February 5, 200620 yr This will be my first composition. I am new at this, (and 15) but I expect a thorough critique. Please. The concept behind the piece is Dr. Slyfox. An orginal character I made. He goes through three stages: Obsession, Seduction, Victory. This is to be played with a bass marimba, and marimba. I can't get obsessions uploaded onto a site, but I have the other two. Victory http://media.putfile.com/Dr-Slyfox-Pride Seduction http://media.putfile.com/Seduction75 Here are the .mus files. (3=Obsessions 2=Seduction 1 = Victory) Finale_2006____Of_Dreams_And_Memories.pdfchromatic_study.midMelody_and_Silence.mid Any comments are greatly appreciated. Expressions3.MUS Expressions2.MUS Expressions.MUS
February 6, 200620 yr Hi, I just listened to your pieces and here's what I feel at the moment. First of all I think it's good you have 3 movements which make sense and fit together. I liked some rythmical ideas you present and how the two marimbas have a dialogue with each other. You present a distinct idea, theme in each movement and I like them .. but somehow I think it's missing something. After listening to all three movements twice, I can perhaps remember the theme from the first movement but nothing else ... and somehow it's not inviting to listen to it 3rd time. Perhaps it's tempo you use, it is kind of slow and monotonus, harmonies are a bit weak to me ... it's basically played with 2 mallets on each marimba, except that at some point in the bass marimba you play some chords, where you need 3 mallets. Perhaps you should just stick to only 2 mallets in each, or extend the bass marimba part and make the full use of 4 mallets, but it's good to decide on something. I once played a Toccata for solo marimba, written for only 2 mallets, second movement was 4 mallets and 3rd again 2 mallets. It was a really cool piece, atonal but very cool to play. Even though the texture of it was very simple, only 2 malets it was very interesting, with changing tempos, harmonies etc. I somehow miss that in your piece. In general I think the piece has its good sides and a bit worse ones. Its form is a plus, presentation of themes, the dialogue you create with both marimbas ... but it's all going kinda slow and perhaps a bit too monotonus. But perhaps if you performed it for real, you could play with it and create some good emotions and the whole thing would gain some substance. Anyway, keep up the good work. Best regards, Misiu
February 9, 200620 yr Author First off, thanks for the reply. A lot. And instead of sticking to two mallets for the bass marimba I might just add 3 to 4 note chords through out the whole piece. I really like the chords in the second movement and I want to keep them. I tried not to create too much harmony, but I realize now that I ddn't make enough. Thanks for the comments though, I really appreciate them. I will also speed up the tempos. I just want to make it fast enough to where it's intresting, but realistic enough to play. Anyone else?
