Hi, I'm BlazingDragon (Call me Blaze/Blazing) and, um, this is my compositions thread.:heh:

Anyway, I'm something of a n00b when it comes to composing at the moment, but one day I hope to become a seasoned composer! I know little of form, structure, or any of the so called important elements of composing for that matter, but hey, practice makes perfect, right?^_^

Without further adue (sp?), here is my composition thread!

EDIT: Just added newest song to this post, "Memories". Please give a listen and tell me what you think.:)

Other Edit: I'm editting the song "Memories" some more, but I editted in a new song into this first post. Check it out. If you scroll down memories is on some of those posts...

PS: I realize this is my second thread, but the old one died a very long time ago and I feel I need to start fresh. I don't know if I am allowed to make a second thread, if not, I apologize.

I was just fooling around and wrote a piece that is about a minute and a half today, but be warned, it is a bit random and I just, well, it's VERY random actually. And it is unfinished.:heh:

Anyway, here's what I've got so far.^_^

(You're looking at the attachment and thinking, "What a creative title!" Am I right?:P )

Okay, I just added a Finale Notepad song titled "Memories" to my first post, I made it this morning, and I think it is pretty good so far. (A lot better than the first song I posted last night anyway. >.< )

Please give me a listen and tell me what you think. :) Also, if you can think of a better name, please tell me. I am terrible with naming songs, and "Memories was the first word that came to mind.

I like your bassline in Memories but the melody is okay. I don't like the 16th notes in bar 3, it's too random and distracting but nicely done in bar 7. Sometimes, you tend to finish a phrase (4 bars) with a pause (sometimes a half note)... it's too boring and it prevents the momentum of the piece. Bar 10 is too odd for me - completely different rhythm from the rest. The ending is great though but the last chord could be a Gm/Eb... allowing a new section. Repeating the same chord from the previous phrase (2 bars before) is too bland.

You have a good sense of variation and you have many good ideas. But try to expand a little more on them and also work on building momentum.

Keep it up!

I like your bassline in Memories but the melody is okay. I don't like the 16th notes in bar 3, it's too random and distracting but nicely done in bar 7. Sometimes, you tend to finish a phrase (4 bars) with a pause (sometimes a half note)... it's too boring and it prevents the momentum of the piece. Bar 10 is too odd for me - completely different rhythm from the rest. The ending is great though but the last chord could be a Gm/Eb... allowing a new section. Repeating the same chord from the previous phrase (2 bars before) is too bland.

You have a good sense of variation and you have many good ideas. But try to expand a little more on them and also work on building momentum.

Keep it up!Thanks, that was really helpful! I tried to edit the things you pointed out, but I'm a little confused on what you said about the very last measure. I'm a little behind on my theory...x_x

Here's the editted version though. :) Once I figure out how to do that last chord I think I'll try to extend it into a new section as well, it IS kind of short.:heh:

Good job on editing it so fast =O

This is somewhat I was talking about... although it sounds weird -- too tired to think of something. :heh:

Thanks, I really like how you made the transition chord at the end actually, and it looks like you've changed so of my rythyms around too. I'll work on it now. :D

(I also got some advice from the Young Composer forums, and I'll try to take that into account as well)

Anyway, thanks again!

Okay, here is a song I just wrote today. It isn't amazing, but I like it. It is just a short loopable piece. :)

Okay, here is a song I just wrote today. It isn't amazing, but I like it. It is just a short loopable piece. :)

WOW! I love the chord progression on this one, it makes me think of Tifa's theme in FF7. Seriously, it's great. (I love guitar ^_^)

I think you could do a better job on the drums though. It's not bad, but drums are really important to a good rhythmic section. What I would do if I was you is to start with no drums, and then make the drums do a sort of fill-in with the tums and/or the snare, thus progressively adding feeling, emotion and power to the song. Also, learn some basic 4/4 beats, and then play around with it so that your drums don't sound all so awkward.

Great song overall, though! Keep it up buddy!

Wow, thanks for the advice and comment!

Your right in that it sounds like Tifa's Theme, because the two first chords are just like the ones used in Tifa's theme. The rest is original though. It almost reminds of this one song on a MegaMan game, but maybe I'm mistaken...

Anyway, I'll try to work on drumming more. I've never learned to play a percussion instrument (Though some people consider piano percussion) and I rarely use guitar and drums in my music. I'll try to edit it though.

Thanks again for the advice. :)

Awesome! I really enjoyed it!


I rarely use guitar and drums in my music

Odd. If you didn't tell me that, I would have thought you use the gutiar more than the piano.

No I use piano more. I'm just not very good at it. XD

I've only written about five or six songs with guitar. Here, I'll upload one now. I wrote this when I was 12, about a year ago. It is a bit dissorganized in form and the drums REALLY need work, but aside from that, I'm proud of this piece. :) This is probably my most original song, I think the Chord Progression was completely original but I might be mistaken.

Please tell me what you think.

You're right, it's still the drums that are somewhat off, but I am nonetheless awed at your obvious talent for songwriting. This is awesome! :)

So, when d'you plan to write your first solo album, mister rock n' roll? :coolio:

Heh, thanks, I'm glad you like it!:lol:

The funny thing is that I am like...Rock 'n Roll illiterate. I don't own a single Rock CD that I can think of, neither do I EVER listen to it.:heh:

I'm actually big on Orchestral music and that is what I want to focus on in my writing. I get a lot of inspiration from the Final Fantasy series. (Aerith's Theme is amazing)

I know I've posted quite a few things for one day, but I wanted to post one more thing tonight. XD

It is just a short Piano piece (Unfinished) that I wrote a while back. It isn't the most amazing work I've ever done, but I do really like the sound of it. Anyway, here it is. :)

It would probably sound better if you would add more articulation to it. Right now it seems way too rough-sounding to portray its title.

'which song are you talking about, the one I have just posted? I posted a few.

But yeah, I do need to get better about that. On a lot of my midis I don't even bother with the articulation so I'll start working on that in the future.

Thanks. :)

It's pretty. That's all that I can say for it, though.

(beautiful memories)

Okay, I tried to edit the percussion a little on that first Guitar Song I posted. It could still probably use some work, but I think it is a little better. Here it is.

Thanks. :)

I think I really need to redo it though...It's way too simple in my opinion and a little repetitive. :(

Hey, I like that-a lot! Sounds like it'd be in an RPG game, as a town song of some sort. Sounds relaxin'.

Keep it goin'-I'd love to hear it finished. ^.^

I actually AM writing that for an RPG, so I must be doing something right.:P

Anyway, it doesn't end for a reason: It's loopable. I guess I could extend it though...

Thanks. :)

Nice little guitar duet. Near the end, the drums speed up too much, in my opinion, in comparison to the guitars. But great job other than that.

Keep 'em coming! ^.^

Okay, I've been working on this one for a while today. It's just a little Battle Theme, the first I've EVER done in fact, so this was kind of new to me.

I like...Never do rock so it might be a little weird. I didn't even mess with articulation yet, so uh...:heh: Also, please tell me if you think it is to Chaotic or jumbled...

Anyway, here it is. I've titled it "Battle".:P

The constant crashing of the cymbals in the beginning and other parts, as well, are used way too much. You should add some more to it, IMO. ^_^ Good job.

Alright, I'll work on that later. :)

I'm really tired and REALLY need to finish my Homework... >.<

I've decided to try composing on the piano more so that I could improve as someone once suggested to me on another forum. I'm trying to get all of my initial ideas down on the keyboard and then transfer it to the comp.

Anyway, here is a piece I started while playing the piano. I only have the first 18 seconds of intro so far, but I want to know if it is worth continuing with at this point. It is just a nice little piano piece.

Here it is. :) (I didn't know what to title it so I simply put down "Song at Piano" because, well, I've been trying to write it at the piano as apposed to comp. :P )

EDIT: I was wrong, it is :21. >.<

I see it an rpg, cool. At a moving motional moment.

This is the second or third "Sounds like RPG music" replies I've gotten to my music, XD!

Thanks, I'll try to add more to it! I'm just having trouble trying to figure out what I am going to do for the songs main melody. x_x I'm sure I can figure something out though.:)

Ooh. Nice song. Something bothers me but I can't quite tell what it is. Good job, though. Nice and structured. ^_^

Heh, It's been quite a while since I last posted!:P Anyway, here is a song I wrote around April 29th and JUST NOW got around to adding a little articulation and such. It's just a nice, long piano piece with some really cool progressions (IMO) and I tried to give it plenty of variety. (Maybe even a little too much!:heh: )

Anyway, please tell me what you think!!! Comments are VERY appreciated,^_^

like it^_^
its actually playable
nice:)

Sounds like an improvisation. I don't know what more to say :/

Thanks! It's good to know it's playable, because I was actually just wondering about that.:heh: There is this one part in there that I was unsure of...

Anyway, thanks again!:)

Improvistion, eh? Is that...A good thing?:sweat: I'll try to be more structured next time. I've really been rushing some of my stuff I guess. But what do you expect when you try to compose a two minute song in like...Half an hour.@_@

hehe you are just like me...

the big piano piece was ok... nothing more nothing less.

I actually kinda like this song. Yes, it was a little not structured at points, and it could use some work in some parts, but otherwise I think it was rather soothing. ^_^

Soothing, huh? That's not quite the effect I was going for...x_x But thanks anyway.:heh:

Well, I have a new song in the works and I need some advice. I've got it up to about the 30 seconds mark but then I am stumped and don't know how to open it into a new section.:huh: If someone will throw out some ideas, I would really appreciate it!

(BTW, I titled it morning because I woke up a lot earlier than usual today and started composing this. (I'm still half asleep though, so...:\ ))

.....
whoah. you sure you were half asleep? that was better than most of my pieces
make it longer!:bigsmile:

Thanks! Yeah, I was half asleep but it is still better than most of my other stuff. XD Maybe I'm better writing subconsciously or something.:heh:

I tried adding another section and then going to the beginning again, but I really don't know if it turned out quite as well as I think...

Anyway, please tell me what you think!:)

Morning edit- I like the chords you chose it makes it an interesting song.
Nice job.

Thank you for your comment! :)

Anyway, I've been trying to write in Finale as apposed to a sequencer to improve in my notation skills, but I am having a problem now. I use Finale Notepad 2006 and when I reach page two while composing, it stops there. Is there I was I can add more measures to finish up the song?

BTW, here's what I've got so far.

That was really good I like what you got so far keep it up.

I LOVE Morning. :) It's so nice. Makes you feel warm inside. At home. ^_^

Wow, thank you both for your comments! ^_^

Yeah, I think Morning is probably my second favorite composition.:) (Of mine, that is. A lot of the stuff on these forums are a lot better than my stuff)

Anyway, if anybody on here has Finale or anything, could you please take the midi of Morning and turn it into a piano MP3? I would REALLY appreciate it!

Here you go mate.

Edit: Ending messed up <.<

Wow! Thank you so much, it sounds a lot better than the midi. :D Thanks again!

Sounds..

Fantastic !

"Morning" is beautiful, I just wish it was longer!

Thank you both very much!^_^

I'd love to extend "Morning" but I can't think of how to open it up to a new section at this point. Who knows though, I might do it eventually.

I know!

(Well kinda)

Go into another key and vary around with your themes.

It worked for me with my Rhapsody! LoL!

I was like, hmm I dunno what to do now. So I made some new themes, but rehipiculated the first (instead of E Major) right into C Major, which sounded PWN.

EDIT : I could post that song again so you can see what I mean...

Yes, if you don't mind I'd like to give it a listen. I learn fairly well through example, so...:P

Enjoy.

Although I can't edit it on what I wanted. I deleted the score of it entirely! ME SO MUD! Anyway, I have what would be the more "perfet" of it.

Here.. Enjoy the sloopy and cheesy Romantic Rhapsody of mine. Mainly it has the only one point in it where I am talking about. You'll know it when you hear it probably-but I hope you like the song period.

I've had I been said by people that it's movieish or animeish. dfjhbskdhbfsdf THIS IS UR COMPOSITION THEAD.

Ah, I see what you are saying. :) Kind of toward the last half around 2:19 I think it was.

I would even consider adding an orchestra to my piece and expanding upon the theme but my orchestration skills are, um...Yeah.:heh:

Ps. Nice piece. I enjoyed the composition but the piano you used in there (Was it a soundfont?) was not very good in quality. Other than that though it was a nice piece. (It DOES remind of something movie/animeish lol)

LOL!

Yea, I found a much better soundfont, and I know how to add a nice reverb to the piece so it sounds better.

Anyway, back to ur compositions! MAKE A SONG FOR SCALES

OMG CHERNY ETUDES (HOW BORING) :topic:

I've hardly ever played a Etude before, nonetheless compose one...But sure, I think I might give it a shot. Lol

Some really good Etudes are by Liszt and Chopin.

They WILL inspire you. Some good ones:

"Mazeppa" - Liszt (Thorn Played it, check it out in Post Recording of urself)

Etude No. 4 Op. 10 - Chopin (You can't play it, 'less ur Chuck Norris.)

Etude No. 12 Op. 10 "Revolutionarey" - Chopin (Bet u heard of it)

"Wilde Jagd" - Liszt (Perfect.)

Etude No. 3 Op. 25 - Chopin

Etude No. 11, Op. 25 - Chopin (Another Chuck Norris ONLY.)

I really wish I had one of those incredible sound libraries out there like Giga Studio. I can't stand writing in a crappy demo of a crappy sequencer that doesn't even let me save my work. x_x *sigh*

Okay, now that I've got that out of me, I can get back to my compositions. :P Anyway, I was messing around trying to make a choir-type-song (Broaden my horizen, you know?) and this is what I have come up with so far. Not done...Not even close to done. Just an idea I'm wondering if I should expand upon since I've never done anything like this. :)

PS. Ignore the piano, it will inevitably be taken out. >.>

It does have some potential. Why would you use a pad to accompany the voice though? Is it okay if I re-create it some to show my interpretation of it? Well, I will anyway so :bleh: there.

I like this one... a lot. I think it's incredibly peaceful. Just please change the part where the piano has no left hand, and finish it! ^_^

Thank you both. :)

Accompany? The pad WAS the voice. Lol There was a bass and an alto and a soprano (No tenor) but I think I like it better with just the soprano (sp?) as the voice and the lower ones as strings as you did in your interpretation.

Alright, I'll try to finish it up! (Somehow...:P) I only worked on it for about five minutes last night anyway.:heh:

EDIT: Oh, I'm considering throwing that piano section out as a whole. It really differs from the rest of the song. I really don't know...any advice?

EDIT 2: Woah...I just realized you really sped the song up on the one you posted. :P

EDIT 3: Yeah...I know I use way to many smileys in my posts. x_x

Well, I started attempting to finish that choir piece but became side-tracked with a new song. XD I think it is one of my better songs though, I like how it turned out. I wrote it in Finale Notepad which I usually don't, but I am trying to get better at writing with notation as apposed to a sequencer.

I called it A Bittersweet Memory though I think it doesn't suit it very well. :P Oh, and for some reason Finale NotePad 06 stopped at measure 31 for me, so am one measure from finishing the piece!!! x_x

Anyway, please tell me what you think. And if someone would like to turn it into an mp3 real fast so that some other people I know can listen...:shifty: ...:P

Here you go!:)

I don't know how people can't find out how to add measures.

When I ran out:

Click on 'measure tool'
On the tool bar, click Measure (Tool)
Add

WHEW

it sounds really nice!
i thought that adding the octaves in the left hand didn't sound right though

I don't know how people can't find out how to add measures.

When I ran out:

Click on 'measure tool'
On the tool bar, click Measure (Tool)
Add

WHEW

Because I think he has the demo version, which doesn't allow it.

Sounds good though. Calming. There are some issues with the melody that I don't like, but I'll tell you later, gotta go to school! =P Overall, nice work, keep it up! =)

Hahaha, I just figured it out! I simply had to double click the measure icon. :P I hardly use NotePad and this had been bugging me. I feel like such a newb now. Lol

Thank you all for the comments and thank you DeathRaider for the mp3! :) I wanted to share it with someone I know on another forum but they don't have Finale Notepad, so this helps.

And if you'd point out what you were talking about in the melody I'll see if I can fix it Sepharite. And I'll see what I can do about those octaves EvaFreek.

Because I think he has the demo version, which doesn't allow it.

Sounds good though. Calming. There are some issues with the melody that I don't like, but I'll tell you later, gotta go to school! =P Overall, nice work, keep it up! =)

I have Finale NotePad 2006 as well.

A Bittersweet Memory sounded great! It made me think of an ending song to a serious movie.

Thank you for the comments everyone. :)

I'll try to work on some more stuff, hopefully some more Major key work. (I've been doing a lot of Minor lately...:P)

Sorry for not posting anything in so long but I just didn't get any decent compositions started in the last month that I can remember. :heh: Anyways, I will be out of town visiting family for the next few weeks and will most likely not be frequenting the forums durring that time.

In fact I'm leaving this morning. XD I started a quick idea in Notepad though and I'd like to know what you think so far. (Mainly since I haven't posted anything in so long...)

don't change anything, just keep going! its great!

OMG! That's kick-ass! I totally agree with evafreek576! :lol:

That's actually really good! The only things I would suggest are to change the time signature to 12/16 (I say this because it doesn't have the pulse of 3/4), maybe lose the pedal in some places so your chords don't stick together, and, obviously, finish the piece.

Great work!

Oh Dear, that's a wonderful composition... E: I'm not much for theory or anything but that's definately something good. XD I actually replayed it a couple of times. Keep up the good woooork~ E:

I would suggest are to change the time signature to 12/16 (I say this because it doesn't have the pulse of 3/4)

Maybe even 4/4, but with triplets. I didn't get anything for counting a 3/4 time sig. with 16ths. Weird.

Good job anyway, hope to see you in a few weeks. Pz.

Maybe even 4/4, but with triplets. I didn't get anything for counting a 3/4 time sig. with 16ths. Weird.
That would just mess up the score entirely. O_O It has to be 12/16, because it cleans up the score and matches up to the implied pulse.

Mmmm, that's pretty good, but yes, please do clean up the pedal. And yes, 12/16, although a strange time signature, would match the intended emphasized beats.

Hello guys! :) I'm still on vacation but I decided to check p and was surprised at all these comments. Thanks!

Notepad doesn't seem to do 12/16 though. O_o

I'll keep working on it.

It's the same as 6/8. That should be a standard in notepad.

Thanks, I'll do that!...Eventually...x_x

Anyway, I am completely stuck. After what I posted last I just ran out of solid ideas for it. Here's what I have so far though...I may end up just rewriting it entirely though.-_-

That's so pretty! ^-^ I don't know what to say! You're stuck?! well..hmm.. sometimes if I get stuck I try to change key's or put the melody in the left hand..you can try that!..Idk what else to say! sorry! >.<

Actually, that's very good! Don't strain the ideas from your head, though. Just let 'em flow. :woohoo:

Don't rewrite it. You have to keep going. I do have a suggestion, perhaps the music could appegio up to a VI, do something melodical there, then repeat first theme in a higher octave.

Sorry about the long absence, I've been out of town and all of the music I have composed has pretty much been "Junk music" that I've thrown into archives. I did start a new song this morning though and I like how it's coming. It starts off with a piano coming in and then some percussion comes in to back it up. And it's only about 35 seconds right now.:heh: But I eventually plan on adding more instrumentation and I am going to continue working on it.

This is a new type of music to me though, so it's mostly experimenting. :) Please comment.

Welcome back. ;) Heh, why am I the only one who seem to never keep an archive of my own old compositions? :heh: But anyways, for the piece, it didn't really interest me that much, the first reason being the chord and melody sounding a little too typical, but I guess it's your test and trial era, so I don't think originality would really count now. ;) Secondly, when the percussion came in, in didn't really want to 'move on' it stayed the same (I had the same problem when I started learning how to use percussion, so it's all about experience here). For your next instrument, I would suggest you to either a solo violin or solo guitar kind of stuff, why? Because violin has the 'standing out' quality to make a fresh impression in these kind of pieces, and guitar is usually fitting for these type of music, so yeah, my little interpretation. But it's up to you what you can do with it, I gave my comment, I am done. ;) Good luck. :)

Thanks for pointing those out, I appreciate it. :) I was thinking the same thing about the percussion, as I have always had difficulty in that area. I did go in and change it around a bit rather than looping it and I think it made a noticable difference. As for the chord progression, I'll try to throw in some twists as it progresses, don't worry.:heh:

Hmm... I liked the percussion a lot, although remember to keep it fresh as you keep adding stuff to the piece. Also, I agree with Sir; using a violin or guitar would be a good choice. Keep working on it. ;) So far so good, IMO.

I finally saved up the money to get Finale 2007 and I only had to pay $300!!!:lol:

Anyway, I just started fooling around with it and this is my feeble attempt at a very short orchestra idea. (Part of the orchestra anyway) I've never written anything for the orchestra and this was put together hurriedly...So don't be TOO harsh with me. XD

Well...Here I go.:heh:

Please tell me what you think of this song/idea!!! I'm not finished but I'm a good deal into it, as it is about a minute and a half long so far. I've never really been one to write for any of the orchestra so I'd like to know how this is turning out. (I'm trying to broaden my musical horizen. :) )

Thanks in advance!

Can you save your scores for earlier versions? Notepad 2006 can't open 2007 stuff.

^You can download Finale Printmusic 2007 to open it :). http://www.finalemusic.com/printmusic<------ Not recommended for Dial-Up users...

Oh, the last one: It's not much yet, but why is there a French Horn soundfont at the Harp(sichord) staff? :huh:

Stupid Finale 2007! *jealous*
Oh well. How come $300? I found it for $99.95 for an upgrade. I thought you had 2006?

Stupid Finale 2007! *jealous*
Oh well. How come $300? I found it for $99.95 for an upgrade. I thought you had 2006?

The $99 thing is the upgrade from 2006. The $300 one is the academic full version.

Yes, I bought it at academic pricing. :P There's this awesome web site where students of any age can buy discounted software. Normally you have to be a college student when ordering directly through MakeMusic but this site allows you to buy it even as a k-12 student.

@ Claranetist: Oops, I forgot about that...It was originally a harp but I decided to change it to a French Horn in the end. I just forgot to change the name of the staff, lol.

BTW, the site is called www.campusestore.com :)

EDIT: @ DeathRaider: I never had 2007. I always used Notepad before this.

Can you save your scores for earlier versions? Notepad 2006 can't open 2007 stuff.Is there a way for me to do that with 2007?:huh:

Is there a way for me to do that with 2007?:huh:

Yes, there should be options to save for older versions.

I've been looking but I can't figure out how...I'll try to find out...

Yes, there should be options to save for older versions.
MUSICXML.... but unfortunately, you can't attach it here.... :heh: There isn't another way...

Oh, and as I said before:


^You can download Finale Printmusic 2007 to open it . http://www.finalemusic.com/printmusic<------ Not recommended for Dial-Up users...


It's free for 30 days.

Holy cow, I haven't posted in a long time!!! :heh: Sorry about that, but I'm back and I have a short piece that I just wrote last night. I'm really not sure about the strings though, so please tell whether or not I should remove of them. Thanks a ton!

PS. I can make it loopable by removing the last two measures. (I'm writing this for a game in the making)

Here is an mp3 of it the song I just posted. It is only a soundfont, but I think it sounds fairly good.

Wow @_@ . You can compose WAY better than I can.

It would be great for a game :) .

Thank you so much, I am really flattered.:heh: Seriously though, I think you are way better at composing than I am! I just downloaded your latest posted piece and am really impressed! (But I'll post about it in your thread, not here)

I can write okay for piano, but I am absolutely terrible when it comes to the orchestra. I tried writing a piece for a small orchestra once and gave up after about 10 measures. @_@

Here's a suggestion (see .MUS file).

Give the strings some of the melody.

I like that idea a lot, I think I'll rework the strings tommorow and try to get another mp3 up. Thanks for the suggestion, it seems to add a little more personality to the song. :)

I've never orchestrated before, so I could use some help here? I've only got 4 measures, but could someone at least tell me if I'm, doing this even semi-properly? Thanks. :heh:

Okay. You see, orchestration is really like mixing paints. You try to avoid mixing the 'colours' (the instruments) into grey, brown or anything that's ugly (like all octaves). You see, orchestral music is different from piano music, you can have two parts for piano, but for orchestra, you'd have more than that. Okay, enough of my analogy.

~~~

For the first bar, you know where your violins have a sixteenth rest after the sixteenth note? Avoid that. Make the sixteenth note an eighth note with a staccato, it's clearer this way. Secondly, your bass parts (viola, cello and bass) is doubled in 3 octaves. Don't do that, it's going to make your piece sound 'grey', which means it will sound lacking. What you can do is to add an extra part for the viola (a countermelody). Also, like vocal music, when the top parts move upward or downward, it's better if they move in contrary motion, as it will sound steadier.

Again, with the sixteenth notes in the second bar should be changed to eighth staccato. Secondly, the parts were too 'close' together. Notice how you made the flute, oboe and the clarinets in the same range? Don't do that. By doing that, you're basically 'mashing' the colours/instruments together and it will sound messy (especially with woodwinds, as each instrument sounds different). To resolve this problem, spread the chord out. Thirdly, orchestras are different from bands. They have only 1 clarinet section with 2-3 clarinets (the third usually being bass clarinet or E flat).

Your fourth bar was also messy. Notice how you doubled flute against violin in unison? By doing this, you're taking the brilliance of violin away and making the flute very shrill even if it's at its comfortable register. You also doubled the trumpet an octave lower. Which makes the sound even more confusing. Flute against trumpet and violins against trumpet is usually fine, but since you did violin against flute at unison on top, now it's going to have a really strange shrill brass sound. Again, you put the instruments all together too close, now the sound is meshed poorly. Your bass parts in bar 4 was also strangely distributed. The cello and double bass were 2 octaves apart (yes, the bass is a transposing instrument that sounds an octave lower), so therefore it's going to sound a little sparse. In my opinion, octave doubling in the cello and bass are the best.

I also see that you used 'mf' for all the instruments. By doing that, now no one will know who's playing the main melody part. Again, composing for orchestra isn't like piano. You need to show which parts are important and which parts are less.

I hope this helps, if you have any more questions, ask away. ;)

Wow, you sure are knowledgable! That inspires me to study up on these things. Do you know of any good books (That I could somewhat comprehend) on the study of orchestration?

I'll try to rework this taking everything you said into mind. Thank you so much for your thorough response, you really have taught me a lot! (Especially concerning the flute and violin...I wouldn't have ever guessed) :)

A great book that you can look into would be The Study of Orchestration by Samuel Adler. It has lots of valuable information and teaches you about how to put instruments together. ^.^

Well, I was planning on editing some of my previous work, but my little brother came in the room, accidently pressed a button on the keyboard, and somehow managed to delete an hour of work that I had just started in a demo of FL Studio. :cry: I got angry, punched him, and then later felt really sorry about doing so. (It was, after all, an accident) In the midst of my regret, I decided to start on a knew song.

I call it, The Sorrowful Medley, and it is for piano. I wrote it in the demo of Fl Studio and have spent the last few hours starting and finishing it. I think I like how it turned out, but the last third of the song is by far the best, IMO. Tell me what you think. :)

(Sorry, I only have an MP3, though I guess I could get a midi of need be. No sheet music. :( )

It's sort of like "background" music... for some sort of scene (during a movie, game, etc...). I felt like adding a solo instrument to this for some reason :think: . If you can give me a MIDI file, I can put it in sheet music ;) .

(I don't get it, but I am better at orchestrating than solo piano for some reason...).

Thanks for the offer, but I don't think I'll ever learn to play this, nor anyone else. :P Actually, I don't think importing it to finale would work correctly. In the program I was using, I don't think there is a way to use the pedal on the piano so I had to drag the note values extra long, so in finale, it would appear as a whole bunch of ties and wierd rythyms.

I guess it is kind of like background music though. I guess I write a lot of that. :heh: Once I get some good sound library (Like the real garritan or edirol orchestra) I think I'll try to do a little more orchestral work. In the mean time I'll have to study up on orchestration.

Sorry I haven't composed for so long, here is some ideas I came up with. I probably shouldn't post them all at once...Oh well. :)

If you can't view the previous files (They are Finale 2007), here are the midis.

They all are suitable for game music :) . The only thing is, in "Town", Viola is a bit too high, and how about substituting Cello pizzicato for Contrabass?

Thanks, I'll make those changes! :) I need to break away from making "game music", because that's all people ever tell me. Maybe I just need to be more original or some such.

Thanks, I'll make those changes! :) I need to break away from making "game music", because that's all people ever tell me. Maybe I just need to be more original or some such.

Just study some classical. It's what I did to get out of "game music". ;)

I like the second piano one. You should add on to that.

I don't know how I should continue this. I always get lost after about 16 measures through. @_@ I haven't added dynamics yet, BTW. Please help. :(

My suggestions on how to follow from there:

A major, E minor, A minor or C major. I'd try to pulse it up a bit, or introduce a better melody (espeically if you decide to continue with the minor chords).

What Noir said. Also, when ripping the MIDI, I noticed you put it in C Major, but it sounds like it should be in E Major (if you want to get rid of all of the accidentals).

What Noir said. Also, when ripping the MIDI, I noticed you put it in C Major, but it sounds like it should be in E Major (if you want to get rid of all of the accidentals).I ripped the midi (and sequnced it) using FL Studio, in which you don't use any notation. It automatically is exported in C Major I believe.

Good start, but it's very predictable and has almost no originality. x_x Sorries.

Good start, but it's very predictable and has almost no originality. x_x Sorries.No problem, I understand. I don't really think it is the best either. *Sigh*

Oh well, another one down the drain. x_x

I have a case of "composer's block", so I'll finish this later. Is it boring? I tried to add a little rythmic variety.

I really like it. It may be a lil cliche, but it's definately VERY lyrical. ^_^

It sort of reminded my of "I'm Just a Baby" by Tenacious D (The Movie).

it sounds like the music they sing at my church...if that's what your going for, then you've got it

Mmm, I like. I wish the pedal would hold for longer in some cases though, but that's hard to fix in finale.

Meas. 12; it wouldn't hurt to put an F with that G.

I think it sounds very nice. In my opinion, the pedal sounds fine, by the way.

I have to say, I didn't expect comments so soon! ^_^ It's not done, but I added a lot. I also tried what you suggest, Clarinetist. I'm not sure about the fermata I added or the rythym in the bass at measure 27 though. Please give input!

Soudns really off to me. The accents are in such odd places; makes it sound random and jumpy. x_x

I know the accents would be my downfall. :P I wanted to experiment with placing them on the off/unexpected beats. It wasn't completely random though. I tried placing the accents on the second eighth note on the arpeggios, but some of it was random I will admit. Maybe I'll move the accents to the downbeats and such in the final version. >.> I was having fun with it though.

This was peaceful and made me feel... a feeling I don't really know... It's like I'm both happy and sad and it aches in my chest, but still doesn't feel a thing... Er... It's too hard to describe... It was a very long time since i last time felt like that... and it only appears when listening to music...^_^

I can't critizise, since the odd feeling I'm not able to describe is too overhelming. x_x

This was peaceful and made me feel... a feeling I don't really know... It's like I'm both happy and sad and it aches in my chest, but still doesn't feel a thing... Er... It's too hard to describe... It was a very long time since i last time felt like that... and it only appears when listening to music...^_^

I can't critizise, since the odd feeling I'm not able to describe is too overhelming. x_xI didn't think my music would be able to cause chest pain...I didn't think it was THAT bad. :P (Just kidding) Thanks, though, it is good to know I have evoked emotion. :)

I'll try to finish or extend this when I get home from school and track.

Got a bit of "composer's block" and decided to take a break and start something new. Unifinished, but I like the idea so far. I know it is all the same chords repeating, but this is more of an opening so far. I plan to go into something more interesting right after where I've stopped.

Write div. in the Viola part. You could say I'm confused where it's supposed to go (I think it's the chords, or maybe it's my bad speakers XD).

Here's a new one! It's a 1 minute loop, something like out of an old videogame.

(BTW, tonight is my graduation! Not that big of a deal though...It's only Middle school. :P)

may 21, 07

I like the panpipe's melody. The slow strings in the background are a nice addition, too. The piano part is interesting, too. Good chord progression, too, with the instrumentation being pleasing enough to avoid the piece from sounding predictable or contrived. The little melodic flourish at the end in the guitar part is pretty cool, too. This is worthy of any RPG -- it loops very nicely!

may 21, 07

I like the panpipe's melody. The slow strings in the background are a nice addition, too. The piano part is interesting, too. Good chord progression, too, with the instrumentation being pleasing enough to avoid the piece from sounding predictable or contrived. The little melodic flourish at the end in the guitar part is pretty cool, too. This is worthy of any RPG -- it loops very nicely!Thanks, I appreciate the thought out comment! I'm glad to see that people actually pay attention to the details, rather than just, "Oh, this is nice." :P

I was a little worried it would get repetitive, with it only being three chords, but I'm glad to see it worked out. Thanks again!

I really like the chords you used in Randomness from 0:40 through 0:48. As well as the flute in May 21, 07 (?) Reminded me of something from an old RPG, or background music from an Anime. Also, congrats on graduating - from middle school.

This loop has a nice melody, definitely music that could be used in a RPG.

My only concern was the use of the strings. When the song is looped the strings end louder, than in the beginning, and on a different pitch. It just seems kind of awkward if looped, bu I'm sure you'll fix that. Anyways, great job! Oh, and congrats on grad...

Here is a simple, cool piano riff with some added drums. Unfinished, but it's pretty fun to play around with on the piano, IMO. Please tell me what you think.

No views? Wow, that's almost impressive! :P (On the previous song, that is) Here is a rather cool, jazzy arrangement of the windmill theme on Zelda 64. It's unfinished, but I'm really likeing it so far.

Give it a listen and tell me what you think; it's my first time doing anything Jazz-like. ^.^

(The midi sounds horrible; please listen to the mp3!)

:think: Seems pretty simple to me; need more of the song for better comments!

:think: Seems pretty simple to me; need more of the song for better comments! I can try, but...I'm stuck. :P I've never made a song over two minutes or so. I usually get stuck at about 45 seconds to a minute and get bored with it. x_x I need to break that habbit!

You said you need more, so here you go! I've finished a song for once, and I'm really liking the way it came out! It is over two-minutes for once, too. :P Please give it a listen and tell me what you think, be it good or bad.

You have the Saxophone playing for almost all of the time when the Piano is playing, so nothing really sounds 'fresh' (it's the harmonies that the Saxophone is playing (it's playing almost all the time), so it sounds very boring, even though you're trying to create something with the Saxophone part) . But it's only Piano + Saxophone + Bass. (3 seconds higher than 2 minutes! :O ). But nice job for your first 'completed' piece.

Oh man! I love Zelda, and also, I LOOVE JAZZ as well.

Though, this is more of the 'im trying to make it jazzy' type of playing. Don't worry, most people who aren't 'into' jazz and literally swing awround while comping (like I do sometimes, lol.. but).. yeah, you'll find the find with jazz when you start playing it and experimenting a lot more than you've written here.

I like it, it's a fun variation to listen to. Definately one for my mp3. :)

@Clarinetist: I used an Alto and a Tenor Sax, which was the 'harmony'. I was hoping since I only used the Alto in two places that it would sound less boring, but I guess not. It sounds to similar to the tenor in register and tone, I guess. (Or maybe not?x_x) Thanks for the advice and crit. though!

@Mazeppa: Yeah, I've never played Jazz or even done comping, but I'll be doing Jazz Band next year in school. Hopefully, that along with listening to some Jazz over the summer and experimenting will help me out for next time. Thanks a ton for the comment! :)

Aye, kid!

Keith Jarrett is the person who REALLY influenced me to start getting into jazz. Check out some of his CDs, and start out with his completely improvised piano solo concert: 'The Koln Concert'. He has some other good albums like 'At The Deer Head Inn' and 'As Long As Your Living Yours: The Music of Keith Jarrett.'

Hope you enjoy him, as I really do. BTW: Search him on Youtube, but don't watch him, he may creep you out a bit because he has such a 'distracting' way of expressing his music.... maybe you'll see. Lol

Good luck with other artists too-- Duke Ellington played with my piano teacher! (And my teacher also played in Copland's orchestra, but whatever..)--yeah look into Ellington, he's a goodie too. ^_^

IF you need any jazz help, just ask. I'd love to. ^.^

we did jazz band this year it was great, we did Big Island, Crunch time, and Chattanooga Choo-Choo. Anyway Alto sax is in Eb while tenor is in Bb( i should know i play it) tenor sax in concert band usually play a bassline, but in jazz band they take the stage, you shouldn't have paired it with alto sax, if you added a trumpet(Bb) and a Trombone it would make the piece more interesting, now you may think that those to instruments are screaming loud and can't do much for a sultry song, but i'm sure you could make it work.

Btw, if you do get around to adding the aforementioned instruments when the trumpet starts to play let sax and trumpet play a duet, remember a duet is mutual, not parasitic. as for trombone let it add a scream somewhere where it gets boring, and let it play a little riff, then it can get back to the bassline

Wow, that's a lot of useful info! I don't plan to continue on this piece anymore, but I will take all of that into account for the future. I've learned something from all of that. Thanks!

Wow, that's a lot of useful info! I don't plan to continue on this piece anymore, but I will take all of that into account for the future. I've learned something from all of that. Thanks!

I'm happy I could help:)

Ditto.

Post something new, boy! Want to hear a finished original from you again BD!

It's been a while, but I finally have an original work finished! (It's not Jazz :P) It's a 2.5 minute piano piece, and I'm really satisfied. Give it a listen!

PS. Finale won't let me turn it into an mp3 using Garitan, but only a wav file. Can someone turn this song into an mp3 for me, please? Thanks!

PPS. I'm not sure about the intro or the spot in the middle with the fermata. Please tell me if they are out of place.

Simple, but not 'boring'. The fermata is somewhat out of place, in my opinion.

Indeed, it's simple, too simple for my taste, really. To spice it up, you could've added more chords since your accompaniment was more or less always arppegios (which gets boring after a while). Your melody could also use a contrasting section or two... The same feel throughout felt too lacking after a while.

Ah, I enjoyed the simplicity of it. It's very relaxed, and pleasant to listen to. The only part that bothered me was the first six or so measures of the right hand part - this was rather annoying. Otherwise, I liked it. As for adding a contrasting section, I think it could go either way - if it's too contrasting, it could ruin the serene mood that you already established.

Very nice work, and I hope you keep it coming. :P

Thanks for the comments! ^_^

@SirDotdotdot: I feel like I've got some of the bare basics of composing, but as you've pointed out, a lot of my music is too simple. I want to learn how to embellish it more and give it some flare. How could I improve in that aspect? Are there any good books to look into or composers to study?

@SilverHawk: Yeah, I feel the same way about the first few measures, though I'm not quite sure how I'll fix that. :P Just like you pointed out, I'm afraid a contrasting section would damage the atmosphere of the song. This is suppsed to be fairly relaxed.

@SirDotdotdot: I feel like I've got some of the bare basics of composing, but as you've pointed out, a lot of my music is too simple. I want to learn how to embellish it more and give it some flare. How could I improve in that aspect? Are there any good books to look into or composers to study?



Well, books are never sufficient enough to study on embellishments. If you have a favourite composer or two or even just a favourite piece, then you should look into the scores and try to learn what techniques made it your favourite piece. I mean, simplicity isn't a bad thing, but it only works for certain pieces. However, in my opinion, the best way to improve is to keep composing.

It is indeed easy to listen to, the progression of it is simple yet effective. The weak part that I think sunk this piece drastically is the melody -- It matches the chords, but doesn't stand out in any way. This is one of the few piano solos around here which actually provides decent left hand accompaniment, good work!

(By the way, I just downloaded the newest Finale just to listen to this song ;))

It is indeed easy to listen to, the progression of it is simple yet effective. The weak part that I think sunk this piece drastically is the melody -- It matches the chords, but doesn't stand out in any way. This is one of the few piano solos around here which actually provides decent left hand accompaniment, good work!

(By the way, I just downloaded the newest Finale just to listen to this song ;))Thank you! I was focusing a lot on the left hand, which probably is what made me neglect the melody. I'm glad that you noticed.

Are you talking about Finale 2008? I would love to get it if I had the money. @_@

I'm trying to revive some of my unfinished projects, and here's what I've got so far. Please comment/criticize!

I'm somewhat busy right now, so I"ll keep my comments short~

First piece:

The progression is too dull, it didn't move well. You should try to incorporate a better progression for your piece since it somewhat ruined the atmosphere of it.

Second Piece:

The orchestration was weak. Voicing of chords and distribution of foreground, middleground and background elements need to be worked on majorly.

I'm somewhat busy right now, so I"ll keep my comments short~

First piece:

The progression is too dull, it didn't move well. You should try to incorporate a better progression for your piece since it somewhat ruined the atmosphere of it.

Second Piece:

The orchestration was weak. Voicing of chords and distribution of foreground, middleground and background elements need to be worked on majorly.I know next to nothing about orchestration, so I can't claim that I know what I'm doing here. I'll just move on and not worry about these pieces...

I thought the first one sounded great. The second one could've been better, and I hate it when every instrument is in concert pitch!! But other than that, it was good. And the 2nd pieces score looked kinda messy.

I didn't write the second one in Finale, so when I imported the midi, it was kind of sloppy. Thanks for the comments. :)

My latest and greatest, but I would like some second opinions. :)

PS. Is it acceptable to have the flute play that low?

Again, orchestration is the greatest issue here. Having flute playing low isn't a problem, however, the way you managed it, it is. When flutes play low, their highest possible volume is mp. And yet, what you did in the opening was having strings playing a thick harmonic texture (by the way, where are you first and second violins?), hence it's overshadowed. Then, you placed various woodwinds at awkward positions, where it isn't effective. For example, you asked for the oboe to play piano in its lowest register, which is very challenging and sometimes not possible. You also asked for E flat clarinet. A B flat clarinet is sufficient, no need to ask for a piccolo clarinet. You also literally abused the harp. Harps aren't meant for accidentals. Study up on how a harp works before you even attempt to write for it. Having an A a bar before and then an A flat the next is impossible. Your strings' parts are boring too. Give them something interesting other than silly whole notes accompaniments (i.e. arppegios etc...). You could also use more work on counterpoint since it's mainly melody and harmony throughout the piece. The last triple stop you asked for the violin is also quite challenging.

I guess if you want to write for orchestral ensembles or something as such, you need to learn about it on your own. Merely writing for it is not sufficient enough as a composer.

Again, orchestration is the greatest issue here. Having flute playing low isn't a problem, however, the way you managed it, it is. When flutes play low, their highest possible volume is mp. And yet, what you did in the opening was having strings playing a thick harmonic texture (by the way, where are you first and second violins?), hence it's overshadowed. Then, you placed various woodwinds at awkward positions, where it isn't effective. For example, you asked for the oboe to play piano in its lowest register, which is very challenging and sometimes not possible. You also asked for E flat clarinet. A B flat clarinet is sufficient, no need to ask for a piccolo clarinet. You also literally abused the harp. Harps aren't meant for accidentals. Study up on how a harp works before you even attempt to write for it. Having an A a bar before and then an A flat the next is impossible. Your strings' parts are boring too. Give them something interesting other than silly whole notes accompaniments (i.e. arppegios etc...). You could also use more work on counterpoint since it's mainly melody and harmony throughout the piece. The last triple stop you asked for the violin is also quite challenging.

I guess if you want to write for orchestral ensembles or something as such, you need to learn about it on your own. Merely writing for it is not sufficient enough as a composer.Ha, I can hardly write for one violin. Two would be nearly impossible. :P Actually, I am trying to write for very few instruments at this point, as I wouldn't know what do with any more. (I'm pathetic with strings as it is)

I am trying to learn more about orchestration, but I don't have any money to buy texts. All I have is experimenting. I really don't know much about counterpoint, either.

BTW, what is a triple stop?

Well, you don't need to buy texts to learn orchestration. Your can start learning orchestration by learning how each instruments work. I'm sure there are free tutorials online about string instruments, woodwind instruments and brass instruments. Look through fingering charts of how woodwinds and brass instruments work. Learn about the overtone series on brass. Go to Wikipedia and learn about various techniques that could and could not be executed on each instruments. Basically, learn about each instrument and each family of instruments individually, then you can start learning about how they work together. Orchestration is just a lot, but not hard, really. Just be patient and do some research.

And you can find out yourself about triple stops.

Well, you don't need to buy texts to learn orchestration. Your can start learning orchestration by learning how each instruments work. I'm sure there are free tutorials online about string instruments, woodwind instruments and brass instruments. Look through fingering charts of how woodwinds and brass instruments work. Learn about the overtone series on brass. Go to Wikipedia and learn about various techniques that could and could not be executed on each instruments. Basically, learn about each instrument and each family of instruments individually, then you can start learning about how they work together. Orchestration is just a lot, but not hard, really. Just be patient and do some research.

And you can find out yourself about triple stops.I'll need to break my habit of laziness, I guess. Thanks for the suggestions.

I have one thing to say.

A Clarinet in Eb is NOT in concert pitch. It is in Eb.

I had finally put everything in concert pitch and forgot to switch it back when I posted. My bad, lol.

It would be a more efficient and educational writing method if you didn't have everything in concert pitch while writing. That way, you can learn how to transpose, which will make making chords easier.

But that'll take longer, Etaroko. Therefore, both ways have their goods and bads.

All I have is experimenting. I really don't know much about counterpoint, either.
Just keep experimenting. When it sounds good, it is good. This, your latest composition, is good. I would even advice you not to study orchestration at this point. Just keep on doing what you did with this piece, which I'm sure you held much more focus to the actual COMPOSING the music which you wanted to express - and it worked.

If the orchestration is false and the instrumentation is imperfect, so what? This is your cue, and it worked. I can still 'hum' the main melody of this piece, now 10 minutes after listening to it once, which is always a good sign. The only real criticism I can give you is that I was expecting a climax of some sort near the end, but it worked out just fine because I was so glad that you've developed as a composer after going through this composition.

Don't study orchestration at this point, whatever you do... don't. Please, give yourself at least six months to compose music with your own instincts. I'm almost certain that by following the rules of proper orchestration now it will only serve as an obsticle for you. Your creativity will be diminished. Since you've proven to have great compositional instincts, please do use it to your benefit. Studying orchestration laws will still be there later on... Just do what you did now and I'll be waiting for your next work eagerly. Remember, NO STUDYING.

NO - STUDYING. Keep yourself at least 50 yards from music educational litterature.

(I know, I'll get letters...)

Yes Noir, you will. :P

Well, learning about orchestration really doesn't restrict your compositional instinct, really. But oppositely, if you learn proper counterpoint or proper harmony, it probably will (as you'd have to follow rules about leading tones and notes must be against this and that and whatnot). But proper harmony rules and proper counterpoint rules, though still effective, aren't important anymore. You can do whatever you want with harmony and counterpoint.

What orchestration really does, let me put it into an analogy, is merely defining your palette of possible colours of painting a composition. It doesn't restrict you much other than telling you which works better acoustically (and because the instruments works together better, it will sound better). Besides, you can break rules once you learned the rules, if you just break the rules without regarding the rules or acknowledging the rules' existence then it'd be harder for you to go back to learning about the rules. It's also the 21st century now, you have more composer's license now, you can do anything you want. But if you wish to become a composer, you must try every single thing. This include learning about old conventions, new conventions, and etc... Besides, as I mentioned before, nothing's hard in orchestration. It's merely learning about what's logical for each instruments, the same as learning about what logic is in a chord progression (something you know already). It also allows you to expand your possibilities as you will learn that there are many many more different sounds a violin can make, and how there are many interesting tricks for woodwinds to play the same note so it could sound jollier, mellow or pathetic.

Furthermore, to really prove that you have enough musical instinct as a good composer, you must prove that you are able to be creative even if rules and these blockages are in your way. That's an ultimate success/goal for many composers.

And as for Noir's comment about 'if it sounds good, it is good', I think it's a really opinionated matter. What defines good, really?

Edit: If you wish to express through your compositions, then, in order to be successful, you must try to express it in a clear way. How do you be clear? Well, it all comes back to knowing what you're doing. If you want to convey that you're happy, having every instrument play happy motifs doesn't make it sound happy in the end, it makes it sound loud and annoying. Oppositely, if you give only, say, the flute play a very bouncy part, you might at least have an audience that feels what you're conveying.

Finally, I would just like to say:

Do not take your talent for granted. Polish it and embellish it to make it even more worthwhile. Basing just your talent on every piece will only give you as far as your talent will take you, but if you are willing to learn, your limit is under your will, not at your talent.

I can see what you are both saying, but I think I won't heavily study orchestration until next year. I don't have the time or will to devote myself to it now, and I am writing music primarily for my own benefit. I plan to learn orchestration eventually, but I would like to explore and experiment more. I think I need to learn the basics before I get into orchestration, anyway. (Ex. basic theory and how to embelish my music with more than block chords) I'll worry about the limitations of orchestral instruments when I am finally ready for some orchestral composition.

Orchestration is important, but there are some pieces, written by actual composers, that break the rules that Sir Dot describes. So, if you mess up orchestrating, its really not that big of deal. But, there is a limit, you still have to take into consideration whats possible or not. And most students, directors, performers, or any other musical person, no what to do if there is an orchestration error. For example, if you give a note to an instrument, and the note is completely out of range, the player knowns not to play it, or to take it up/down an octave. The director will usually influence that decision. Or, if you forget to put a div. mark on a wind instrument and there is two notes. Were not stupid, we know to pick one and play it.

Ochestration is a big deal and all, but it shouldn't completely govern your compositions. Noir is right, if it sounds good, it is good. Yes, it is a matter of opinion on what you think good is, but Noir's principle holds true.

I want to turn an MUS file into an image file so that non-Finale users can view it. Is there a way to do that other than printing it out and then scanning it? I would like to try it with the attached piece.

Help would be appreciated. :)

This is the best I can do with a Windows "screen catcher".

http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j266/Bbclarinetist/1-1.png
http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j266/Bbclarinetist/2-1.png

Warning: Large Size...

Just use PDF995. It prints the entire score in .pdf format.

Sorry for the eight-month long absence. O_o...

Here's a little song I wrote for piano, strings, and bass. Nothing over the top, but I like it. It is designed to loop, causing the abrupt ending.

Unattainable Freedom-
http://www.newgrounds.com/audio/listen/148327

You can download this attachment, but it won't loop. I'd recommend listening to it from the above link. :)

Man, this place has seriously died down since last time I was here. It's been 2 days and my song has only been viewed by a single person. O_o...Before, I remember things being a lot more active. Is it because Noir7 vanished, or what?

Anyway, this is a simple arrangement of an old one of mine. Nothing super fancy, but I like it. I could use some positive criticism, though. :)

(I uploaded it as an attachment, but you can listen to it at this link without having to download it)
http://www.newgrounds.com/audio/listen/151445

(BTW, I could still use advice on the last song I posted xD)

Not bad. (Sadness and Sorrow)

If I wanted to change this a little, I would add more dissonance to make it sound even more depressing, and help the listener feel the mood even more, but that's just me: I've been using dissonance so much lately. It may also be a good idea to add some counterpoint to the string parts, and turn up the volume on the strings. To me at least, I feel the mood that is evoked from it, but I want it to be even more intensified. Good job. :)

Thanks for the advice, Clarinetist! It seems things have really slowed down here, and I was worried that I wouldn't get a response.

I listened to some of your recent music and noticed a lot of dissonance. I'm not a big fan of that style, though. :P I don't mind a little bit for variety, but I tend to shy away from it. I do agree that more volume on the strings would help along with some counterpoint. Good advice. :)

Sorry, I can only comment on one right now, but I'll do my best. I listened to Unattainable Freedom and I really liked a lot of it. I think you should be a little more careful with chord construction in some places and take some more time to proofread, so to speak. The strings parts would be kinda boring to play so you might want to bring out the strings a bit more in future compositions (so basically what Porsche said)

(I'm still using that cursed demo of FL Studio which doesn't allow saving! >:-(
I tend to rush through my compositions because of it. *Sigh*)

The strings were intentionally simplistic and were added at the end of the project to thicken the song a bit. I agree that they would be boring to play, probably because I treated them as an after-thought. (A bad habit I've had for years :P) Thanks for the brief advice! It is good to see that not everyone has disappeared since last time I was here. :)

Haha, when I first saw this I thought you posted an arrangement of the Naruto song with the same name. Never really being a fan of that piece, I'd have to say I like your "Sadness and Sorrow" better. I like the fact that it was very simple. Good Job!

I hadn't even watched Naruto when I composed that piece. Personally, I'm a big fan of the Naruto "Sadness and Sorrow". :P

I'm glad to hear that you liked the song. I purposely tried to make it nice and simple, as anything too over the top would shatter the mood I was trying to get across.

It is good to see that not everyone has disappeared since last time I was here. :)

Yeah, but the cursed noobs don't want to comment on anyone else's music...x_x

I'll be making an effort to do be on more and dish out a healthy level of criticism. :)

Also, I want to learn more about counterpoint, harmony, and the finer aspects of voice leading. I've been composing solely by ear and basic music theory, but want to take my studies up a notch. Anyone know a decent book or such?

Maybe this would help: http://www.musique.umontreal.ca/personnel/Belkin/bk.C/

Thank you for the link; the website has been of great assistance!

I downloaded the "squidfont orchestral" soundfont today and highly recommend it. For a free sample, it is lovely. I decided to test it out and make a short cinimatic-type song. It is only at about 40 seconds right now and is only an intro, but I like the violin motif. :)

It's good, but I think the bass needs to move to the root of the chord after the second repeat or else when the piano comes in to add to the build. Also your change to the minor sounds weird and I think it's a voice leading issue.

It's good, but I think the bass needs to move to the root of the chord after the second repeat or else when the piano comes in to add to the build. Also your change to the minor sounds weird and I think it's a voice leading issue.I was trying to create a sort of pedal-point with the bass (I think that is the name for it? :think:), but I may end up discarding that idea. I do agree that the minor chord doesn't fit, I'll change that as well. Thanks for pointing it out. I really don't know where I want to go from here. It is always difficult to keep going after the intro.

Yeah, I understand your use of the pedal tone, and it works for the first repetitions, but I think it would work better if after the first couple of repetitions you build the fullness of the piece by moving that pedal tone to the root of the chord. If you don't like it, though, just make it work for you :)

Yess! You use finale notepad! Maybe I should post my songs here on ichigos? Anyway, I like the Memories piece. Keep it up.

I've recently come out with several new songs. A few of these were done by collaborating with my neighbor, a good friend of mine. This is one such result.

http://www.newgrounds.com/audio/listen/160860

(I am trying to move slowly into the orchestral realm. I could use any advice possible! And yes, I know the snare is too loud throughout the song. It's too late to go back and fix it though. :/)

Yes, snare too loud!

Very incidental and does inspire the visuals you was telling. It fit as background music. In the ending you could raise the harmony going up and increasing the strength, tensing it all till the BAM, or to leave it non-concluded like something is going to happen after that. Which is the war.

As we were unable to come up with a satisfactory chord progression, we resorted to using his phone number for the chords. :P


How exactly does one do that? @_@ I would really like to know!
Anyways, good job I think. It fit the scene very nicely.

@Keshi: I'm glad to see someone actually read the author's comments! As far as the phone number, I'll give an example with the area code (913). In the key of 'C', a ninth would be a 'D' (The 8th being 'C' an octave up). One would obviously be the first scale degree, or 'C'. The third scale degree would be 'E'. So the progression could be D, C, E. Of course you can tweak this by changing chords to minor. So you might end up with D, C, Emin. Actually, we could make this in the key of D major.

As you might see, I really don't have any rules here. :P I just take numbers, pretend they are degrees of the scale, make them major or minor until they sound good and hope it works. It's just a way of doing things when I'm not very inspired. xD

@Nyu001: I like the idea but could use a bit of clarification. When you say "raising the harmony", do you mean modulating up to a different key? And how should I go about making things more tense? Aside from increasing the volume and number of instruments playing, what would I do to make it more tense harmonically?

Perhaps I'm over complicating things. It's too late to go back and fix it (It was made in a demo of FL Studio which does not allow saving of projects) but I'd like to learn for future reference. I'm not very good with climaxes.

That's actually one of John Schmidt's techniques...however not one I've ever really wanted to try. However, sometimes I suspect that's how John Williams came up with the theme from Close Encounters of the Third Kind :P.

By raising the harmony I mean to use an ascending chord progression. In a motion going up. That would give the sense that the music want to reach something or to reach a climax that you can put as unfinished without resolving the chord progression or as finished with the last notes being the tonic or a chord that release all the tension that was build in the rise.

The tension is about the kind of chords you would use and the constant use of consonance and dissonance with a gradual motion to higher pitches or staying in a straight motion in the harmony and the melodic parts and basses taking the role of increasing the tension till release it.

Those were the only thoughts I could think as an alternative ending. Since it is like a war prelude. So, what would have come next is the war, after that preparation, which is advising something is going to start.

@Nyu001: I grasp about 90% of what you are saying. I'm a little slow when it comes to theory and such, but am steadily improving. I'll be taking AP Music Theory when school starts and I am beginning to study independently, which should hopefully help. Thank you for the advice, it is very helpful and has given me ideas!

@Deathraider: Jon Schmidt is where I got the idea, actually. I remember reading about some seminar or something on his website, and it said how you'll learn to construct chord progressions using phone numbers and the circle of fifths. I thought it was a joke, but I tried it and it worked out! xD

Time to move on to the next piece I suppose. This one was also a collaboration with my neighbor. It is titled "Best Friends", as he is...My best friend. :P (Don't be too hard on me, his mom suggested the title)

http://www.newgrounds.com/audio/listen/162596

This is easily the longest piece I have ever worked on. Close to 5 minutes, with plenty of variety! :D This one is less incidental sounding in my opinion.

Interesting way to do a collab, but it came out alright sounding I guess. It has a certain sweetness throughout, which is pretty appropriate given the title, though personally I would've preferred a little bit of an edge with this piece (mainly just adding some passing accidentals and the like). Also, there are a few parts in the music that the audio crackles, which I suspect might be clipping. All and all, not too bad though. Keep it up.

I didn't hear any crackles when I listened to it...Weird. I have a difficult time using many accidentals and having them sound decent within the song's context. Thanks for the advice.

Here is a song a started on today. It is a piano arrangement of the Song of Storms from Zelda: OoT. I am at the climax and don't know how to finish! Any advice on how to conclude it would be greatly appreciated. :D

http://www.newgrounds.com/audio/listen/164877

I have nothing much to say about this. Just that is going quite nice the arrange. I hope you resolve your ending problem. I have no idea what precise ending this would have. I thought various alternatives but mostly screamed for more music.

Thanks Nyu001. I was thinking of ending it here, but may end up adding another section before the final resolve. I need to break away from the same three chords. :p

Someone on another site suggested that my left hand was far too simple and that I should implement countermelodies, chords, etc. That made me realize that I just use a bunch of arpeggios most of the time! :( I want to break away from this, but don't know how to succesfully beef up my accompaniment/left hand. Any suggestions on how I might make the left hand more complex?

Someone on another site suggested that my left hand was far too simple and that I should implement countermelodies, chords, etc. That made me realize that I just use a bunch of arpeggios most of the time! :( I want to break away from this, but don't know how to succesfully beef up my accompaniment/left hand. Any suggestions on how I might make the left hand more complex?

I would suggest doing some counterpoint study in order to break away from it. What I usually do when I'm in these situations (composing for piano) is to write it out for strings. Strings tend to not favor arpeggios (in my opinion, I don't like using arpeggios in strings), and demand resonance and more texture. Then I just put it into a piano reduction.

You could try making a different chord progression, but that's just from me with my dissonant style. :heh:

Do you mean study species counter-point or whatever it's called? I've hard of it but know little. Do you know if there are any free resources on the subject? I can't really afford any texts. I suppose I'll just google it.

I would take your advice on composing for strings, but I am terrible at writing for strings. :/ That is something I need a good deal of work on. I would normally break away from the chord progression, but I'm nearly finished with the song as is. Thanks fort he advice.

EDIT: I've pretty much completed the song, but can go back and adjust things as needed. Here is the final version! :D

http://www.newgrounds.com/audio/listen/165200

Do you mean study species counter-point or whatever it's called? I've hard of it but know little. Do you know if there are any free resources on the subject? I can't really afford any texts. I suppose I'll just google it.

Nope, not Species Counterpoint (which I still need to study on :heh:). What I did was to look at orchestral scores and listen to the pieces, paying lots of attention to not-so-obvious details. (I'll comment on your revision later...)

Alright, I thought you were talking about the FUX method of Species Counterpoint or something. I like your suggestion a lot better, personally. :p

I looked a bit at Species Counterpoint and did not like the amount of rules. It all seems so constricting and dry. I'll study it eventually though.

Looking over your revision:

Yes, it wouldn't hurt to do a little counterpoint study. It's just the left hand that bothers me (the whole 4-note bass harmonization, but that's just me). xD

Counterpoint study it is! As far as classical music is concerned, I mostly listen to Rachmoninov and Chopin. Do you have any recommendations?

Also, attached is an old MUS of my song "Sadness and Sorrow" as well as a midi. Here is a link to the mp3 version that I recently revised:

http://www.newgrounds.com/audio/listen/151445

Each one is slightly different, but the differences are not enormous. "Sadness and Sorrow (edit)" is a midi of the original piano. "Sadness and Sorrow Final Arranged" is a midi of my attempt to add a string ensemble. >_>

Counterpoint study it is! As far as classical music is concerned, I mostly listen to Rachmoninov and Chopin. Do you have any recommendations?

*Note that these are just suggestions... the main goal is to find your own way through this.

Mozart (especially Piano Concerto #20, the first movement. It uses syncopation to the most extreme point (at least, during the Classical Era). Just go on Wikipedia for Mozart (it's called the Neue-Mozart Augstabe (sp?) or something like that) for the score).

To name a few others:

- Nicolai Rimsky-Korsakov (NOT TOO MUCH, though. Do not go too far other than orchestration and counterpoint with this composer. He's great with orchestration, but the music can damage one's compositional ability (like it did to me)). :heh:
- String Quartets/Quintets (Schubert: String Quintet in C Major, Mozart has a couple of them, but I haven't been able to listen to many of them). Great way to learn counterpoint.
- Beethoven's 3rd Symphony. The time when this Symphony was made is sometimes used to mark the start of the Romantic Era. (Orchestration)
- This may not be necessary, but what I did in order to get to learn about each instrument was to listen to a concerto made for each instrument (mostly Mozart for me).

That warning seem funny. Lol

Here is a website where you can find various score which you can study their orchestrations and other things: http://imslp.org/wiki/Main_Page

The scores there are public domain.

I would listen to the midis, but I can't with my P.C. dying.

Edit:

Rarely looking for something, I found an article of Species Counterpoint:

http://ntoll.org/article/species-counterpoint

That warning seem funny. Lol

Here is a website where you can find various score which you can study their orchestrations and other things: http://imslp.org/wiki/Main_Page

The scores there are public domain.


Heh, I just discovered that website myself recently. Very nice site, though unfortunately many of the more popular 20th century pieces are currently "blocked" due to copyright reviews and such. Still, lots of good stuff there. In fact, I was just going over Holst's The Planet's along with the recording by Maazel/Orchestra National de France (absolutely stunning performance by the way). Definitely A+ reference material for overall orchestration and thematic development.

Anyways, I highly recommend you and others to check this website out - it's an excellent resource for those who are interested in studying the classical music in detail.

Yes, The site was closed due copyrights problems in some countries but they open it again now. Some of the pieces are still blocked and others have no reached the years to pass to public domain.


Before someone inevitably asks, the answer is no; this is not Naruto. It isn't related to the song "Sadness and Sorrow" on Naruto, nor did I even watch the anime at the time I wrote this. That is a great song, but this is completely unrelated aside from the coincidental sharing of titles.

I was thinking all the time the piece was an arrange of that Naruto's song. Until I read that and till I listened to it.

I am seeing you are lacking of climax moments or a proper ending in your pieces. Try to go with a different chord progressions there and don't forget the candeces.


I really need a decent strings sample for free. I have been using the string soundfont that comes with the FL Studio demo, but I can't stand it anymore. Know of any good samples for free?

http://www.sf2midi.com/ <--There you can find various soundfonts.

That is all extremely helpful. Thank you for the links and suggestions. I will be using that wiki page quite extensively!

@Nyu001: I've never been very good with composing climaxes. That is an issue I have been conscious of for some time now. Though I *DID* put a great deal of effort into making a climax in my most recent arrangement. (The one I posted before Sadness and Sorrow. Was that climax and ending more satisfying?)

As for endings, some of my songs are meant to be either loops or have very understated ends. Again, I attempted to make a more satisfying end in my most recent piece. :)

Here is a recent piece I composed. It is extremely incidental and follows an emotional theme of remorse/regret. This was written for the MAC8: Sorrowed Tears contest on the NewGrounds audio portal. (I didn't win the $100 prize, unfortunately :P)


It is a combination of the ever cliche piano and strings. A simplistic piece to say the least, but quite emotionally inspired.

Tears of Remorse:
http://www.newgrounds.com/audio/listen/160919

Yes, quite simplistic which make it great to evoke those emotions. Very incidental too, great for the background of a scene. I think you accomplished what you wanted to evoke. Personally the piece does bring the feelings in me, thing that does not happen often. Otherwise, in the last parts I think you could have looked for another chords or a change of key. It would have improved the piece, I think.

If you really want to study counterpoint, I highly recommend you buy the book Gradus Ad Parnassum: The Study of Counterpoint translated by Alfred Mann (ISBN 0-393-00277-2 $16.95 www.wwnorton.com). You can find this book at Barns and Noble.

I can't recommend this book highly enough for a study of this matter.

@Nyu001: Thank you, that seems to be fair enough advice. I am still learning to modulate effectively and would hate to butcher the ending. I'll be looking into that, however. :)

@PorscheGTIII: Funny that you should mention that book, as I was looking up that exact edition on google today. I just began my AP Music Theory class in high school and the Theory II students were learning Fux's Species Counterpoint. I will be learning it in class next year but would like to get a head start. I'll see if my instructor has a copy that she is willing to lend. Thanks for the recommendation!

Speaking of Fux, my Music Theory class decided to make an unofficial celebration of his birthday. We'll all bring in food and have a party in the classroom. We decided to call it "Food and Fux Day" *Which our teacher actually allowed! xD). Due to the fact that none of us could actual find the day of his birth, we decided on August 29th. We're also celebrating his death, which is also "Food and Fux Day". (We really like to party in Music Theory class, apparently. :P)

With Tears of Remorse, I have the same opinion as I did with Sadness and Sorrow: I feel the emotion that is evoked from it, but I want it to be more intensified. I feel that the piece should be extended, perhaps, with a transitive theme in order to extend it.

Good job. :)

I must admit that I do not know what a transitive theme is. Time for google! :P (Thanks for the advice)

I am attempting to self-teach myself species counterpoint. Here is a (first species) counterpoint that I created based on a dorian cantus firmus by Fux. The top voice was composed by Fux and the bottom was by me. I attempted to follow all the hard rules of the species that I could.

Did that work?

I must admit that I do not know what a transitive theme is. Time for google! :P

By a "transitive theme," I meant: make another theme to go after the main melody to extend the piece.

It has been a very long time since I posted a new song or even composed for that matter. I got up this morning and decided to compose something to cure my boredom. This isn't completed by any means; I plan to add a contrasting section immediately after what I have here and I'll rework the orchestration. This is more of a compositional sketch for the time being. Any comments?:)

Sure, it's necessary to complete the chord, but try to avoid closely spacing the notes. Try to note the pedal changes for harp (if you need more info on this, let me know). That's all I have to say.

Thank you, I hadn't considered the chord spacing in the strings. They are clumped now that I re-listen. I am not sure about what you mean by pedal changes. My knowledge of orchestration is quite poor. I composed this in FL Studio, however, and have no way of signifying anything relating to notation of pedaling from what I understand.

The harp is built upon 8 notes: C, D, E, F, G, A, and B. A note's changes are directly related to its respective pedal. So if I wanted to play an F major scale, I would write above the staff: C♮, D♮, E♮, F♮, G♮, A♮, B♭.

If I wanted to play to a C major scale, I would write B♭ ---> B♮ at the spot I want it to switch. If I wanted to play an E minor scale (from C major), I would write F♮ ---> F♯ at the spot. Pedals need not always follow scale systems.

Enharmonics can also be used, so I could use C♭ and B♮ at the same time if I want to. This is why the harp's glissando usage is so unique. Note that one cannot just switch pedals quickly in between notes. This is the reason why in (mainly) atonal pieces more than one harp is used.

Hey everyone! It's been a while, but I have finally managed to compose a song. My neighbor and I co-composed this today over the course of several hours with a demo of FL Studio and multiple free soundfonts. I am pleased with the way it turned out and would like any comments/criticism available. :)

http://www.newgrounds.com/audio/listen/197333

Without read what you typed or you friend typed in the site. The first I was thinking was of a war in cold lands. I liked the effect of the "canons". I also liked how the music moved at 2:48. However the violin or viola still doing the same pattern after that got be a bit tired of hear it. But excluding that little thing, I really like the piece. For to be done in some hours in a day, is well done.

By the way how do you save the scores if you can't save in FL studio? Do you just let it die or you just write it down?

Without read what you typed or you friend typed in the site. The first I was thinking was of a war in cold lands. I liked the effect of the "canons". I also liked how the music moved at 2:48. However the violin or viola still doing the same pattern after that got be a bit tired of hear it. But excluding that little thing, I really like the piece. For to be done in some hours in a day, is well done.

By the way how do you save the scores if you can't save in FL studio? Do you just let it die or you just write it down?Thank you for commenting! 2:48 was my favorite section, actually. I'm glad you pointed that out! I did not think that the violin was too tiring to hear when we wrote it, but I can see what you mean in retrospect.

Since we can't save scores in the FL Studio demo, we simply compose until we feel like it is done, turn it into an mp3 and let it die. Unfortunately, we can't go back and change anything once we are finished. Sometimes, we turn all the instruments into midi-channels so we can open it up in Finale later, but that is a huge pain.

I guess, a messy score! I assign the different midi channels with the instrument that will work better for it for not have a really big mess. And delete tracks that won't work in midi. That is what I tend to do when I export, but rarely I export. By the way, I may enter in the contest! if I get to do something fast today. Tomorrow deadline there, haha.

A very messy score! Even when I separate the midi channels and such, it ends up being a nightmare in Finale. Especially piano; the left hand ends up being in the treble clef at times and and the rhythms don't often come out correctly. It is better than nothing, I suppose.

I'm hoping to do well in the contest and save money to buy the full version of FL Studio. That way, I could actually save projects and spend more time to make them quality. I received 8th place a few months ago, but I think I have improved since then. You should definitely enter! :D

Hello! My neighbor and I have composed yet another piece together, and I am interested in any advice or criticism you have to offer. It is called, "After the rain".

http://www.newgrounds.com/audio/listen/204193

Thanks! :D

Sweet melodies and progression. I was thinking that to distinguish the fast part from the ending section, instead of a piano solo in the fast part you could add a drum set doing some light cymbal taps; I don't know if it would make it sound more corny though, but it would be nice if it could build to a climax with percussion and synths and then transition to the sweet piano solo. ^_^

I think if you use a different chord when the Oboe arrives it would have help to fresh the repetitiveness of those two chords. When the Sax's phrase finished. I was predicting a new chord would be played, but did not happen.

In contrast of what someone commented in that site, I think the second half is fitting very well with the first half. If was me, I would have modulate the return of the first half and finish the piece in another key. But no idea if that would work better than leaving it in its original key.

@ajamesu: I was actually considering putting in a drum set there, but my neighbor (who I composed this with) was against the idea. He was adamant on it being solo piano right there. Thanks for the advice!

@Nyu001: Actually, we did add new chords when the sax came in. It was originally just C Major and F minor. When the sax part came in, we used those chords for a four bar phrase and then added four new chords immediately after. We used that to create a parallel double period. At least, that is what I think it is called. Also, we DID change keys. Right after the oboe and sax played off of one another, we went into a g minor chord and then C dominant 7 to serve as a transition to our modulation to the key of F major. This was just a bit before the fast section. We did end the piece in another key. I am glad to hear that someone thinks the second section fits. I was really worried. :heh:

Thank you both for the advice and commentary! It is quite helpful. I would still like more criticism on this one if anyone else would be so kind. I am going to criticize some other compositions here myself. I haven't been here in quite a while unfortunately.

My ears lied to me, I am horrible Lol.

Edit: I re-listen to it again. I noticed now. ~.^;;;

For some reason, to me, the oboe entrance seemed to be a bit too sudden. I think it's because the alto sax phrase kind of just abruptly ends (at least to me). I think I hear what you're trying to do with timbre, and I think it would be better (if you can) to switch the oboe to a soprano sax (just a thought), unless you want the listener to notice the difference in timbre (then just stay with oboe).

The mood change at 2:25 was too sudden for me (but I could see how it could be intended). Perhaps, if you want a percussive effect, try something in the strings.

I also see that you have a story to which to relate this piece of music; and a few suggestions I have on this:

1) Form the music as a story. (Beginning, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, Resolution.) What I don't see is the rising action (talking about 2:25; it's as if the climax appears too early). Add in some foreshadowing, in-depth details, etc. musically.
2) You mention, "Through both the good times and the bad, real love endures." There's something that I want to see with the beginning. I'd like to hear, like when one reads a story, any other conflicts/situations that are happening. It's not as if the plot line is straight-forward; there has to be other things that are happening. What are they? and how can you describe them musically?
3) It would also be a good idea to have the alto sax and oboe play in the 2nd part.

--

I think I may have gone too far with this, but just try them if you want. xD

@Clarinetist: We used the oboe and sax very deliberately in this case. The oboe was supposed to serve as a feminine voice while the sax was supposed to be more masculine. We wanted it to be almost like a young man and woman talking back and forth. As for them playing in the second part, we were really feeling like having it be a piano solo almost in the style of Jon Schmidt's rhythmically driven piano music. Thank you for all of the advice. It has been helpful!

My neighbor and I composed yet another piece the other day. It has been posted on his newgrounds account:

http://www.newgrounds.com/audio/listen/207014

Any advice? We used the FL Studio Demo and free soundfonts once again. We also do not have the midi data and cannot go back for editing. However, I would still love advice for future reference. We almost have the funds to buy the full version of the program! :D

Sounds like a battle theme for an anime, an RPG or something. Sounds awesome, cool soundfonts and perc sounds, works well as an incidental piece. I only didn't that part when the melody comes in at the mellow slow strings part (~1:20); I didn't like that soundfont you used for the melody, the action is too slow IMO. Other than that, it was pretty sweet. :punk:

I think the biggest problem with the piece is the varying quality of the soundfonts. Your percussion, and most of the orchestral stuff sounds quite nice, but the solo violin and whatever brass instrument that was around 2:00 stand out as being poor. Either do them all awesome or all crappy.

It's a good piece, though. It fits the game-groove quite nicely.

I think the biggest problem with the piece is the varying quality of the soundfonts. Your percussion, and most of the orchestral stuff sounds quite nice, but the solo violin and whatever brass instrument that was around 2:00 stand out as being poor. Either do them all awesome or all crappy.

It's a good piece, though. It fits the game-groove quite nicely.

Oh! It might be the fact that the solos aren't as prominent as they should be IMO; the balance between the featured solo/i and the background accompaniment is a bit off. I really think the string melody could sing out with a better soundfont, and a better brass one could be more powerful and menacing.

Unfortunately, I have had a difficult time finding a free solo strings soundfont. The attack on the violin is very slow and makes it bad for soloing unfortunately, but it is all we have at the moment. I would agree with ajamesu as far as the balance; we turned the percussion volumes nearly to the max from the start of the song and were unable to get more volume out of the other instruments.

Thank you for the advice! I am on the lookout for better soundfonts and should hopefully be able to purchase some sound libraries in the near future. Sample quality is the one thing that I always seem to get busted on, lol.

My favorite parts are the introduction with the percussion and when that brass entered after the string section(1:55). The only that I did not like was the string part, but that is just thing of taste. ajamesu & Alfonso de Sabio already pointed out of what this piece suffer. Oh, I would include also the ending was abrupt. Anyway, the composition is good and I enjoyed it.