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March of the 41st Infantry Division.


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#1
Franzman

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This is a march I wrote just to try a radically unfamiliar style. It isn't a very long piece, it's just an experiment to see if I could capture the sound of those early 20th century marches. I wrote this in a sequencer and therefore I don't have any score. I appreciate all comments. :)
March of the 41st Infantry Division.

#2
roy

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Not being an expert myself I think you captured the sound pretty well. Very common-sounding marchband music, and since that was your aim: good job. I'm not quite sure how I feel about the modulation at 0:35... On the one hand it gives the piece a bit more depth, but on the other hand I felt it disrupted the flow of the piece, especially since it isn't that long.

#3
impresario

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Hey, I love how well you captured the essence of the march! However, I didn't seem to her any trumpet, and that's an essential part to the march! Were they playing with the winds in the first melody? Or do they come in with that (extremely) high part at the end of the melody. Anyways, great melodies, I would definitely expand on this! I really loved the tuba/triangle combo at the end!

#4
Franzman

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Perhaps I mixed it poorly because there is a trumpet together with a flute and bassoon playing the melody line with a piccolo trumpet entering with the extremely high part at the end of the line. It blended too well it seems ;)

#5
impresario

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Well the piccolo trumpet would make sense, it didn't even occur to me that you would've used one. Now I'm just wondering why you've included the bassoon? It seems like odd orchestration.
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#6
Franzman

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I like the sound ;)

#7
Franzman

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#8
mikable

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There are usually bassoon parts in marches - but usually follow the euphonium/tenor sax countermelody. Sounds bouncy. Range on the bugle-esque line is pretty high. Overall the mix sounds really thin and one dimensional - ie, no dynamics and rather predictable format. Doesn't really include a trio section, which is very important for marches. And what type of march are you going for British or American? It makes a big difference.

#9
mikable

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There are usually bassoon parts in marches - but usually follow the euphonium/tenor sax countermelody. Sounds bouncy. Range on the bugle-esque line is pretty high. Overall the mix sounds really thin and one dimensional - ie, no dynamics and rather predictable format. Doesn't really include a trio section, which is very important for marches. And what type of march are you going for British or American? It makes a big difference.

#10
Seb

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Don't know if you are interested, but bassoons can't march. (Like play and walk ;) ) as they are dangerous. It's becasue they are double-reed. So the same goes for Oboe. So, if should be a concert march if they play a vital role. Again, if you are interested (I'm not sure about international military bands) Her Majesty's military bands use the double reed players to play percussion when marching. From a compositional perspective I think the main melody is superb, but the opening is to be desired. Listen to some Sousa marches on naxos or spotify, they are simply cracking. People will only listen to the beginning and end of a piece. (Especially if they are not musical) so that is where you should make an explosion of music happen. Also, with marches it tends to be in ternary form (ABA). The 'B' section would be a Trio which is usually a break from the intense main theme.





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