Can you critique these pieces

Hi! Can you critique these two four-measure pieces I wrote for my intro to music theory class. I had to write one in 4/4 and one in 3/4.

Btw, here's where to download the free trial version of the Noteworthy Composer software I use to compose this: NoteWorthy Composer - Downloads

Are these pieces polyphonic? Is it a canon or a round?

What's your general impression of them? How do they make you feel?

Thanks!

Doug's Music Homework1.nwc

Doug's Music Homework2.nwc

Hi and welcome!

Though I am sure for some downloading a program to view your work it not a big deal, the majority will not take a look for this reason.

I suggest that you use a pdf printer (like Primopdf, or bullzip, or just use google to find one), if you can make an mp3 and host it with a site like box.net do that, although midi files are just as acceptable.

I also urge you to participate in the whole forum, and get to know people (the quickest way to composer's heart is to comment on his work ;)). This will bring more people to look at your stuff.

Hi and welcome!

Though I am sure for some downloading a program to view your work it not a big deal, the majority will not take a look for this reason.

I suggest that you use a pdf printer (like Primopdf, or bullzip, or just use google to find one), if you can make an mp3 and host it with a site like box.net do that, although midi files are just as acceptable.

I also urge you to participate in the whole forum, and get to know people (the quickest way to composer's heart is to comment on his work ;)). This will bring more people to look at your stuff.

Sorry, I can't convert the file. Just download the program.

Sorry, I can't convert the file. Just download the program.

I would like to hear/see this and comment on it, but I am not going to "just download the program."

As suggested, you can convert to PDF using CutePDF for example, which is free and easy to use. In fact you simply 'print' to CutePDF and it converts whatever into PDF format.

I would like to hear/see this and comment on it, but I am not going to "just download the program."

As suggested, you can convert to PDF using CutePDF for example, which is free and easy to use. In fact you simply 'print' to CutePDF and it converts whatever into PDF format.

OK, here we go.

Btw, skip to the second page on each of them; since I was using a free program, there's an order form on the first page.

Doug's Song2.pdf

Doug's Music Homework1.pdf

Doug's Music Homework2.pdf

Doug's song.pdf

Polyphonic no. Homophonic (i.e. chordal) yes. Polyphonic means parts interweaving often with different rhythms so as to offset each other. Both parts have very similar rhythms and notes for that matter, creating a unison composition.

Your use of rhythm is interesting and sorry to say this but sometimes sounds like someone having a heart attack or irregular heartbeat.

When writing in 3/4 think Waltz. When writing in 4/4 think March. I know this is general, but at least it gives you an idea of style against time signature. Also, think tune on top and accompaniment at the bottom.

Watch your ending in Doug Song 2 - the key is G major and you finish on a D 'chord' whilst the upper part is a G. As for Doug's Music, what key is the piece supposed to be in? Your key signature is non-existant (although many modern composers, especially here, will say that key signature is perfectly acceptable!)!!

They are not bad, but they do sound a little too random and "I must write something down for my homework, doesn't matter what, or else I will get into trouble".

Polyphonic no. Homophonic (i.e. chordal) yes. Polyphonic means parts interweaving often with different rhythms so as to offset each other. Both parts have very similar rhythms and notes for that matter, creating a unison composition.

Your use of rhythm is interesting and sorry to say this but sometimes sounds like someone having a heart attack or irregular heartbeat.

When writing in 3/4 think Waltz. When writing in 4/4 think March. I know this is general, but at least it gives you an idea of style against time signature. Also, think tune on top and accompaniment at the bottom.

Watch your ending in Doug Song 2 - the key is G major and you finish on a D 'chord' whilst the upper part is a G. As for Doug's Music, what key is the piece supposed to be in? Your key signature is non-existant (although many modern composers, especially here, will say that key signature is perfectly acceptable!)!!

They are not bad, but they do sound a little too random and "I must write something down for my homework, doesn't matter what, or else I will get into trouble".

What do you mean by "random"?

My instructor just said make it sound "not like a two year old banging or a cat walking across". It's an intro theory class, not a composition class.

On each of them, what sort of emotion do they elicit? "OMG I must be having a cardiac arrhythmia or seizure!"?

What do you suggest I do to improve them?

What do you mean by "random"?

My instructor just said make it sound "not like a two year old banging or a cat walking across". It's an intro theory class, not a composition class.

On each of them, what sort of emotion do they elicit? "OMG I must be having a cardiac arrhythmia or seizure!"?

What do you suggest I do to improve them?

Remember that this is only my opinion and other people might write better or worse things.

Random. I meant that the rhythms and notes felt as if they were simply pluck out of thin air and not necessarily following a progression or path. This leads me to the "seizure" parts where slow rhythms give way to really quick ones, then slow then medium slow then fast then slow etc... One thing I will say is that they sound and look like rhythm exercises rather than compositions, and as you stated this was a theory class, then they fit in very well in that context.

Remember that this is only my opinion and other people might write better or worse things.

Random. I meant that the rhythms and notes felt as if they were simply pluck out of thin air and not necessarily following a progression or path. This leads me to the "seizure" parts where slow rhythms give way to really quick ones, then slow then medium slow then fast then slow etc... One thing I will say is that they sound and look like rhythm exercises rather than compositions, and as you stated this was a theory class, then they fit in very well in that context.

Were these good for a first try at composing, though?

Btw, these are in minor key (Doug's Song is in the hexatonic Prometheus scale).

Can you upload a MIDI version?

Can you upload a MIDI version?

Here's a better song I wrote, after my music instructor taught us these really cool clapping rhythms (and gave us lyrics) to teach us rhythm, I put them together.

Is this polyrhythmic, polyphonic, or homophonic?

The Rainbow Song.pdf

The Rainbow Song.mid