TURTLE

Hey everybody, it's been a long time since I posted.

Here's a piece I composed on GarageBand on the computer at my high school.

1. Techniques used
--Beat creation, instrumentation
2. How long it took to compose the piece
--A good 2 hours
3. Structure of your piece
--The first part builds gradually, layering part upon part until it reaches the first climax. Then the instruments drop out into a more freely-flowing middle section, which then leads into the climax/chorus again.
4. Obstacles when composing
--As always, finishing it. But it wasn't as hard with this one as with other times.
5. Summary of overall piece
--A calming, driving, transcendant fantasy (I hope!! )

Turtle 70 67 - Putfile.com

I'm assuming you used the standard Garage Band sounds? Those are not bad sounds, the problem with programs like that FLStudio is though they come with good preset samples to use, often so many use them that it "generifies" the sound. This doesn't really have that feel though, so good job on that.

The piece is having trouble keeping my interest, though I have been typing. Ah! I'm about a fifth the way through right now. The new atmospheric stuff came in, along with what sounds like a piano. It's hard to tell, my mice are running in their wheel, so I can't hear very well. That came in right at the right time, when I was starting to lose focus. I would suggest considering adding in a little bit before that, to kind of help lead into that. Although if you're not looking for that thats fine too.

I'm at the breakdown section right now. It definitely keeps its frantic feel, while being a bit more open. I like the prominent guitar (is it guitar? It sounds like a clean guitar with a british preamp?) line.

Okay, cool, now we're at the return of the first climax, I believe. I like how all of a sudden we have harmonic movement. That's cool. I could use maybe one more timbral difference, maybe in the melody line. Certainly what you have works, either way.

Just when I was about to see it's getting redundant, the melody started bending up and down. Good move with that. Also good move not building into it, I don't think that would be necessary, as it's not a new section or anything.

All in all, I think the pacing of this piece works quite well. I think there might be a few times you can spice things up, maybe bring the piano back at the end or something.
I don't know. Those are all just suggestions. Your piece would not be bad off if you left it the way it is. I certainly enjoyed listening to it, and it's nice to see someone create good music with standard sounds.

Thanks!

Thank you SO SO SO much for taking the time to write such a detailed reply. It really helps me out and it's exciting to read too.

It's kind of funny, because what you were feeling about the pacing was exactly what I wanted listeners to feel, so it's good to know that I mostly succeeded with that.

Also, the guitar-like sound was actually an organ sound to which I applied heavy distortion, filter and reverb, so it sort of sounded like a guitar, but with much more sustain movement.

It reminds me of the 80's, which isn't necessarily a good thing...
I am also having a bit of trouble tryin' to remain interested : /
Sorry but I aint a huge fan.

Though on the technical side of things you've done a decent job producing it, I can't really fault anything on that side of things.

That's cool if you're not a fan of it. I know it's definitely not an "interesting" song, it's more meant to wash over you. Thanks for the comment!

It's pretty nice to listen to it. It's a great ambiental melody. It's great to have it in the background wile you work.