Sonata for String Trio

This is my attempt at writing a sonata. It's starts in C and goes to G, D, A, A minor, and back again.

There are three themes that are introduced in the exposition. A main theme, a transitionary theme, and a secondary theme.

It took me about 2 weeks off and on to compose.

What do you guys think?

Thank you.
No longer cuts off

Just a few things. This is not my type of music, so take it all with a grain of salt.

I really miss a cello!!! For this kind of music and this length, I really think it needs more of a lower timbre thrown in.

With just these 3, I think you need to play around more with the dynamics. This goes at the same volume for long periods of time and that can get old quick. If you have ever been to a quartet recital in person, you will see that one of the most important aspects of a trio/quartet, is the dynamics.

Some double stops would also help to give this a little more variety.

You also didn't get the whole piece uploaded. it just sort of stops in mid swing.

Overall, it is good for what it is. Just not my style.

Ron

I would disagree with Ron...the viola as the bass can be wonderful! Just for not TOO long...but it depends on what lines you give each player...

Anyway, this piece was on the monotonous side. There isn't enough variation to maintain interest and, although there were some interesting moments, attention quickly moved away. Dynamic variations might be a great idea for maintaining interest!

And, the score needs attention!

Cheers!

Thank you for your comments.

I will go and add more dynamic variation. Was the melodic/harmonic material also monotonous, or was it mainly dynamics?

Ron, there is no cello because the ensemble I play in is 2 violins and viola.

Thank you again.

Originally Posted by MonkeysAteMe

Thank you for your comments.

I will go and add more dynamic variation. Was the melodic/harmonic material also monotonous, or was it mainly dynamics?

Ron, there is no cello because the ensemble I play in is 2 violins and viola.

Thank you again.

That's cool that you have an ensemble you play with. I just love the cello.

I think you have the makings here of a nice piece, but I think you have worked the piece too much. Cutting it down some would help alot.

Most of the quartets that I have seen have almost constantly changing dynamics. Not only overall volume, but individual as well. In most successfull quartets/trios, the instrument that is the loudest is always changing as well.

I saw The Talich String quartet not long ago and what made them so good was the attention the paid tto the dynamics. If you ever get a chance to see them go. They are great. They are from Czechoslovakia, and if you can get any of their recordings, that would help as well.

Hope this helps, cause I really think this could be a great piece.

Ron

I didn't cut anything, but I added more dynamics and...notes. Hopefully there will be some more variation and change.

(See first post)

This is getting better!! I can still see some more places where more dynamics can help.

Don't ever cut anything out of your music because someone else says it needs it. You alone have the vision you see of what you want your piece to be. I can see all of the dynamics in the score, I don't thinl they are showing up very well in the MP3. Part of that might be because you have the overall volume down very low.

I noticed in bar 58 you have a repeat in there that doesn't refer back to anywhere.

Also I would put the Link back in the first post cause some people will not go searching for it.

And it still just cuts off before the end. My guess is that the file was too big for the host site and they cut it off.

I saw a couple of places where you put some hairpins on a single note. This is very typical of having a note go louder or softer and I would suggest that you use this a little bit nore as well.

Like I said, it is getting better!!!

Ron

It does cut it off still, wierd. I thought reuploading it would fix it, but I guess I'll have to compress the file more.

Yeah, the dynamics are acting funny, a mf sounds the same as ff.

That repeat references back to the beginning.

Thank you so much for the comments.

Added some new stuff, posted an mp3 that doesn't cut off.