perhaps?

For go he doesn't need more instruments for "Go!" he just needs to stop repeating the same melody over and over again. It had a good line going but it is just EXTREMELY boring after you repeat it 8times for each tone of a scale. I think if he leaves it the way it is and just add a melody above, the song will still be boring because the harmony is boring.

For go he doesn't need more instruments for "Go!" he just needs to stop repeating the same melody over and over again. It had a good line going but it is just EXTREMELY boring after you repeat it 8times for each tone of a scale. I think if he leaves it the way it is and just add a melody above, the song will still be boring because the harmony is boring.


just listen to some oldschool nes music...^_^

just listen to some oldschool nes music...^_^

Mario was awsome. Tetris was good too. The other ones, I remember doctor mario and those, which do have a pattern but I don't think they repeated their pattern 8 times. The old nes had 3 channels for sound, and one was usually used as drums, which leaves 2, a melody instrument and a harmony instrument. Most music that i can recall that has a pattern that repeats, I do believe only repeats diatonically three times at most before it either goes back to the beggining or instroduces a variation.

Went off topic there...

The way I see if a song or piece I wrote is too repetative or not is to listen to it three times. If after three times from beggining to end, you are still not bored of listening to the song then it is a good song. Be honest with yourself.

Those songs had some pretty cool ideas, but nothing much to draw in my attention. In the first, the left hand becomes boring since it's repeated so often. Variation would make it much better, IMO.

As for the second piece, there was something cool you were going for, but you didn't quite grasp it. There were important elements missing in that song - such as melody. But it was pretty cool, anyways.

I just think you need to organize your ideas more, and make them more interesting. Nice job, and keep it up! ^_^