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Intended to answer this way earlier, but whtv... From the poll, these are the weaknesses which I have observed from my composing and their elaboration: Starting too many works without ability to finish - since most of my works were written years ago Using too much repetition - as many have commented in many music forums and threads including y'all here in YC : ) Getting too bogged down by the details - I pay a lot of attention to articulations ( whether they " make sense " ), contrasts between climax and non-climax areas ( since most of my pieces have clear climaxes ), and also use of chords ( which I dwell over a lot becos I rly wanna the chord to suit and bring out the best in the melody, but also an aspect which I'm generally satisficed with at the end ) Inability to perform/satisfactorily render my own works - some of my pieces I have written the way they should be even though I can't really play them ( exactly ) , and l assume ( after some not-too-rigorous levels of assessment ) are playable by many others. I can play them only in a slower tempo, or having just a few things removed. I wish I composed for other venue(s), genre(s) (share which ones!) - I am still not very confident to bring my pieces up yet. But I hope I will be able to make music more involved in the world. Orchestration - I only publish for solo piano thus far. Hv few others for Satb, piano duet, piano for more than two persons, piano and one or two other instruments/voices and even orchestra but not that much skill, exp and confidence and thus need way more time. My experience in band was also limited, a few years, and specialized in percussion. Also open for future pieces to go beyond solo piano. Blending instruments - as abv Arranging works for bigger ensembles - as abv Arranging (reducing) works for smaller ensembles - as abv Nobody wants to pay me for writing music! - Hv not went this route yet, but am open to it. Always writing for the same instrument(s) - as abv Using much too common rhythms/meters - I only have 2/4, 3/4 and 4/4 for my posted pieces so far, and in very obviously regular and conservative meters. Hv a few that are in less common time but will need more time to prepare. And I am open to composing new pieces in more irregular time and meters. I would and could not give a clear-cut answer as to whether composing is easy or hard - the short answer will be both. The long answer...I'll wait for next time I guess... lol

Any other musical books Y'all would recommend?

This is fantastic feedback!!! I appreciate it greatly. It is being premiered by the Grand Valley State University combined choir, however I will make some edits before selling.

Finally remember one! How can I forget this?! : The opening lied is in F sharp minor but never have one tonic chord on it!!!

Hey @Awsumerguy, I really enjoy the first section in A major when the mood is cheerful. For me even if you write this in variation form, you can add more contrasts in timbre and colour which I think it should be easier to do than a so,o piece or a chamber work! You haven’t introduced the theme in brass, probably a variation in horn would be great! Also make sure to include a contrasting section! A flirting minor section in F sharp minor would be great like the waltz in Tchaikovsky‘s Fifth Symphony! Probably you can look into @David_DLM’s waltzes, he writes some great ones! Thx for sharing! Henry

Hey @Layne, I think the parallel fifths and the opening theme do have some medieval favour! Probably you can introduce the viols too. The zither in around 1:20 is great too. I think you can develop the parallel organum idea to make it more medieval! The Lydian B natural at the end is great, probably you can use more of that! Thx for sharing! Henry