Something with Noises

Hey there.

I did something, but I don't know what to call it. It's in very obviously separate parts, so I think it'd be a good idea to post them one by one. (?) I suppose, if the feedback is very negative, I may not have to.

1. Techniques used

As with everything else I do, not a whole lot, I think... I've got an issue with that, I guess. Things sound sort of stagnant.

2. How long it took to compose the piece

This part didn't take long, maybe a couple hours in total.

3. Structure of your piece

I think it's just a repetition... Oboe and violins, then they repeat with a piccolo playing along, and then they all repeat with the flutes, violas and timpani playing as well.

4. Obstacles when composing

Just my lack of knowledge, I guess.

5. Summary of overall piece

It's the build-up into what I think might just be another build-up...

MP3

Welcome to YC. As far as it goes , it is a good start. For future reference though, unfinished pieces go in writer's block. A lot of people here will not comment without a score, so post 'em if you got 'em (or at least a midi).

Thank you, I'll be sure to post a score. (Oh, and it is finished, I just figured there's no sense in posting the whole thing if it's all really bad.)

noises.MUS

It can't be that bad. Why don't you post it and some peeps here can give you some ideas?

Alright, if you think that'd be a good idea. It's in five different scores (just .MUS files) and I did some editing in Audacity after it was done, so it won't be exactly the same. Give me a bit to clean up the scores and I'll post it as a whole.

I'm not sure exactly what form you were hoping to make this piece, so I'll keep my comments as broad as possible.

When I first started listen, I thought the two violins and the oboe solo had a quiet tenderness to them. (Were you going for solo violins or violin sections?) But I kept waiting for something new to happen, and it never did. I understand you probably just wrote this as a stub for right now, which is fine, but from what I listened to so far led me to believe that there was nowhere to go. Variation and repetition of a single, short theme is a common technique, but the repetitions must bring something new and exciting. If you do plan to extend this theme, think about ways to vary the melody or harmony a little and consider introducing another theme which can play off the first. Perhaps you could do a theme in the woodwinds echoed by the strings, or vice versa. Which brings me to your orchestration. You can certainly start with scant orchestration, which can be very beautiful, but you need to take full advantage of the harmonic possibilities presented by your instruments. The harmonies seemed thin and flat. Don't be afraid to lay on some good old fashioned homophony. Also, on a technical note, the timpani is playing awfully low. I'm not even sure a standard timpani set could play that low. Try bringing it up an octave.

I will say that I did like the theme, though. Don't abandon it, and do keep composing.