Film-like theme but nowhere to go?!

Hey guys,

I'm in the need of major advice.

I can improv for hours on piano, I come up with melodies, and I think I'm a fair enough orchestrator. My problem is that I don't know what makes a... "piece." I feel like there's some grand rule I'm not getting.

Does anyone have any advice for a newbie who knows how to go but not where to go?

Here's just an example of short theme of mine I like, but I have NO idea how I would format a piece around it. A sections, B sections, codas... I'm clueless.

epicwestern.WAV

Thanks, and ANY advice will be GREATLY appreciated. :toothygrin:

Chris

a score or even a midi file would go a LONG way to getting people to help you, and besides, 19 sec. isn't exactly much to go on. I'd love to help you, but without perfent pitch, I'm in the dark.

Ryan check out the lessons section, I'm sure other composers lessons will have something for this kind of questions.

Some suggestions....

1 Vary your instrumentation on the second repetition of the motif, it helps to break monotony. The greatest tool you have to keeping a listener is variety, plus if you ever record with an orchestra, you won't have very many unhappy people =]

2 As for how to continue, I'd say a -subdued, highwind & highstring with harmonic support- variation on the main theme would work well. At least, that's how I'd continue it. But its tough to say without knowing what you're visualizing while writing. Go with what you feel.

Hey guys,

Thanks for the advice. I've been working on this motif for a while and it's just not working for me... I think I got so involved in this one idea what my mind became closed to all other possibilities.

I decided to (temporarily) ditch this project and miraculously, a new MELODY (not motif) popped into my head so I'm now working on that.

Alex, your advice was very helpful---I'll keep it in mind.

Chris

So to get this straight; you 'ditch' an uncompleted piece because something 'popped' into your head :pinch: