Concerto for Harp and Koto.

just because the piece has zero performance value doesn't make the composition, the writing that goes into it, null and void...anything you can write is good practice

I wouldn't say anything.

Thoughtless music does not equal good practice. Using bad habits and techniques does not equal good practice.

I don't want to make this a debate, but I have to side with Mr Lex. The piece has met unreasonably sharp criticism, especially from Kije and Jujimufu.

Kije-you don't even address the music itself; rather, you just state how you refuse to listen to it. That's fine if you don't want to listen to it, but I don't exactly go around posting and saying that I won't listen to someone's piece. Even so, what you criticised was already covered by two previous posters, so your post really has no value, to be honest.

Jujimufu-Again, you don't address the music itself. And I think it's rather naive to say that you "can't bother to listen to a piece by a composer who hasn't bothered doing these least things to write properly for the instruments."
-In a recent upload of your's (Piano Concertino - Capriccio for the Young Jazzist), Qccowboy points out that you wrote improperly for the flutes (below their range). Clearly, that's something that you should've learned through research, if you didn't know how to write for the instrument.
I'm not saying that you shouldn't write for flutes now, but not only are you being a hypocrite, you are being too critical and not giving the composer the benefit of the doubt.

But as for the music, I'll have to agree with DOFTS. I think your piece just need more thought put into it, based on your solo instruments. Like D. says, it just sounds like anorchestra piece with added harp and koto. Also, do you have any other movements completed yet? And what is the overall idea of the whole concerto: is it a showpiece, or tone painting, etc. (both are fine)?

This piece may not have much practical value, but I would just like to say that for a composer who seems someone unsure of yourself, you have written a pretty sound piece here with some nice moments. I think the opening theme (for example) is quite attractive.

Just adding some positive energy to this thread.

Originally Posted by DOFTS

I wouldn't say anything.

Thoughtless music does not equal good practice. Using bad habits and techniques does not equal good practice.

that's a bunch of academic bullshit.

essentially he's writing for his preferred playback sound, which is no different than writing for a any other synthesized one, be it a violin, glass harmonica, saw synth, etc. there's no need for such a pessimist attacks on someone's private art, if he wants to write for himself only so be it.

Originally Posted by Mr Lex.

hey mdharp
sorry if that was a bit snappy, just not in the best mood that day I think.
Thanks for those words, just the thing I needed at this time

Lex

P.S. welcome to YC

Hi Mr Lex. I think you had some right to be snappy. I was more concerned with the lack of human kindness & thought in a few of the responses you had to your piece.
They could take a minute to settle down & think before responding from a neurotic knee jerk reaction.
Once again, its most important that we keep on creating & inspiring, not dragging each other down. Keep me informed of any updates, new pieces etc.
Good luck !!

I would like to thank all those that have commented, I was starting to fear that too many people on this site were too interested in the extreme academic requirements of writing and not so interested in the joy of just creating music because you want to. I admit its not that good, I never expected to be, its just what I felt at the time.

I have read through all remarks, comments, advice etc... and taken in the things said about the composition that I'd never noticed before, probably because it was my own work.
I have started to change a few things both with this movement and the others.

Cheers,
Lex.

Originally Posted by Stevemc90

that's a bunch of academic bullshit.

essentially he's writing for his preferred playback sound, which is no different than writing for a any other synthesized one, be it a violin, glass harmonica, saw synth, etc. there's no need for such a pessimist attacks on someone's private art, if he wants to write for himself only so be it.

If he is writing for himself, why post it on a forum to be critically reviewed? I take the assumption that he wants to improve his works, he wants to become better to one aspect of being a better is learning. Your attitude is not helpful.

not reflective of my attitude, it's a frank statement...for his music to be shot down the way it has without being listened to, that's an uneeded attitude. if he doesn't care for his orchestration you can at least judge it as notes written on a staff

I understand why they choose not to listen to it. I don't agree why they decided to make a little rant about it though.

This is the way I see it:

If he really wanted to compose serious music, he would have taken time to learn about the instruments. Writing nonchalant and expecting people here to listen to it on a purely musical level is not going to happen. It's the nature of this site. There are many aspects to writing music, and one of them is knowing how to use your instruments properly. While I listen to his piece (before I read his reviews), I knew he had no idea how to use ANY of his instruments. He would, undoubtedly, improve if he knew how to his tools to their potential.

I can agree that the rant presented by the first two reviewers was lame and unneeded, but nevertheless they are correct. I just wish they would have also commented on other aspects too.

I know he was mostly experimenting with his program, but it doesn't justify sloppy habits. He obviously thought he made something worth listening to, or he wouldn't have posted it. If he thought otherwise, he purposely wasted our time.