If you use flute with trumpet (esp. with a non-professional group), the trumpet will more or less overpower the flute because of its sharp and brassy tone. If you use it with clarinet, it will leave the clarinet very colourless. So you should aim for the trumpet to be alone or doubling alto 1 (since alto sax's tone resembles horn in band situation and horn usually blends well with trumpet).

Ok... so it's official. I discussed it with my band instructor, and he said to double:

Flute>Clarinet I
Alto Sax I> Trumpet I
Clarinet II> Alto Sax II
Trombone> Tuba
Percussion

I dunno, it all depends on what your band is capable of (which only you know). Junior high, eh? Might wanna lay low on the clarinets then ;)

I'll have to be the Clarinet I.... (I always am) ... because, so far, it looks pretty high... or I'll have to get the other clarinetists to learn all the high fingerings :shifty: .

So I sat in on a presentation yesterday, and the guy was a teacher at an art school. He used to be a painter, but he gave it up because he loved colours so much. I don't remember what his reasoning was, but I wonder if anybody here could love music so much that they abandon composing.

Actually, music as a general doesn't really intrigue me THAT much (not that it doesn't, but just not obsessed), oppositely, freedom to create something and applying it to music at the same time does.

Guys.

When I get Finale here, I'm starting a Symphony.

Odd, huh? I'm just crazy enough to even try to write one.

Oh well, weither it'l actually be my first symphonie will be the question, more of an exercise for me to compose in Sonata-Allegro Form.

Hm... a symphony? If you're going by the strict rules, it will be a tough nut to crack :P

I'm composing something for a concert band (about .... 5-6 months left, so plenty of time :heh: ) and I'm starting right now...

It's supposed to be a "Theme and Variations" piece...

I need to know:

1. Where can I find examples of a CLASSICAL-styled "Theme and Variations piece" (not for piano). I've only listened to Mozart's Clarinet Quintet K. 581, 4th Movement
2. How long should my phrases be?

2. How long should my phrases be?

The classical style tended to emphasize regular phrasing of 4, 8, and 16 measures a great deal. Of course, this was hardly a rule (it's not hard to find phrases of 7, 15, etc. measures in the works of clearly Classical era composers like Mozart or Haydn) but it was a tendency that appeared a great deal, especially compared to the Romantic era.

Really, as long as you know what variations are, and as long as you know what classical sounds like, you should be good (variations are one of the simplest forms of classical music, structurally speaking).

I know you said not for piano, but just as background information: I think the classic example is Mozart's twinkle twinkle (Ah, vous dirai-je, Maman). It's simple enough to follow, yet it contains enough substance to use. Now, it's less "usable" for an ensemble, but it should be excellent for at least learning purposes (to grasp the style and characteristics of the theme and variations).

Additionally, you may want to view Beethoven's variations (most of them will do, as he wrote a lot, just be sure to avoid his Diabelli variations and the 32 Var. in c minor, WoO 80...they're a little 'off' from the usual classical styles)

There are several ways, the most common is perhaps composing a theme (MUST be simple and easily distinguishable...8-16 bars, preferably). You should then "add to it" (i.e. place 16th notes around the theme, put it in triplets, change the key, etc). But for an esemble, to make things easier, pass the theme (intact) from instrument to instrument, and make the other instruments play the "decorations".

Examples:
Piano Concerto no.15 in B-flat - II (http://www.4shared.com/file/4188584/28402745/piano_concerto_no15_in_b-flat_-_ii.html)
Piano Concerto no.17 in G - III (http://www.4shared.com/file/4188633/5796d574/piano_concerto_no17_in_g_-_iii.html)

Notice espcially how the piano and orchestra complement each other in the variations...you can clearly hear the theme being played in one instrument or another (just pretend that the piano is another instrument...)

Hm... a symphony? If you're going by the strict rules, it will be a tough nut to crack :P

Yes, but I have the thing that you actually NEED for this--confidence.

you'll also need a HELL lot of caffinated beverages and hot-pockets to get you through ;) ...guess depends on whether you're making a smaller one, or a huge symphony...
pshh, rules? heh, if you're the musician, then YOU make the rules!

Don't worry, just prepare yourself maybe 2 hours every day for the next 5 years to compose, just like me and my concerto. :lol:

Lol.

Well, I've been studying Beethoven's Pastorale (No. 6) Symphonie and thinking about something like that, a little modern, and romantic, but with that same old classical feel and themes.

I was thinking like some simple thrre movment symphonie in C, like it seems everyones first was, but I feel like that's a waste of my time and not really what I have in mind for my symphonie. :heh:

EDIT - BWUAHAHA! Finale 2007 came today.

Now I think I'll go hide in my corner, and show my joy in my own ways. Lol.

Anyway, now I'll be composing again--for real--and more advanced stuff. Mainly, more "grown-up" you can call it now.

Ooooh! I want to hear some songs made by 2007! I wish I had $99 to upgrade right now.

Yay! I found out today that I get to transfer into IB Music, and I'll be specializing in Composition first year, and Composition and Solo performance next year!

Does anyone know how the bagpipes work? I want to write a Scottish style song for Reflections. The theme is "My favorite place...", and the Highlands of Scotland are by far my favorite place that I've been so far. So yeah, I know the bagpipe uses just tuning as opposed to equal temperment, so what key is the most common variation of bagpipe tuned to, and how do the drones work? I looked it up on Wikipedia, but it didn't make very much sense.

Ok, here's the first 12 measures of my "Rhapsodie for Orchestra in C"

mp3 ! Zomg! Lol

If you're going to spell Rhapsody the French way, perhaps you should say Rhapsodie pour l'Orchestre...

I like it so far, though, I think. GPO hasn't changed that much from what I can tell. What kind of percussion is there?

Oh, and PLEASE, someone help me with the answer to the question in the previous post. I just didn't want anyone to overlook that.

Edit:OK, I changed the e at the end of Orchestre. Actually, there should be an accent on the 1st e, too...

XD The proper French spelling should be: "Rhapsodie Pour l'Orchestre" if my French hasn't gone rusty.

Lol, alright *C+P's into the Finale Title Box*

And yea, I;ve revised like 40 mins of time in those 12 measures, and took 40 mins to start/revise the next 6, where the melody comes in with the melody and back-up rythum.

Anyway, the only percussion there is Timpani. It sounds great to me actually. ^_^

Oh yeah, it's great, just not different from Finale GPO in 2007.

Once again, please refer up to my above question about the bagpipes!

I'll comment/give criticisms to your piece when you do more of it. =P But ah... Why does no one comment on my new piece except for my friend? x_x Oh well... Hm... I always wondered if composers here had musical families (relatives that are semi-pro/pro musicians), cos I, didn't have anyone that are related who are musical. XD So yeah... Is it an influence or is composing just natural and talents?

To really compose, it's simple.

You either "get" music, or you don't.

You HAVE to be born with some sort of understanding of how music is interpreted and harness the power of it.

Well, that's my theory. :lol: (Btw, I'll comment on your piece SirDDD).

XD Well, that's pretty standard, but when I go to the composer workshop and talk to the other people, they all tell me that it's either their parents force them to learn music thus they got hooked to creating their own or their parents or uncles and aunts are professional musicians, thus they're influenced. But like myself, I'm not too into performing music (I hate practising piano) and my family is not musical but I like to compose for some strange reason. So I'm just wondering what are you people's 'influence' to composing. :P

My life is my influence. I have no other real reason to have so much enjoyment that expression my feelings and emotions into my music--as well as creating something just because I'm obligated to.

My whole "striving hunger" (what you want to know) for composing and playing music is most possibly my mentors--and most importantly--my Grandmother. True Kindred pair, she's like my second mother, and she feels like I'm her own.

She was into music and played piano and organ for years--that's probably where i picked music up from.

I composed my first song after watching Amadeus. "I want to do that too." My dad is a composer too. I grew up watching his songs get performed by the choir. I guess that's another influence.

And now I compose to satisfy my own twisted mind =)

My parents aren't really professional, but they both used to perform at an opera house. My dad got a minor in music, or maybe even a degree, but he does software programming. He used to compose a bit for the piano, though. I've just always been interested in music because my family loves to do music together.

I'm in to composing, though, because my sister was a little into it, so we got a composing program when I was little, and I would make stuff up on the piano. When I was REALLY little, I used to sit down at the piano and say, "I will now play Moonshine," and then proceed to pound on the keys, using perfect posture and curling my fingers like a pro.

My parents know nothing about music. My grandparents knows nothing about music except my grandpa on my dad's side who can play grade1 level of chinese classical. I got into music when I was poking the keys on my grandpa's old piano when I was 3years old. Had to wait till 11 or something before I got any formal lessons cause my parents thought I was just going through a stage...for 8 damn years!! Even then, they didn't want me walking down the path of music until about a month ago when they FINALLY agreed to let me study some composition and maybe get a minor in it as a side of my business.

Yeesh, the things a guy gotta do to pursue his dreams. You guys who have parents that support you, I can't tell you how envious I am of you all!

PS: This topic could be a whole new thread haha!

My family is as tone deaf as you could possibly be. I asked my dad if he knew who Frederic Chopin was, and he answered "He's the one who cut his ear off, right?" <__< As for my mum, she listens to Swedish/Finnish pop music. Enough said. <_<

Composing is a blessing and a curse. Whenever I listen to music (and I mean, always) I listen to it in a way I never did before I was into composing. I always listen to how the song is structured, created, and sometimes I try to pick out notes/chords. This is pretty annoying and the least thing you want to do when sitting at the cinema watching a new movie, but it comes naturally.

Lol yeah. Music scores before I played instruments and composed came "naturally" as you said, but now you seem to pay A LOT more attnetion to all the little things, ya know?

Anyway, I also hear myself commenting on peoples interpretations of playing the piano. I've been getting more critical and more critical everytime I get better at something.. it's odd, but it works before the less I notice it down the road, the less anyone else will. :lol:

yeah, it makes you analyze the music everytime, rather than just enjoy it...

^True about me too...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Off-topic: I was scanning through Mozart's Concerto In A Major for Violin, when I noticed a term: "Lunga" :huh:

What does this mean?

Also.... I won't be making a Concert Band piece yet... I have GOT to study CHORD PROGRESSIONS! ... Can someone also help me with COMMON Classical Music Chord Progressions? I already checked the topic on this.

I asked my dad if he knew who Frederic Chopin was, and he answered "He's the one who cut his ear off, right?" <__<

That would be Vincent van Gogh =P

Lunga? @_@

The best way to learn about common Classical music chord progressions is to study the chord progressions for tons of songs. The more you analyze, the more you'll understand, and then you'll get the feel for it.

Yeah, pretty much what Al said.

And also, it's good to start with rock, since Rock usually WHORES chord progressions. :heh:

What is "WHORING" (in your context)?

I was always wondering if people here likes avant garde/contemporary music (not rap, pop, hip hop and those, but like semi-atonal and minimalistic pieces). Because I know quite a few of us here does not like these music. I had been enlightened/inspired that these music aren't what they seem. Yes, they're not the prettiest music that'd fit movies, but they have their own special qualities and rights. It's alright to not like them, but it doesn't mean you have to discriminate it, or isolate it. Plus, it's like putting Chopin's nocturnes in the medieval era, no one would accept his music if it's in medieval era. So being composers, we should always keep in mind to accept all sorts of music, and just cos it's abstract doesn't mean it you cannot respect it.

^Is Stravinsky's "The Rite of Spring" an example?...

I remember reading somewhere that some person made a song in that style, showed it for judging, the judges thought he was trying to "ruin music" :lol: .

Wow, that had an unusual amount of grammatical errors for you, Sir. I like it if it's done tastefully and if it really has a point. If it's done just as an expiriment or just to be different, it often isn't worth listening to for me.

=D Yeah, I'm too tired to type without grammatical errors. But it's not just about listening, it's also about how you interpret it, like paintings and all that.

I smell alcohol around here.... DEATHRAIDER ?!

Yes, because that's totally relevant to composing.

Would it be possible to write a good song when drunk, do you think?

I think you feel more creative when drunk, but I doubt the outcome of it would be of any high grade.

Hehehehe, that was really random and I don't get it, but it still made me laugh. Actually, I chose not to drink, and I will continue to chose not to drink when I am of proper age to drink, because I think the effects of alcohol are disturbing. In other words, even if my music sounds like it was written by a drunk person, it wasn't. :P

Whoa, deathraider. Who are you to criticize grammatical errors? "Will continue to chose not to drink?" "The affects of alcohol?" Come on now.

Mozart used to compose while drinking.

I'm sure it'd sound wonderful when you're drunk, but once you sober up you realize you're just banging keys on the piano.

Unless you're Peter Griffin. Oh, and what's wrong with "I will continue to chose not to drink"? I get the affects/effects one and I fixed that.

Actually, I just noticed how many errors there were, and it seemed more than usual for the Sir. I'm sure it was mostly tiredness that caused Sir to make them, but I decided to comment on it. I know I'm not perfect, though.

I sometimes do the Peter-Griffin thing at parties ;) When we have a party at my friend's house and invite lots of randoms... I play the piano with one finger, acting like someone who has never touched a piano in his life. Then, after a few hours when everybody's drunk I play Für Elise or something, pretending it's the alcohol =P

I've gotten several good laughs from that =)

I was always wondering if people here likes avant garde/contemporary music (not rap, pop, hip hop and those, but like semi-atonal and minimalistic pieces). Because I know quite a few of us here does not like these music. I had been enlightened/inspired that these music aren't what they seem. Yes, they're not the prettiest music that'd fit movies, but they have their own special qualities and rights. It's alright to not like them, but it doesn't mean you have to discriminate it, or isolate it. Plus, it's like putting Chopin's nocturnes in the medieval era, no one would accept his music if it's in medieval era. So being composers, we should always keep in mind to accept all sorts of music, and just cos it's abstract doesn't mean it you cannot respect it.

From what I've heard of it, it really doesn't appeal to me in the least. The atonal works I've heard are uniformly quite dissonant and often chaotic sounding. Minimalism seems to pulsy and repetive to me. Both come off as rather soulless and mechanical, really. They seem too mathematical and uninspired, like the composer is more of a scientist than an artist.

20th century is more about changing the boundaries of the perceptions of music...way back when, people wrote music to please an audience, for avant garde works, it's the exact opposite...people write works to get the audience to grimace (and hopefully reflect on what actually IS music)

check out John Adam's 'Short Ride on a Fast Machine' (I don't have a recording). It's a minimalist work, but it's musical as well. You're right about saying the composer is more like a scientist, as a lot of modern music is purely based on mathematics...but I would still like to hold that the composer is an artist. Then again, what IS an artist?

Once again, I find myself asking, "What the heck was Noir7 talking about when he started this whole drunkeness thing?" Someone, and I will not mention their username, told me it was a "personal occurence" which he said he couldn't share with me that inspired this conversation...

Nope. I dont like modern classical music in the least. I remember hearing a song called Scaramouche with an alto sax and a piano, and i thought it was... just... *shudders* composed by a Frenchman, if any of you know about it.

Modern classical music = "Crapsical". At least the stuff I've heard. Yeah, I'm talking to you, Aaron Copland!

20th century is more about changing the boundaries of the perceptions of music...way back when, people wrote music to please an audience, for avant garde works, it's the exact opposite...people write works to get the audience to grimace (and hopefully reflect on what actually IS music)

Yeah, that's true, but at times, the music seems almost calculated to be as ugly as possible, like the 5-octave tone clusters in Ligeti's Atmosphères or Threnody for the Victims of Hiroshima (yeah, I know it's supposed to be unsettling, but the raw dissonance seems a rather heavy-handed way to convey it). Personally, the shock-value approach that a lot of modern art takes simply feels rather gimmicky to me.


check out John Adam's 'Short Ride on a Fast Machine' (I don't have a recording). It's a minimalist work, but it's musical as well. You're right about saying the composer is more like a scientist, as a lot of modern music is purely based on mathematics...but I would still like to hold that the composer is an artist. Then again, what IS an artist?

I've heard it, but I didn't particularly enjoy it. It has that "pulsy", repetitive quality that annoys me in minimalism, too stilted and not enough contrasting sections. Basing music purely on math seems like a mistake to me. The result doesn't have much room for soul.

Contemporary music aren't based on much calculations actually, they just use new effects to create music or they use old music theories to create new kind of music. They do have depths and meanings, it's just that if people won't 'open' up a little to accept all noises as possibility to create music, then you just can't accept it as music.

The math part pertains to 12-tone matrix.

But the bottom line is, modern music is far more than just for listening...it's for thinking as well. Bringing philosophy to a traditional art form ;)

Short ride...4 minutes of adrenaline with a woodblock...quite simple, but works, no? It reminds me of this piece that I'm playing in my school band...
http://masonbands.com/ConcertWSRecordings2.htm
It brings to to a page with some reference recordings. Click on Harrison's Dream by Peter Grahm

Oh My God. :O :O :O RA and Symphonic Choir from East West Quantum Leap is having a group buy, Symphonic Choir is 60% Off!!!!!!!! OH MY GOD!!! It was originally nearly a thousand dollars, and now it's four hundred!! *Temptations*

Just don't hump it there buddy. ^_^

XP Ack.. I just realized it was JUST over... x_x

erm, sorry to bother you folks, but does anyone know the normal playable range for a cello? normal as in you dont have to struggle to play it. the actual range is welcome, too. please and thank you ^^

I think "struggling to play it" isn't what you should be worrying about. You should probably worry about how it sounds at different octaves. It sounds kind of heavy in it's low range, and sounds a bit stretched if playing a lot in it's high range. If you get a fairly good cellist to play for you, though, playing these high and low notes probably shouldn't be a problem. The range goes 2 octaves above and below middle C, I believe.

I think "struggling to play it" isn't what you should be worrying about. You should probably worry about how it sounds at different octaves. It sounds kind of heavy in it's low range, and sounds a bit stretched if playing a lot in it's high range. If you get a fairly good cellist to play for you, though, playing these high and low notes probably shouldn't be a problem. The range goes 2 octaves above and below middle C, I believe.

Pretty much what he said, but just to add my own two cents: high cello parts (notes that are on or beyond the treble staff) are very very expressive if played appropriately, and is warmer than a violin if used in the right context. High cello sound is one of my personal favourite tone. ;)

wow, it has that big of a range? thanks ^_^ and interesting note on a high cello sound... do you know of any songs that utilize it fairly well?

Mr. Lundi of the Jazz Express here in Waukesha can play about 4-6 octaves higher that the b-flat on the top of the bass clef on the trombone.

holy cow :o omg are you serious? even i cant play that high, and im a clarinetist x.x i can only play to about the second A above the staff, but according to you, he can play higher than me... x.x well, how does it sound? does it sound strained, or does it kind of sound like a french horn/trumpet?

you could also say "Rhapsodie für Orchester" if you want to say it in German :unsure:

German is a nice language to name your compositions in actually... on the other side, German sucks when using normal romantic sentences like "Ich liebe dich!" (I love you) which sounds more like "The world belongs to Germany!!!" to those who don't know German, when said out loud, lol =P

Anyway.

Has anyone tried composing for just *one* solo instrument like Violin? It's a real challenge to create something with a melodical instrument without any accomaniment at all and make it sound good.

Has anyone tried composing for just *one* solo instrument like Violin? It's a real challenge to create something with a melodical instrument without any accomaniment at all and make it sound good.

I did. :P A few times actually, it's not really that hard, it just really depends on how you interpret music, I mean, some monophonic music can be nice too. =D

Tempo Markings

Is there an exact tempo (in 4/4 time) for these markings? I put down what I've heard... (q= means "beats per minute" in 4/4 time).

Grave... q=1-39
Adagio... q=40-60 (also used for slow, light pieces).
Andantino... q=61-84
Andante... q=85-99
Moderato... q=100-119
Allegro... q=120-130
Allegretto... q=131-144
Presto... q=145-149
Prestissimo... q=150+

Can someone tell me if there's an exact chart for this stuff?...

Tempo Markings

Is there an exact tempo (in 4/4 time) for these markings? I put down what I've heard... (q= means "beats per minute" in 4/4 time).

Grave... q=1-39
Adagio... q=40-60 (also used for slow, light pieces).
Andantino... q=61-84
Andante... q=85-99
Moderato... q=100-119
Allegro... q=120-130
Allegretto... q=131-144
Presto... q=145-149
Prestissimo... q=150+

Can someone tell me if there's an exact chart for this stuff?...


Metronome marking wasn't invented until late classical era, so no, there are no exact numbers for any markings.

Allegretto is slower than allegro.

i though allegretto wasnt a tempo, and it just meant to play it in a joyful manner o.o

Nope, it's a tempo, and it's slower than allegro. You might want to add Largo to your list.

^ @_@ What's largo (in terms of Tempo Markings)? (estimate, please)...

Largo is slow. And like I said before, all these tempo markings does not have a set number, thus you should just use it accordingly.

Yeah, forget the name itself. Just give the actual tempo number, and there will be no ambiguity.

Edit: I stopped using tempo markings xD I use whatever I feel, which may or may not change as time goes by.

I personally still use tempo markings as opposed to metronome markings, because I like to give the performers (if performed :P) a little more flexibility and artistic freedom. But I still need metronome markings for notation programs.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Italian_musical_terms_used_in_English
(scroll down to 'Tempo' heading)

Meh, tempo markings are just for a basic idea to start with...a good number of earlier baroque music even have tempo markings...




holy cow omg are you serious? even i cant play that high, and im a clarinetist x.x i can only play to about the second A above the staff, but according to you, he can play higher than me...

play some more and learn your altissimo range ;)

french horn and clarinet have some of the larger standard ranges....so you should be able to reach significantly higher...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Italian_musical_terms_used_in_English
(scroll down to 'Tempo' heading)

Meh, tempo markings are just for a basic idea to start with...a good number of earlier baroque music don't even have tempo markings...




holy cow omg are you serious? even i cant play that high, and im a clarinetist x.x i can only play to about the second A above the staff, but according to you, he can play higher than me...

play some more and learn your altissimo range ;)

french horn and clarinet have some of the larger standard ranges....so you should be able to reach significantly higher...

An even somewhat skilled clarinet player can hit the G above the staff (not on the staff, +oct).

^I can hit the C above that (playing for 4 years)... ^_^.

Speaking of tempo markings, which one do you usually use the most? I personally use andante a lot, but adagio isn't much behind. :P (Heh, yeah, my songs are relatively slow... Even if some of them are a little agitating.)

:think:....

L'istesso Tempo
Andante
Allegro

Usually, Andante for me too...

EDIT: Would this be considered "classical"? (as in the era)... or if not, what style?..... :think: It's a piece someone composed at a different forum...

The beginning was pretty classical, but near the end, there were some semi-romantic elements/feels.

An even somewhat skilled clarinet player can hit the G above the staff (not on the staff, +oct).

well, yeah. i would think a lot of people have a basic idea. i learned how to play that high that early o.o and yet... -.-



play some more and learn your altissimo range ;)

french horn and clarinet have some of the larger standard ranges....so you should be able to reach significantly higher...

eh. i dont bother to learn the fingerings. I try to get it by luck xD my book only goes up to the G an octave above one lying on the staff


^I can hit the C above that (playing for 4 years)... ^_^.

eh. some of us aren't that talented :P

But altissimo is fun once you get the hang of it ;) You can annoy the crap out of people AND impress them!

Heh, the leger line G is the hardest alto sax altissimo i think, I usually finger LH(1-3)RH(1-3) (like a D, with octave key, but without the A and the E key), and squeeze my embrochure and play from the throat.

The high D is the easiest and pretty fun....just finger the octave key, and the topmost lefthand key you can hit (should be above the B key)...give it a spin :P

:think:....

L'istesso Tempo
Andante
Allegro

Usually, Andante for me too...

EDIT: Would this be considered "classical"? (as in the era)... or if not, what style?..... :think: It's a piece someone composed at a different forum...

I would not call this piece classical at any point. In fact, other than the waltz area, which is romantic, I think the piece is more modern. The harmonization was too complex for classic.

not to sound dumb, but you know when you read chords (Dsus, Bb, etc.), what does it mean when theres like this little circle or zero by it? (it looks like the degree sign) o.o

not to sound dumb, but you know when you read chords (Dsus, Bb, etc.), what does it mean when theres like this little circle or zero by it? (it looks like the degree sign) o.o

It means diminish.

ok, thanks :D

and the tempo markings i use most are allegro, moderato and andante, although i tend to use words like spiritoso more...

I guess I use Allegro and Moderato very often... sometimes Adagio

could someone plase help identify this scale if they can? I've noticed that I've used this scale a lot in my composition and sound excellent. It looks like F major but despite that, when i end in a D, it ends well and sounds finished.

D-E-F-G-A-B flat-C-D

Looks like D minor.

Yup, D natural minor.

Descending melodic D minor!

haha, nice one Al :heh:

Anyone have examples of the "Medival Modes"? (Lydian, Dorian, etc...). I've never heard many songs in these Modes... (except for those from Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time :heh: ). I've never thought of composing in these modes, either, until now....

wikipedia is your friend, it has info on those modes, and some have examples ^_^

Uh oh guys! Some drafts that I've been coming up with are so Debussy inspired Lol.

I bought his preludes book 1 a coupld days ago, and have been influenced easily by that impressionistic style. It seems so simple, but there's so much discriptivness to it.

Might be a third style for me. x_x

Does anyone have any ideas of how one could capture the feel of a suburb in music?

Suburb... Hmm... Interesting... XD Well, try 'smooth and runny' woodwind melodies on top with moving underlying strings? I don't know, but I think of it that way. Lol.

Smooth and runny, as Dotdot said!

I got Finale 2006 and EWQL Symphonic Orchestra Silver Edition. Does anyone know how to combine the two?

Or create an mp3 using those EWQL's sound from a midi?

EWQL samples are just that; samples. You'll need a sequencer to combine your sounds with your MIDI. I use Cakewalk Sonar, some use Cubase...

From there just learn the program thoroughly and you will have no problem using your pirated EWQL samples ;-)

Or you can use a sampler, like moi. :P But I don't know whether you'd want to pay extra money for a sampler though... :heh:

LOL. Wha? Pirated? How did you know I was chinese? =(

anyone know how to capture a nostalgic/looking back sound/feel?

btw what's EQWL?

thanks for the help.

Yeah, I'd say a lot of tremelo violins would help with nolstalgia. A calm flute with a vibrato effect playing fairly high would probably work nicely too, I'll bet. And throw a piano in there playing dissonant chords, why don't ya.

listen to the "Somewhere in Time" piano solo, i think that might help...

and maybe a french horn solo? eh, i dont know...

I think none of the above ^^; Nostalgia is something very personal, and so some people would get nostalgic of a thick brass section while some others would prefer a high flute.

Ah, I love it when people ask how to capture feels.

Well seriously, get an alter ego.

(Meh).

I'm trying out for the 9th Grade Select Band, and I need help on one of the pieces. The tempo says Allo Agitato, but the "o" in "Allo" is in superscript (like a degree sign) and is underlined. Any idea on what it means? I'm assuming that it means Allegro, but I just want to make sure :/

Uh oh guys! Some drafts that I've been coming up with are so Debussy inspired Lol.

I bought his preludes book 1 a coupld days ago, and have been influenced easily by that impressionistic style. It seems so simple, but there's so much discriptivness to it.

Might be a third style for me. x_x

WHA?!?! Impressionistic music SIMPLE? NEVER. It's what brought us into the Contemporary Period and is a base for Jazz and such!

Also, I think for me, woodwinds are most nostalgic.

Edit: perhaps I should have added the :P smiley into my post so it didn't seem so critical. Anyway, Debussy isn't impressionistic by default. He is one of the ones who most cleary defines the period and who comes out with some of the most vivid impressions, such as the impressions of "Clair de Lune" of Moonlight and Shadow, as well as impressions of ancient temples, girls with flaxen hair, etc.

You say that as a bad thing-and that was an opinion right off the back, so don't go around BLABERING about it. Plus, Debussy really disliked the title 'Impressionest' and mainly said he had his own style, a different one.

But he's classified Impressionism by default. :P

~~~

But anyway, I have been impropvising a lot like the style that Debussy is writing. I mean, it was just an expieriment to think of a scene and improvise to it, but now it's really grasping me hard. Lol. It's weird, because I'm not 'obsessed' with it.

Anyway, just sharing the news. (again)

WHA?!?! Impressionistic music SIMPLE? NEVER. It's what brought us into the Contemporary Period and is a base for Jazz and such!

Jazz is related to Impressionism?

Yes. Debussy, you could say, is the one who ''invented'' jazz.

But really, he gave it the base of everything and people here and there jolted off from that. :heh:

Stupid Debussy...

Spoonpuppet and I talked about the next CC and she gave me a pretty good idea. She said that we could use a muted video clip, or anything really, and then compose music for its duration. What do you guys think? Would it be too hard? I don't want to discourage people to enter the CC :)

If it's too hard, then what about simply a picture?

If it is a video clip, how long are we talking?

Or how about a CC for an interpretation of (people choose one) :

Picture/Painting
Story/Novel/Poem
Video Clip

Mainly, make it an "Composition Contest: Musical Interpretations"

That may be a bit too broad.

If it were a video contest, it would probably be about 2-4 minutes.

I would be game for that, depending on what kind of clip it is.

Well, it would be something that everyone could relate to and create his or her own interpretation of (ideally). It could be a simple ripp scene from a movie, or something :)

I think that is a great idea; though, it would be more difficult than usual. If you were to fall through with the idea, I would suggest an increase in the entry time because it would take a while longer to line everything up with the clip. Maybe twice as long as a normal CC. Also, would we have do some video enditing to make our composition play with the clip? If we did, it would limit us on who could enter because one, of the skills required to do the editing, though it is not too hard if you try, and two some people may not have the ability to export files as MP3's.

Just an idea for another contest to keep in mind. How about a partner contest?

Just some thought here that just popped in my head. If I said something really stupid, pretend I didn't say it. :lol:

Just an idea for another contest to keep in mind. How about a partner contest?
They already did that, and if I recall correctly, a lot of people ended up dropping out of it.

I'm trying out for the 9th Grade Select Band, and I need help on one of the pieces. The tempo says Allo Agitato, but the "o" in "Allo" is in superscript (like a degree sign) and is underlined. Any idea on what it means? I'm assuming that it means Allegro, but I just want to make sure :/

Assuming it's on Clarinet... I think it's Allegro...

(Which piece is it?) :heh:

EDIT: This may seem as a bad question, but...

How do you come up with melodies for a song you're composing? Do you use an instrument or just use the computer? If you use an instrument, how do you start (scales, random 16th note runs, etc...)?

I'm out of ideas for a concert band piece I'm doing....

Melodies are something that should come naturally in order to sound good. That is, of course, if you have good skills to put ornaments (ie: orchestration, harmonization or etc...) you don't have to follow that rule, as many atmospheric pieces does not require melodies.

So that's my piece of advice, if you can't think of anything, wait a bit. ._. Be patient.

I *always* come up with my melodies in my head. Also when you're figuring out a melodic pattern, try to find the right chord at the same time. Composing melodies together with chord patterns is what I truly recomend.

Actually, you know, a video for the contest might not be fair for those with slower connections.

If we were to take the video idea, I could just upload it on Youtube...

First, think of the purpose of the piece and the mood you want the listener to feel. Then just keep that in mind when you're writing the melody. Obviously, a sad/slow melody won't fit a happy/fast mood.

Hmm.. I actually aganst the whole video clip thing.

I know it's a composition contest and it's mainly to improve our different styles of composition, but I think that's a little more than JUST composition kinda. (Just my opinion).

Yeah, I agree, the video clip idea is unfair to those with slow connections (like me o.o). Even on YouTube, it takes a pretty long time to load (through personal experience). I like the idea where you compose for a picture better :\ How about composing with a theme, like the ocean, or sunflowers? ;)

Melody composition, eh? Try to come up with it in your head and play it on the instrument you're composing it for (if possible) because it might not be practical (too hard to play, notes sound weird on particular instrument, etc.) However, if you come up with a melody in your head, you must be careful because it might've been something you heard before, but you forgot and think it's original (happened to me once or twice:heh:)


Assuming it's on Clarinet... I think it's Allegro...

(Which piece is it?) :heh:


Yep, it's for clarinet :D Thanks for the help anyways, even my teacher didn't know @_@

Actually, the sheet music didn't include the name x_x It gave the composer, though. Mazas. It's in Concert Bb. That's all it gives me, sorry :\

EDIT: I put in a short excerpt from the piece (too lazy to key it all in, sorry :heh:) I hope we don't have to play it too fast because I can't double tongue that fast @_@

Are all in favour of a picture composing as next CC?

^I don't know about that.... Slow internet, especially on pictures and videos...


EDIT: I put in a short excerpt from the piece (too lazy to key it all in, sorry :heh:) I hope we don't have to play it too fast because I can't double tongue that fast @_@

I can't double tongue, and I could do that :P . Looks like a study...

What!?! How can you play that and not know how to double-tongue?!? x_x I think it is a study, since Mazas composed a lot of studies for different instruments, but mainly did violins.

Well, pictures load faster than videos, so I'm for it. Two questions: Will the contest include multiple pictures that we have to connect together in a song, or one picture to compose on, or multiple pictures from which we can choose to compose a piece on? Also, when's the next contest going to start?

Hey, what about the song being holiday-themed? Not Christmas, some of us don't celebrate Christmas (I do, but some people might not), but anything holiday-ish. If not, what about bonus points if we make it relate to the holidays? Eh, I don't know @_@

I like the idea. Will the contestants get to pick/vote for the picture to use?

EDIT: What parts would you have two trumpets play from a SATB score?

@clarinetst: Oh come on, even slow internet user can view a simple picture can they?

@ajamesu: Well, I was originally thinking to have only one picture which all should compose for, so that we get unity in all songs. It might however not be a bad idea to let everyone use a picture of their choice :think:

Saying you're against a picture composition contest because your internet is slow is silly. Jpeg files are only around 15kb most of the time. Even if you have a 28k modem, which is the slowest I've ever heard of, and which I don't think anyone even has anymore, a jpeg would take *HALF A SECOND TO LOAD.* Also, if your internet is too slow to load a few pictures, then how can you even browse the internet to come to these forums? All websites have pictures all over them, and this one is no exception.

....Just thought I'd throw that out there. XP

AYE for the picture interpretation CC.

@clarinetst: Oh come on, even slow internet user can view a simple picture can they?
Oh, I thought there might be a possiblity for one of those really detailed pictures @_@ . I'm OK with it, then :) .

Also, if your internet is too slow to load a few pictures, then how can you even browse the internet to come to these forums? All websites have pictures all over them, and this one is no exception.
My browser skips over pictures. If I want it to load a picture, then I click "Show Picture" ;) .

Wow, I feel really out of the loop. So many new composers since I've last been here.

Where've you been, anyways? :)

hectic choir/musical rehearsals/performances

Exactly. 'Tis the season.

That reminds me, I need to work on something for Christmas...

Since it doesn't look like I'll get any comments in my composition thread <_< , I might as well post this here.

Clarinetist: Well, I'll give you one comment here: don't make bass clarinet do trill cos it's gonna make it sound muddled in real life performance.

I agree with Sir, but I like those grace notes the bass clari. plays, find another way to incorporate the bas clarinet in the opening measures. If you wanna study a song that has a similar opening, study "Gypsy Dance" by Joseph Compello, which start with a trill and a short fanfare, and then a timpani feature. The timpani is featured throughout the entire song, which might be what you're going for? ;)

I'm not sure if I like the melody or not, it seems more like a "yes" than a "no," but to make sure, you need to post up more of your song. Keep working on it :)

Yay! I finally have gotten back in the loop with my Sonata for All Seasons! I'm so ready for a new contest, though.

Question, do Harpsichords have damper pedals?

Question, do Harpsichords have damper pedals?

Nope, they have pedals that changes the timbre of the instrument though and people usually gets that mixed up.

Cool.

Since it doesn't look like I'll get any comments in my composition thread <_< , I might as well post this here.

If you would save your music as mp3 or midi then I'll give you a comment cause I can't open your finale files.

And tons of harpsichords don't have pedals at all. They often just use different manuals to have different timbre or dynamics. The damper pedal is what largely put harpsichords out of business. Still, I would almost always go for the Organ.

**Off discussion**

Ok, the CC should just be a christmas theme. Wayy to many people are composing stuff for it. Lol, I'm making an arrangement for piano of the best Christmas song too. :heh:

Lol, I was planning to do it for a while (since summer, to be exact) anyways, but I was caught up on other compositions back then. :P Meh.

Yeah, we should do a Christmas Composition Contest! We'll do the picture one later :P

I was scanning through a String Quartet piece (made by Beethoven), and I noticed something strange in the Viola part... QUADRUPLE stops? Really, there was 4 notes in the Viola part, and no div. noted.... is this even possible?

I was scanning through a String Quartet piece (made by Beethoven), and I noticed something strange in the Viola part... QUADRUPLE stops? Really, there was 4 notes in the Viola part, and no div. noted.... is this even possible?

Yes.

How do you "direct" a piece (not conducting)? My band director said I would be doing that when my song is playing during the concert...

I think he means you should give your piece a sense of direction; you know how I always tell people to 'justify' their pieces? Same meaning. How do you 'direct' or justify music? Give it some flow and let it be like a story as opposed to chunks of notes and chords.

It doesn't happen during the making of the compostion, but when the song is performed... (I'm supposed to play the role of an "Artistic Director").

In this case, I think he wants you to let him know what you want in the piece (eg: the trills, the mordents, and etc...). All these little details are up to your own personal preference.

^He has a score :mellow: . Or do you mean being picky about trillls/mordents, like during the Baroque period?

Like I stated before, it's all up to you, if you like it the baroque way, do it the baroque way, if you like it the late classical/early romantic way, do it that way. You can even make it up, I mean, these symbols are universal, but not to the point that it's a must.

clarinetist: did you actually ask him what he meant?

^Yes, I did... (and I get it).

Sorry for DP, but I was searching around and found something really interesting. A remix of Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata (Mv. 3). It sort of sounds funny, in my opinion :lol: .

Ugh... I've heard the piece as much as Canon, and I also heard a heck load of variation of it. This doesn't surprise me, and it's rather annoying. x_x I'm not saying it's a bad piece, it's just that I heard it too much.

It's neat, but let's say--any of us here could do better.

Lol.

Ooh, it sounds cool ^_^ The arranger forgot to notate staccato, though, which erked me x_x

I remember the Starship troopers animated series had a techno remix of momvement 1 from beethoven's op. 13 piano sonata...the c minor one...

It was pretty cool...
here it is (http://youtube.com/watch?v=Jg-Qs-M6WyI)

I can't believe I wrote a rap song (http://www.crumble-onuts.com/music/Rap.mp3) for a class...

I guess I'll do anything for extra credit. x_x

xD That's too much!

Hey...hey...don't be playa' hatin'...

I remember the Starship troopers animated series had a techno remix of momvement 1 from beethoven's op. 13 piano sonata...the c minor one...

It was pretty cool...
here it is

:heh: I liked the original version of the piece better...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ga6lBfUoIE

I kinda agree. Being a composer has definitely affected my performance. It doesn't mean I necessarily play better =P but I do understand better what it is I am playing.

I got a new computer with more memory and awesome speakers for Christmas! That means I can use Finale GPO to it's full potential!

I just listened to the John Rutter Requiem. Has anyone else heard any of it? It's so beautiful!!!

Cool. High quality music from you then, is what we shall expect.

I should really review the songs in the Christmas compo ;___; I just don't have enough time! I'll try to squeeze in some times tomorrow.

:heh: Yeah, I'm kinda the same way. I'm too lazy to even listen to them all.

Heh, about my Christmas compo, it sucks. I'm going over it again and adding a bunch more. (not that it matters since its already been entered)

I rushed my Christmas Compo, if I had more time, it'll be longer. XP

Meh, I always forget what my original idea was, so a 2-minute piece usually ends up 6 minutes long...

I rushed my Christmas Compo, if I had more time, it'll be longer. XP
Oh, shut up. You've pretty much won. :P

Guys, should we come up with some mini music project like we had with "The Chronicles of Ichigos?" again? The thought of collaborating in composing songs together was really nice, and was very educational (especially for those interested in VGM music).

Guys, should we come up with some mini music project like we had with "The Chronicles of Ichigos?" again? The thought of collaborating in composing songs together was really nice, and was very educational (especially for those interested in VGM music).

Yes we definitely should! :P Perhaps, we can have something like a musical, operetta, or something that we all can participate in.

We should definitely do an operetta! That would be so awesome!

Question, how hard is it for woodwind/brass/string to play in 6 Sharps?

Question, how hard is it for woodwind/brass/string to play in 6 Sharps?

For oboe: Very hard, annoying and is a nuisance to play anything more than 3 flats/sharps.

For flute: It's okay, but don't expect amateurs to play it perfectly.

For clarinet: Same with oboe, except they can cheat and get through it easier and less noticeable.

For Bassoon: Probably evil, cos they have fifty thousand keys for thumbs.

Brass in general: Not hard, they have only 3/4 valves to deal with.

Violins: They don't like overwhelming accidentals, but they like sharps better, so prolly they're okay with it.

Violas: I have no idea, but prolly same as violins.

Celli: I don't know.

Bass: They shouldn't mind as long as they only play long notes, one pizzicato note every bar and all those common slow and unimportant movements that most people make them play.

Hope that helps! :P

Guys, should we come up with some mini music project like we had with "The Chronicles of Ichigos?" again? The thought of collaborating in composing songs together was really nice, and was very educational (especially for those interested in VGM music).
That sounds like a great idea!

(VGM music is a redundant term.)

Thanks, SirDotdotdot.

Or we can have multiple projects. :rolleyes:

PS: Deathraider: No problem. ;)

Guys, should we come up with some mini music project like we had with "The Chronicles of Ichigos?" again? The thought of collaborating in composing songs together was really nice, and was very educational (especially for those interested in VGM music).

I think that would be an awsome idea! I was thinking (which may be a bad ting in of itself but anyway...) what if we got together with the artsy people in the art forum and made an original visual novel? It may be a little bigger than a mini project though :heh:

But The Chronicles of Ichigos would be a fun one to continue doing too!

Yeah with wicked keys for woodwinds, just make their parts easier. A farily good clarinetest should be able to play them well--I know I can if I practice it.

That's it. I've tried composing, mixing, sampling and whatnot for about 7 hours straight now. FUCK. I've never experienced something more frustrating. I want to go back to MIDI music.

<.<;;;

That's it. I've tried composing, mixing, sampling and whatnot for about 7 hours straight now. FUCK. I've never experienced something more frustrating. I want to go back to MIDI music.

<.<;;;

:comfort: Yes, sampling and mixing is very annoying (but in the end, it will be worth it). But don't go back to MIDI no matter what; don't go back to the dark side. :no:

Wow, strong language Noir7. Why is MIDI the dark side?

Wow, strong language Noir7. Why is MIDI the dark side?

MIDI is just pure horrible if you're working with acoustic instruments. I mean, the violins don't sound like violins, they lack control, they lack articulation, they lack dynamics, they lack the after-sound that instruments give... I can go on, but I'm just basically saying: once you get into sampling, never get back to MIDI, cos it sucks. End of story.

MIDI is just pure horrible if you're working with acoustic instruments. I mean, the violins don't sound like violins, they lack control, they lack articulation, they lack dynamics, they lack the after-sound that instruments give... I can go on, but I'm just basically saying: once you get into sampling, never get back to MIDI, cos it sucks. End of story.

Yeah, most of the instruments sound like buzzing of some sort.

OK, now I'm less confused. Yeah, samples are better, but yes, it does take a while to learn how to use them...

XD Even if you do know samples, it still takes a heck lot of time. Furthermore, if you bought lesser known samples, they usually require a lot of setting up and makes you even crazier.

Unless you're good with samples and have expensive software like me. ;)

Of course, mastering and stuff still takes a while...

What expensive programs do you have? XD

Meh, I'm content with Finale GPO for the moment, besides the fact that it doesn't have saxophone or voice samples.

Meh, I'm content with Finale GPO for the moment, besides the fact that it doesn't have saxophone or voice samples.

Isn't there a new Jazz GPO that have sax samples in it?

Yeah, but 1)I don't have any money and 2)I don't use saxophone/jazz instruments enough for it to be worth it. The new one with voices that I heard is coming out, though, I'm seriously considering...

Actually, there's a jazz one, and there will be a marching band one. Oh, and there's this one called GEM (GEnereal Midi). But I look forward to GPO Advance, and some other ones that won't come out until this year's summer or later. ;)

I have like... no motivation to write anything. I have tried composing both with notation and recording, but nothing works. When recording, I can't hold the damn rhythm, and/or the samples are screwing up ALL THE TIME. When notating, crescendos don't work, expression marks are ignored by retard Finale and the volume abruptly descends randomly at one point for no reason... the list goes on.

I've never been this frustrated when composing. Ever.

Yes, sampling can be that frustrating. I can understand how you feel, Noir. Maybe you should start to play around with the velocity MIDI markings (I think it's C7,##) and keyswitching on Finale (I personally use this way as I don't have any fancy sequencers or recording softwares and Sibelius works well this way). Or you can do it the longer way: do your piece in MIDI first, then export your tracks to Sonar and tweak it there. The second way would take longer, but it's much cleaner in the end as you have all your rhythms from the precision of Finale, and then you can manipulate tempo, dynamics and etc... on Sonar.

What version of Finale are you using?

I'm sure he's using 2006...it seems to be the uh...cheapest one that you can find... ;)

I'm sure he's using 2006...it seems to be the uh...cheapest one that you can find... ;)

Finale 2006 isn't the cheapest one. :mellow:

~~~

Deathraider: If you're asking Noir, I recall that he uses Finale 2004.

Heh, that's kinda why I try to get better at composition alone, and not always caring what is sounds like--especially since I'm trying to become an actual composer for real instruments. :heh:

Still, great sounds would be nice.

I'd like a guitar, drumset GPO--and I wish Finale could have their MIDI stuff and GPO play at the same time, to have nice strings and also the drumset and try to find crappy sfz for Sonar.

~~

By the way--Is there any good FREE soundfonts out there that you guys use?

Well, samples are real instrument sounds, so actually, when you make your music sounds 'real', you can understand composition much more.

There are a bunch of soundfonts out there... Google it. I'm sure there'll be a bunch with drums and guitars, though I wouldn't suggest using soundfonts as they're basically the same as MIDI, except more manipulated and customized.

Why, which one's cheaper? I got my version cheap-as-free. = \

Uh, Printmusic, Songwriter, Music Time Deluxe, Smartscore Lite Editions and etc... Just to name a few. :huh:

So this week I have to write a paper comparing western and non-western music...man am I gonna have to do some topic restriction.

Finale 2006 isn't cheap unless you pirate it. *glares*

@Mazeppa: I'd say presentation is about 70% of the listening experience, so it does matter. Alot. 'Not caring' about sound quality in composition is like painting something with horrible colours. You always have to underestimate your crowd.

The sad part is though, that the same 70% could match the amount of time it takes to create these presentational additions...

Oh, don't get me wrong, I know presentation for.. presentation is important--don't forget I'm also a pianist/band player too. Lol.

~~

Unrelated : Wow, I think I'm going to give wind players hell for this next piece I'm making for full orchestra. Concert Pitch = C# Minor. That's like F# Minor for clarinet and trumpet. Not to mention french horn as well. :heh:

Anyway, it's more of a tone poem/setting that an actual type of melodic-sections compo. anyway.

:mellow: C sharp minor isn't too bad for oboe, as long as it doesn't require too many left and right switching.

Oh, and too add on to Noir's comment about presentation of the music: yes, the audience is all about presentation, and furthermore, samples are real instruments sounds, so it would be a much better learning experience than the useless MIDI.

c# minor! My favorite key!

Yeah, it's my second--compared to C Minor my fav.

It has that textur-like some for the chords that sound good with the pitch of the instruments (especially the strings, clarinet and oboe).

Ugh, C sharp minor on oboe does not sound good, and I'm saying that cos I'm an oboist. I prefer flats over sharps anyways... Go A flat, D flat, G flat majors. Awesome keys for atmospheric pieces.

Has anyone got any motivation/ideas for a project for us mega composers to do yet?

Short story with our music?
Short game with our music?
Mini musical with our music?
Operetta with our music?

What about an Ichigo's Suite, or Ichigo's Concertino, or Ichigo's Symphonietta? :P

Db Major, yay :D

A short story, a musical and a suite all sound fun :)

Lol, I've been thinking of writing a story, but portrayed into a musical set.

**I JUST noticed that this is what Noir's 'Wings of Tradegy' is. Ah fnuck--well tohers do it, so I'm not an idea copier.

~~

Whatever happened to that "History of Ichigos" RPG Game? Lol, I know you said you're (Noir) taking a break from making the game, but I made some pieces for it a while ago, hah.

I still stick with operetta, preferably fantasy/sci-fi just for the novelty of it.

@Mazeppa: Yeah, I made two episodes of it. Unfortunately I can't be arsed to continue on it since it takes so much time :( More than you think actually... And argh, just cos I'm writing a story and turning it to a semi-musical doesn't mean you can't :P You think I came up with that idea?

@Death & Sir: All good ideas. Please expand on those, and try thinking up a concept or theme, and if we like it... we may contribute and write it. Then once it's settled, I'll make a pinned thread!

All good ideas. Please expand on those, and try thinking up a concept or theme, and if we like it... we may contribute and write it. Then once it's settled, I'll make a pinned thread!
SPACE PIRATES!!!!!

Or, we can have 2-3 projects at the same time, as we all have different preferences and styles. :P

~~~
As for my suggestions, I'd choose concertino out of the three (I've heard a harp concertino earlier and it's so pretty *_*). So yeah; basically, we'd have 3-4 movements (doesn't have to be long, we don't need a real concerto). We'd have the main theme for the first movement, then a minuet or some other dance for the second. A fantasia/variation of the theme in the third, and a restatement for the finale. But throughout the movements, composers must stick to the elements of the statement (first movement), and by doing this, composers can learn from other composers' styles and etc... Each composer does a movement, and in the end, we'd have a complete concertino! :P I also think this should be for chamber orchestra, as not everyone is familiar or comfortable with orchestration here.

One of my former classmates wrote a song based on the side effects of some medication, hilarious!

How about some kind of theme? Like, let's say we base it on the colour red. It can represent love, anger, etc. That way you can have a number of movements, all connected in some way.

Or how about an interesting story? If some guy (John Adams) can write an opera about Nixon in China, surely there are better topics out there. Like . . a fairy tale! Those are always interesting, if you can twist it around. Maybe the wolf needed to feed Little Red Riding Hood to his starving family. Maybe she was a spoiled brat and should have been eaten. Who knows?

Yeah, an interesting story sounds interesting :) Anyway, it's time we do something like this together, so perhaps I should make a discussion thread soley for suggestions and ideas, so we keep this thread for normal discussions.

Getting back to composition, I prefer to write in C major. If there's another key I want to use, I'll figure out all the chords while in that key (it's easier for me to write down the progressions), and then I'll modulate everything to the new key. Yeah, random fact you didn't need to know, haha.

What about when you have modulations of key within your progressions?
I'm a messy composer, and I often just pick a key that I think will probably work for what I'm trying to portray. If I'm starting with a melody or progression from my head, I use the key it was in when I was audiating it.

Oh, and does anyone else find that we have a growing problem of stupid threads that keep getting started because noobs are dumb and can't figure out that they should post questions about composition programs in the "composition programs" thread? *grins sheepishly at memories of own noobness*

I compose in C major aswell :) (A minor too) I agree that it's easier to find a direction for the song that way.

lol i'm weird so i like 3#'s (A major/F# minor). Its harder to play cuz of all the accidentals tho

Bb Minor.... for some reason (5 flats).

I don't like minors with flats, but I like majors with flats. My favourite keys are D flat major, A flat major, E flat major, and E minor. Though I usually compose in C major or A minor, as it's much easier. :mellow:

What about when you have modulations of key within your progressions?

I modulate everything to the new key, including the modulations within the progressions. =P

I love to write in more advanced keys (3 sharps or flats or more usually) but it sucks when it comes to composing my ideas into orchestral arrangements. Lol, it's because I like the tone of the keys, and when it's a transedentla of the key, it sounds off.. :(

I agree that it's easier to compose in C Maj./A min. You can always find the key that best suits it after the song's done.

I'm with Mazeppa with this one. It's just not the same to me in C major as in other keys, and so the ways the chord move within the range of each instrument are different if you compose it and THEN put it in the key as if you compose it in that key in the first place.

Oh my god, today, I heard a full recording of The Rite of Spring (Sacre de Printemp) by Stravinsky. It's like totally amazing. I know half you population don't like 20th century music (yes, it's not tonal at all, with lots of crashing dissonances), but hell, The Rite of Spring is more than a masterpiece... For those who have heard it or parts of it (you'd probably have at least heard the Sacrificial Dance section), what do you think about it?

I've heard the 1st part of that before. It's not that bad, actually. :)

I don't think I've ever heard any of it, but I've heard about it a lot.

^Ditto. *points to self* This person does not like atonal songs :bleh:

I'm somewhat sure that The Rite of Spring will change your mind though. It's just totally amazing, especially the orchestration and rhythmic counterpoint.

Yeah that is one hell of a piece, for sure.

It's a start for everyone for anything of "atonal" pieces, then Debussy to complete it.

~~

There's also some Liszt out there that is also atonal as well, but you seem to get acustomed to the style as you learn more about and actually feel music.

I actually find Liszt's atonal pieces not as interesting as Debussy's, Stravinsky's, Webern's or Ravel's. It's probably because Liszt is more of a tonal composer and the style was rather fresh in his era. Furthermore, his atonal stuff are easier to interpret than Debussy or Webern (an example would be Nuages Gris).

Does anyone (that uses Finale) know the Channel and Patch # for Whistle? I can't get it to work (Click Window then Click Instrument list, look at the numbers next to "Whistle") :whistle: ...

It tells me...

Pan.........64
Channel...10
Prog.........1
Acoustic Grand Piano