musicwiz256

If you mean the part after the intro (which is regular 4/4) then yes; I wrote it as a 6/4 (same thing!), subdivided into a group of 4 beats and a group of 2 beats. I really love that rhythmic pattern for some reason. Good Ears - and a fitting user name! P

Thanks for the suggestions Euler. NWC sucks for trying to do slurs; I remember trying a couple (although I don't remember if they were in the sections you recommended), but I have to admit, I hadn't thought about the articulation of the piece in depth. That's definitely something I will keep in mind for the future.

:) I had hoped this one didn't so much. I find myself always coming up with ideas that sound like they came from the news. Oh well...!

If you want to check out a good improviser on here, look for Derek's piano improvs.

Unfortunately, I agree with most of the other posts here that a little more thematic consistency would be helpful to tie this together. Also, try fleshing out your chords with more left hand movement; this whole piece sounds like right hand. You have a good right hand improvisational style, and you create an atmosphere excellently with it. I'm a beginner improviser as well, and believe me, there is nothing wrong with expanding your improvisational horizons by critiquing each improvisation. But, as its improv, don't feel disheartened or go back and do it again. Try some of everyone's suggestions in your next Fantasy, but don't discredit what you have done here. It's good; you can only get better. Cheers, P

Much of your new material is better than the original! Your first idea in the minor key was a nice twist; I think you should expand on that one. The 3/4 theme would also be a nice contrast to use as a B theme, and its memorable. Your section of growing intensity makes good use of the pedal point C to build up tension; overall, I think you used your thematic material to better effect in the new stuff. On the more critical side, I feel that in the original bar 17 to the end of the original material lacks direction and recognizable thematic development. The time signature changes and sixteenth notes and triplets just don't seem to flow and fit it for some reason. Consider rewriting it with your new ideas (which I assume you are planning to incorporate, rather than keeping them tacked on at the end.) I hope that didn't sound too critical because it wasn't meant to be. Overall your new material helps this piece to leagues above the original. Once you've outlined the basic form, consider making it a little more technically difficult. Cheers, P

I liked how, despite that it was improvised, there was thematic material that returned, and a good sense of direction built up with it. I'm also continually amazed at the harmonic vocabulary in your improvisation. Short and sweet.

I am currently trying to decide whether or not to rewrite the piece, or write another one that's been brewing in my head along similar lines for some time (possibly a piano quartet, which if all you pianists have never tried you definitely should; it's FUN!) If I do rewrite it, there will probably be an extended return to the A section, and I'll definitely see if I can work in your (Johann's) suggestion for a more decisive ending.

Again, I'd like to thank you all for your feedback. Very insightful. I'll post some more stuff soon.

Thanks for that! Very helpful

Wow. I wish I could improvise like that (referring to the romantic one). Any good tips?

I really liked the slow section with the piano chords and the violin melody (second movement?) It really had a lot of character, and a sustained emotion throughout. I felt that in the first movement this emotional consistency was a little bit harder to find, although that doesn't mean that musically it wasn't interesting. I loved the opening and the "quirky" ending of that movement. More obvious phrase lengths might help this consistency, although it might just be the midi playback (I wasn't looking at the score.) which obviously can't do that. Overall, I'd love to hear it with real instruments! And I totally get what you mean about not using chord progressions as much; banging away at the piano totally rocks way more.

Thanks. I'll be sure to listen to some of your stuff when I get the chance

Well, this is my first post ever, so let's see what you all think. I wrote this piece for a high school music class, and was thus on slightly tight timelines (which, of course, I didn't quite make). As such, I threw in the repeat of the A section, rather than writing a more extended recap of it. Then I just got used to it, so never bothered rewriting. I was trying to depict the hectic pace of life in the city, contrasted with a brief period of relaxation (coming home in the evening to family?), and was at the time quite inspired by Steve Reich's repetitive rhythmic/melodic structures. Anyway, hope you all enjoy. For an audio recording of a midi playback, visit my myspace www.myspace.com/patrickmurraymusic. I've attached the NWC file. Cheers, Pat Murray final composition.nwc