I'm kind of new to this forum and to composing in general, but I just started on the song below. Constructive criticism would be great!

Oh. That's actually pretty good for a newbie, I'd have to say. Overall, for a little piece like this, it sounds pretty nice. Just try not to have too big of chords in the lower registers-keep them to 5ths (spread out chords).

I really enjoyed this - it definitely has a nostalgic air to it. However, for me, at least, the C#s, while they fit with the song, ruin the nostalgic feel that I think you're aiming for. The only other thing that I was wondering was if you had big enough hands to play the last chord (left hand). I certainly don't (although I'm only the tiniest bit too short).:P

Actually, chords like that are accecptable. Some newbie composers take that for granted, however, and make the left hand do very quick passages at 11ths (which are impossible for mostly everyone).

Thanks for your criticism. I just started work on this new piece (also for piano) just last night. It's called Midnight Gallavant and I've still got to finish it but here's what I've got so far.

Midnight gallavant is a really good song. I think it sets the theme you were going for very well. You seem to have a good grasp on the classical style... just my opinion :) nice job

Very Neo-Classical style. It serves you well. I'd like to see what you could do with some emotion, though.

Still working on the Gallavant but I sat down and wrote this one in about an hour. It's a trumpet solo with piano accompaniment. I have a lot of free time after 9PM. :sweat:

Ha! It like it, it's enjoyable to listen to. I would work out some of the Trumpet runs to sound a little more melodic, and work on the right hand piano accomp. in some places.

Midnight Gallavant is great! Despite the fact that it's 1AM here and I'm dead tired, it made me want to start jumping around! :P My only suggestion would be to put it in cut time. The Variations was also very fun to listen to. Some of those trumpet trills are awfully tricky though - then again, the whole song is pretty difficult for trumpet (especially that high G at the end :P). Great work, and keep it up!

Yeah the trills are bad (I know I can't do them anyway:lol:) but I wrote it more for kicks.

Very nice use of secondary dominants and modulations. The one thing I didn't like was when you got really heavy chords in the bass, and it felt a little muddled.

Well I finally put an ending on Midnight Gallavant but it's not finished or anything. Nothing really new yet, though.

The arpeggiated chord at the end feels out of context. The whole piece is kind of an "in-your-face" staccato feel, and that ending doesn't quite fit the mood. That said, if you're planning to add more to it, disregard all this. :P

Anyway, besides that ending, I love all the other changes. Nice work, again!