Elpis - my first composition (WiP)

Hi guys

This is my first piece, and its still a work in progress, but I would appreciate some feedback of any kind. Feel free to criticize, cause I'm a big boy and I really need to improve.

I don't have an audience yet, so it might go into some computer game, if someone wants it. When its done, that is.

Anyway, no further delays, here it is:

Elpis.mp3

Elpis.pdf

P.S. Some triplets and other quick notes get messed up when I pass this through Finale (horn and taiko drums), but it's not everywhere, and one can still read the score's outlines.

Hi guys

This is my first piece, and its still a work in progress, but I would appreciate some feedback of any kind. Feel free to criticize, cause I'm a big boy and I really need to improve.

I don't have an audience yet, so it might go into some computer game, if someone wants it. When its done, that is.

Anyway, no further delays, here it is:

Elpis.mp3

Elpis.pdf

P.S. Some triplets and other quick notes get messed up when I pass this through Finale (horn and taiko drums), but it's not everywhere, and one can still read the score's outlines.

OK. I like it, but there is something odd about the notes I hear and the notes I see. That bass part, for example sounds higher than is written in the score. Also, I hear instruments not actually in the score - cymbals?

I would suggest you find out how a score is layed out i.e. instrument order. In your case, you have instruments which should be in a proper order but they are all over the place. Woodwind comes first and strings last, for example.

I would say it's good for a first attempt and would have liked to have heard more noise from the sustained strings as they were somewhat lost in the piece.

Am I right in thinking this piece has a Eastern European feel to it? Maybe a folk song-like melody from one of the countries bordering Russia?

Thanks for the constructive (and positive) feedback. :)

OK. I like it, but there is something odd about the notes I hear and the notes I see. That bass part, for example sounds higher than is written in the score. Also, I hear instruments not actually in the score - cymbals?

It's a gong actually, and that's the only one I did not put in the score, because it would mean one system per page, instead of two, and there are only two notes for that gong, so for a quick review I chose to keep it out. Also, I use Sonar to compose and it is not notation oriented. I exported the whole thing to Midi and tweaked it a bit on Finale just so you guys here would review it.

I would suggest you find out how a score is layed out i.e. instrument order. In your case, you have instruments which should be in a proper order but they are all over the place. Woodwind comes first and strings last, for example.

Nice advice, I will definitely follow it in my next pieces. Yes, even in Sonar.:)

I would say it's good for a first attempt and would have liked to have heard more noise from the sustained strings as they were somewhat lost in the piece.

I've tried some counterpoint on those violins (like I did on the cello), but I didn't like it. But then again, you aren't asking for counterpoint, are you? Perhaps taking a small motif and just rhythmically repeat it while making basically the same harmony would add some more impact to the strings.

I'll look into it.

Am I right in thinking this piece has a Eastern European feel to it? Maybe a folk song-like melody from one of the countries bordering Russia?

Perhaps you are right, you would know better. I for one am Portuguese and have had no contact with eastern european folk music. I wanted something to portray perhaps the eve of a battle so I just doodled something on the keyboard (flute sound) until I got something I liked. Then I added some bass. Then I changed the flute. Then I changed the bass line again. Then I took a piece of paper and wrote down the chords that would fit it. Then proceeded to add the second flute theme and all the other instruments just fell in place.

The eve of a battle sounds like a very appropriate idea for this.

I enjoyed it. The exposition is perhaps a little lengthy.

But overall, it was interesting and a nice listen, especially for your first composition!