paloalto on 31/1/2007 at 23:30

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I've started to write music and would like some feedback.The beginning isn't done.I would ask that you listen to it twice as it is kind of jarring without building up the first themes.
Thank you for your help.

(http://www.esnips.com/doc/e211d937-7d8d-49f2-8bd6-4bb3fe38393e/arapturrequieum)

Thief13x on 1/2/2007 at 00:28

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I like it, not really a classical music fan though, but of classical music this is definatly a go for me.

Fingernail on 1/2/2007 at 20:18

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yes harmonically it is very limited. Not knowing your musical background or exactly what you're trying to do though makes this difficult, and this forum isn't the best place for a theory lesson.

What's your aim exactly? It doesn't sound like anything much in particular at the moment, and I think the main problem is the harmony. Use different chords, start with I, IV and V which are the most "powerful" and build from there.

I can't open your mus file at the moment.

It might be best to compose for one or two instruments - piano is probably a good bet - before starting on larger ensembles. I used to go into Sibelius and create the hugest orchestras and get completely stuck, in my youth.

These days I just pick up a guitar and go from there, but it usually results in songs rather than "pieces".

Stitch on 2/2/2007 at 04:05

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Well that was a buzzing hive of random strings in search of a melody. I can't imagine this is how it's supposed to sound.

User123abc on 2/2/2007 at 05:15

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You know, there's only so much that can be said without you or us really knowing their shit inside out.

It sounds like you were going for a baroque feel, with the cyclical rhythms, rapidly changing focus in voices, and seeming counterpoint. In other words, basically assured musical suicide at this point - to put it bluntly.

My biggest criticism - the odd choice of rhythms. The beginning is good, and at moments builds up with some generally effective interplay, but then just melts into a "buzzing hive" :) . That's measure 30 I'm thinking of, to be specific. At other points, the different voices don't compliment each other nearly as well - I don't know, it sounds a bit like uneven drops of water if that's what you were going for with the rapture theme. And it's hard to say without knowing what you were going for, but the accelerando isn't really working.

In terms of harmonics, basically what's been said already. Though there are a lot of different melodies floating around, the whole itself is static (no chord change). Maybe a lot of it has to do with the interplay between rhythm and harmony - you have a lot going on in terms of ryhthm, which gives a sense of tension. But without any harmonic development and especially resolution to complement it, it's unsatisfying.

I think you have a good aesthetic sense (it seems like you avoided quite a few cliches, now that I think of it), and the melodies are very pleasant - but don't aim so high! Simplify where possible, and try to draw out the different themes you have before you move on to the next one. You could definitely cut some instruments out.

I'd really recommend dissecting some Bach, if you haven't already done so.