A Variety of Music [first music post :)]

Hey guys,

this is my first musical track(s) post, im happy to finally share with the world some tracks...

these were all composed when i was 15-16 years old, and since then i haven't really done anything (4 years!!!). I'm hoping to get back into a bit more now though, something seems to have changed and I have got more interested in music as a hobby again.

So, please critique and see what you think, it'll be a good baseline for me to go from.

A little bit about the pieces:

Strung Along - this was a piece i tried to do in the baroque style for a string quartet. Personally i feel there isn't enough variation in that it doesn't explore enough harmonies or keys.

Study in A Minor - A duet for piano and violin. Originally composed for my GCSE, i was really into my A minor chords back then! haha.

My Angel - This is a midi track, but i think i'm quite pleased with this, originally inspired by bands like Nightwish and Stratovarius, i tried to compose something like symphonic power metal, obviously the midi interpretation means it lacks strength (the guitars are awful!) and i think the strings / choir bridge in the middle is a bit weak but see what you think.

The Lions Charge - My first attempt at a large ensemble piece, don't be put off by all the dissonance in the start, its intentional to create a mood of "the bad guys", i guess, before the heroes charge in to save the day.

The Lions Reflection - A more sober piece, think about the price of war, and those whose comrades have fallen. Is it all worth it?

Rise to Nothing - Tension building piece, i couldn't quite create the dramatic finish so i bottled out and left it with an anticlimax. heh.

Gensokyo Village - Imagine an idyllic japanese village, the air is crisp and clear.

SoundClick artist: Qichao Zhao - page with MP3 music downloads

Hope you enjoy listening! Any feedback will be most appreciated. But please bear in mind these are pretty old compositions which were done when i was 15-16.

I listened to the "Lion's Charge"; personally, I think the opening chords are pretty heroic! Just saying.

Also, it is a little bit short...have you considered lengthening it? As it stands it's a very short overture. More like a fanfare, actually.

It's a pretty nice piece, for fifteen! If I had a score I'd be able to look at the more technical things, like orchestration/dynamics...but as I hear it, it's pretty good. A little overuse in brass, but otherwise quite good.

Not bad :-)

I listened to the "Lion's Charge"; personally, I think the opening chords are pretty heroic! Just saying.

Also, it is a little bit short...have you considered lengthening it? As it stands it's a very short overture. More like a fanfare, actually.

It's a pretty nice piece, for fifteen! If I had a score I'd be able to look at the more technical things, like orchestration/dynamics...but as I hear it, it's pretty good. A little overuse in brass, but otherwise quite good.

Each to their own, hehe. I know its quite short, but I don't think i'll lengthen it, i think the old stuff can stand as it is, and then i can go forward to work on new stuff.

I do have the sheet music but its really messy as i was writing it only for the ear, its never going to be performed right? hehe. I don't have time to sort through it at the moment as exams soon but i sort out and upload the sheets after they're done (a week from now).

glad you liked it!

Not bad :-)

thanks! but care to elaborate? haha.

Each to their own, hehe. I know its quite short, but I don't think i'll lengthen it, i think the old stuff can stand as it is, and then i can go forward to work on new stuff.

I do have the sheet music but its really messy as i was writing it only for the ear, its never going to be performed right? hehe. I don't have time to sort through it at the moment as exams soon but i sort out and upload the sheets after they're done (a week from now).

glad you liked it!

thanks! but care to elaborate? haha.

Um lemme get back to you more fully another time. Think you have writing talent, but need to work on production, think you need to spend some time getting to grips with a decent production tool like Cubase/Logic etc... When I hear synth orchestral sounds without any production magic I just think they can sound a bit plasticy....sorry I hope that doesn't sound harsh. It's good stuff :-) I'm just shallow :-p

Um lemme get back to you more fully another time. Think you have writing talent, but need to work on production, think you need to spend some time getting to grips with a decent production tool like Cubase/Logic etc... When I hear synth orchestral sounds without any production magic I just think they can sound a bit plasticy....sorry I hope that doesn't sound harsh. It's good stuff :-) I'm just shallow :-p

thanks for the compliment. haha. when recording this i literally just plugged sibelius into EWQL and played it straight back and recorded...i dont really have a clue about music production at all.

Hey Q!

I'm just returning the commenting favour for you since you were nice enough to take a look at one of my pieces. :happy:

I listened through these and they're quite solid, writing-wise. I'm not going to bother critiquing your production skills since I understand that you are still working on developing them (I can help you with advice separately if you need, but I won't bother extending this critique with that).

Musically I think you have a grasp of writing incidental music, but I would have to see how you write in a given context to be able to really judge the merits of your music. Technically your writing is adept, but not particularly individual yet....you need to keep writing a lot to help develop some manner of stylistic quirk, instrumentation, or development technique that will set your music apart from the pack of competitors out there. If you're looking to make a living at it, that is.

What I liked was the presence of some genre variety. Not much, but at least with My Angel you showed some branching off into different musical styles. As a modern incidental music composer, that's basically vital....you need to be extremely flexible, and work quickly.

Nice work, in any case, though I don't really care about it since you said it was from when you were younger — show us what you sound like NOW. :)

Hiya Q.

I'm Kyle and I am a HHUUUGGEE Nightwish fan! That song My Angel was interesting, of course due to the lack of real sound. It sounded weak, but musically good. As marius mentioned above, I would love to here some of your current stuff, if you have any. Maybe Ill post some of my currents pieces to let you listen.

I like your style, lemme hear more! :)

Marius,

thanks for the lovely comments. As for production skills, i don't really know where to start with this, i mean, do you have any good resources for tutorials or something? I literally have zero knowledge apart from plug the sound samples in and play them...hehe.

I start exams err...tomorrow, but after they're all done you'll definately hear some new compositions :).

Kyle,

Always happy to meet another nightwish fan, really gutted they aren't touring in the UK this year, i had chance to get tix and see them when Tarja was still around but didn't go, so gutted!!!

Thanks for the compliments! Like i said to Marius, as soon as exams are done i'll be composing some more :).

Do post some of your own music up, i'd love to have a listen! (especially if its also nightwish inspired! haha)