New ideas for Games

never seen a game with minimalist music that would be interesting.

I have a couple small ideas, even if they aren't very good.

Symmetric Music
Have the contestants write a piece for any keyboard instrument or two of the same monophonic instrument in which one voice is always a reflection of the other voice over a pivotal note. Anybody know what I mean by this? Try centering your attention on any D on the piano, and notice that the keys on either side are symmetrical so that C# corresponds to Eb, B corresponds to F, and so on.

Retrograde-inversion Duet Challenge
Mozart once wrote a piece called "Der Spiegel" for two violins which only consists of only one part. The second violinist plays from a copy of the same part, only physically turning the page upside-down. Have contestants write a piece for two of the same instrument such that the second part is actually the first part read upside-down.

These both would be very challenging for anyone, I'm not sure if things like these have actually been done before (except Der Spiegel).

I have a song somewhere for four players -- two play right-side up, two up-side down. I've only played it with two, though.

Originally Posted by djsell

I have a song somewhere for four players -- two play right-side up, two up-side down. I've only played it with two, though.

Now that's interesting... maybe even utterly fascinating. Maybe.

I've only seen that done by Victor Borga. and he was just being funny. that's kind of..200 something years ahead of his time. interesting.

How about a super piece, that builds on variations? One person writes a theme, the second person writes a simple variation, the third person writes another more complex variation, with another voice, etcetera, and it just keeps building into a complete orchestral work.

Sounds frickin' awesome to me. I will start one tomorrow I think.

I'm really interested in the poem and picture idea presented by Upstart. Someone should start that. I'd gladly participate in a competition about that, and oboeducky your competition sounds quite cool as well..

Originally Posted by hare

I'm really interested in the poem and picture idea presented by Upstart. Someone should start that.

Yeah, so am I. I might actually start that if no one else does, but not for a while...

I just remembered a great little game I've played before. Its very like the arrangement of a tune challenges only you do it in the style of another very famous piece of your choice or composer (for example, off the top of my head, happy birthday in the style of Ravel's "Bolero"). I've played it before, its really funny to see pieces you know really well get messed around with. That would also make a pretty neat game on here I think.

Originally Posted by hare

I just remembered a great little game I've played before. Its very like the arrangement of a tune challenges only you do it in the style of another very famous piece of your choice or composer (for example, off the top of my head, happy birthday in the style of Ravel's "Bolero"). I've played it before, its really funny to see pieces you know really well get messed around with. That would also make a pretty neat game on here I think.

Hmm, yes, me likes. Victor Borge did something EXACTLY like that in one of his skits, he played Mozart, Beethoven, Rachmoninov, and just "snuck in" the happy birthday tune all of the sudden. Quite amusing actually.