CrissCross minimalist

This is the beginning of what might become a minimalist trio - well, I might change the instruments but for now they are acoustic guitar, harp and bass. I am thinking that a section with a more rapid tempo will come next.

It is based on a 6 note scale.

The mp3 is here

Comments - push on or try something else!?

One thing I would say is lengthen the piece. For a trio, having all three instruments enter within the first 8 bars at a 100bpm tempo -- even with the dynamics changes -- doesn't provide the building of tension through repetition.

You lack articulations -- something that could well support a piece over a longer period of time. The articulations are important because you have three relatively similar instruments (all string, all plucked, all covering each other's registers) -- you need something to maintain interest.

And I'd truly suggest against simple up and down scalar lines. Without a guiding principle to necessitate those overly simple lines, one easily is bored. Look at incorporating melodic ideas, instead of simple scales.

I think, if you want to work with minimalist music, you really need to look at what the music means, not just simply ||:note-note-note-note:||. Take a look at how the rhythms overlap. Take a look at the different possible chords that come from the overlaps in the rhythms. See how you can subtly change things over time...

That's where the real beauty of minimalism comes out -- when you end in a totally different place than where you begin, but have no idea that it's changing.

One thing I would say is lengthen the piece. For a trio, having all three instruments enter within the first 8 bars at a 100bpm tempo -- even with the dynamics changes -- doesn't provide the building of tension through repetition.

[ ... ] See how you can subtly change things over time...

That's where the real beauty of minimalism comes out -- when you end in a totally different place than where you begin, but have no idea that it's changing.

Thanks for commenting. Of course, this is not a finished piece - just a sketch of an idea/concept for a piece.

So you are not buying that a scale is a minimalist melody - fair enough.

"the building of tension through repetition" is an interesting way to look at it - so the repetiton of the scale (which is shifted to different 'keys') is not working for you.

"One thing I would say is lengthen the piece." so you are saying that a short minimalist piece can't really work as there isn't the length to have the gradual 'mutation' of the original idea that is the essence of minimalism - interesting.

"One thing I would say is lengthen the piece." so you are saying that a short minimalist piece can't really work as there isn't the length to have the gradual 'mutation' of the original idea that is the essence of minimalism - interesting.

I would say that this piece as it stands would lend itself to that kind of minimalism.

Of course, there are a million ways to think minimally in composition, so really look at the piece and study it -- see what you think is best.

Yeah, a gradual change where the destination is a completely different place than when you started, but you don't realise that it's a big huge change from the original starting point.

It's very much like Japanese Buto (sp?) dance. The concept of Minimalism is quite oriental in a sense.

Ferk... and Steven

Thanks for your comments. This was an idea that came to me while the sound was muted during TV commercials. I'm not sure where I will go with it.

Of course you should ignore us if you think the idea is great =P

What I'm saying is that's the type of Minimalism I'm interested in. That idea that you have is not bad at all. It's just maybe it's not really principally Minimalist.

Rock songs/punk rock, etc. aren't really considered Minimalist just because they repeat C - Am - F - G chord all the time =P

very interesting. i'd like to play around it, if you don't mind,,,,:blush:

very interesting. i'd like to play around it, if you don't mind,,,,:blush:

No problems - if you see something in it, feel free to go ahead and develop it.

It is very short but if it would help having a midi as well as the score I could post a midi version.

No problems - if you see something in it, feel free to go ahead and develop it.

It is very short but if it would help having a midi as well as the score I could post a midi version.

:) ok ! don't worry, pdf is fine, thanks!! :thumbsup:

here it is! :O omg......

crosscrispy.mid

This creates a mood that to me is "pushy" like a crowd of people with each person trying to be first in line, or perhaps the competition to get on a train and grab the best seats at rush hour.

The harmony is quite modern but consistently so.

I would have liked a bit more as the piece just gets going, establishing its harmonic and contrapuntal structure, and then stops.

I didn't find the ending totally convincing, perhaps something more abrupt rather than a fade away would work.

Considering the rather strange and possibly limiting material of my original idea, this is quite an improvement. :thumbsup:

This creates a mood that to me is "pushy" like a crowd of people with each person trying to be first in line, or perhaps the competition to get on a train and grab the best seats at rush hour.

The harmony is quite modern but consistently so.

I would have liked a bit more as the piece just gets going, establishing its harmonic and contrapuntal structure, and then stops.

I didn't find the ending totally convincing, perhaps something more abrupt rather than a fade away would work.

Considering the rather strange and possibly limiting material of my original idea, this is quite an improvement. :thumbsup:

thanks!!! this was just an experiment, like a game, not to be taken seriously :D