Hey,
Too cool - this thing is already off the ground! May have to make seperate folders now to distinguish between melodies, questions, motives, etc.! Either way, As the rules of the game are not yet established - I have posted four seperate files. They are three proposed models of how we could possibly proceed. So, here are a few more tentative rules for the game
Version No. 1 - File No. 1
This Is Simply My 2 Bar Phrase in Reply to Letehn. When a sufficient Number of People have replied to Letehn's original phrase with their own versions, we could then vote for the best one, and then continue along with the melody as it goes. This polling however seems cumbersome and time consuming. It will however, maintain that we are all working on a single melody - and sticking to the rules of the game. It is also undecided as to how many bars each person is to add. The general rule is that each person gets the same amount of bars so as to ensure fairness. However, an interesting alternative would be if the number of bars allowed doubles each time the melody progresses. Therefore from a 2 bar reply, you can then give a 4 bar re-reply, and so it continues multiplying - a scary prospect - but it would allow greater variance and individual flare to differ more widely - which will be where the fun lies most likely
Have a think about it
Version No. 2 - File No. 2
In this version I have prefixed Letehn's Phrase and !Mark!'s reply to my own reply to Letehn's Phrase. This essentially repeats the core phrase over again, but then varies it again. I have also made a small variance to the end of !Mark!'s phrase so as to add greater continuinty. This is a good technique if one is looking at seeing the variety of ways of responding to the same question, in the context of other responses. It also reinforces the central 'theme' or 'motive' or whatever you musicians call it (
) which can give the piece a great deal of structure and logic. There is however the problem of it becoming very bland and over-used, and it may not be suitable to everyone who is trying out this game. Worth considering.
Version No. 3 - File No. 3
In this version it is Letehn's original phrase, !Mark!'s reply following by my own reply to the original phrase, not to !Mark!'s phrase. This allows you to compare the different versions to the original melody but fails in terms of continuity because there is not the said follow on from the reply. It is more of consecutive answers to an original question. Alternatively, you could see it as raising a new question of its own. It really depends upon how well the composer has left the phrase, if it is cadence or can be continued, etc. etc. There should also be the general rule of flexibility with the final note of the 2nd bar - to allow the next composer in line to adapt his style to the final beat of the bar preceeding it - also adding to the continuity. I have changed the last quaver of !Mark!'s phrase for example so the entry into my own phrase isn't too abrupt. This isn't a bad version but as the melody gets longer it may suffer for over-originality and not enough continuity.
Version No. 4 - File No. 4
In this version, I have made a completely seperate reply, which is not a reply to Letehn's original phrase but instead to !Mark!'s reply. It gives somewhat more continuity, but it really does carry away from Letehn's original theme - but it does remain within the key of A Minor. Nevertheless, someone may decide to bring it back to Letehn's original theme, or continue with mine, or return to Mark's - allowing infinite complexity, compositional freedom, and the ability to carry the conversation in the direction which suits you but also suits the pattern of the entire work. This is my preferred model, but I think there should be some general consensus before we proceed with making this game official.
These are my contributions. I'm excited about this new game! I hope you are too. I look forward to seeing everyone have their go and share in our masterpiece lol. All the best,
Pravin
P.S
I already recommend posting in addition to midi files, files from other softwares; pictures of the score; etc. as is being currently done. Midi can reproduce the sound but may mess up the score when being extracted, as I'm sure your all aware. Anyway....carry on....
NB: I think in the interests of giving due deferrence to the composers who contribute to the melodies you should organize your file names as I have done below, or at least make reference to them in your post in the consecutive order that they appear in the music. It will also allow the next person along to distinguish what they would like to reply to from the mass of replies. 
Oct 26 2006, 3:34 PM
Linear Mode
