Marching song (???) in E minor...

Ok, this started out as some kind of march song, but then I added an intro and a second section with the melody in the left hand which is not really a march at all. So I don't really know what to call this song - maybe a prelude of some sort?? Anyhow, I like the 2nd section better than the march part I think. Eventually, when I learn to orchestrate properly I might like to use this theme with different instruments. eg- where the melody is in the bass I might use an oboe or clarinet, with short-bowed strings in the treble. If you can, listen to the mp3 - it gives a better idea of the dynamics of this piece (although it is still just a rendering of the MIDI data). Comments welcome (including negative ones).

march/prelude in E Minor - MP3

I think it was a decent piece, with good development, although some parts like approx. 1:35-1:40 seems a bit clichéd for me (the chord progression near the climax, before the recap to the opening part) . The compositional skills are thorough and there, but I think you should try for more daring, different chord progressions?

It's not really a march I think, although you can imagine it as so. The initial impression I got a piece in a more popular style. Maybe making it a prelude could be better, but I tend to think that it could stand on its own.

Overall I liked the piece in the sense that it demonstrates good compositional skills, although perhaps there should be more originality.

hey finrod!
Imo, this is quite a nice piece, but I do think u have some chords that are very dissonant? =P (some augmented chords here and there)

Oh and the accompaniment sounds er, very pop-ish. Also, it is not really a march.. more like a lone journey of sorts. Reminiscent of jewish er... melodies.

on the whole, its a great piece of work!

Has a somewhat poppy flavor, I could see this being an Alicia Keys tune or something. But hey, that's not a bad thing. I really enjoyed the part at 00:52, sounded, pretty hardcore can't lie. I liked the dissonance, could tell it was there, but it wasn't overdone, and sounds like an overall pretty good piece of work.

Thanks for the comments guys... I agree 1:35-1:40 is a bit cliched, but I have not been composing for that long yet, so I have to maybe use a few cliches to get by. IMO the part with the melody in the bassline is a bit more original than what I usually write though.

David - I am not sure what to think about your comments about dissonance... I deliberately tried to add a bit of dissonance and chromaticism into the piece because I though it maybe sounded too "nice" or not colorful enough. Actually I think this piece is nowhere near as chromatic or dissonant as many pieces posted in the piano forum - it is actually quite melodic and sticks to basic chords mostly. And I have seen that you have commented on other people's works and said that their work is too dissonant as well, so not really sure what to think here.
Hmmmm, Jewish melodies? I don't think I have ever heard any - will have to track some down to make a comparison. Can't say I am that excited though - because IMO Jewish people in general have pretty bad taste when it comes to art and culture (apart from producing a few talented performers such as Horiwitz, etc.)

C.Rocker - "hardcore" at 0:52?? Well I am glad you enjoyed it but honestly it is not that complex - just a few loud intervals and rhythms based around E minor. Was just trying to have some contrast before moving into the next section. If you want to see something really hardcore, then listen to works by Liszt or Chopin - but if I am able to impress you with these few bars then hopefully I can do the same for other people in different pieces.

Oh....

Im a sucker for correct note consonance, thats why I dont really like reviewing cos many out there like to add dissonances to the point that it sounds simply erm. wrong. If you wanted it to sound more colorful u could have added counterpoint, as a third voice?
By dissonance i usually mean unresolved dissonances. Resolved ones are okay.

jewish melodies? Helvatika, SOme hymns they sing yeah. the basic contour. =) no lol i wonder where did u get that perspective from.

=) anyway I really enjoyed ur work yeah.