Winds off The Atlantic

Hi all! This is my latest (finished) piece! Winds off the Atlantic, I call it. But It's just a play on words. It actually means woodwinds. :) Comments welcome!

Here is the file:

windsoff_1_1.sib - File Shared from Box.net - Free Online File Storage

HeckleP - can we possibly get a .pdf score and maybe an .mp3? Many folks around here don't have sibelius at their disposal...

OK. First, here is a MIDI: winds off_1_1.mid - File Shared from Box.net - Free Online File Storage

I'll get the mp3 and the pdf on very soon.

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Here is the pdf file: winds off_1_1.pdf - File Shared from Box.net - Free Online File Storage

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Sorry, everyone. I can't get an mp3 file to work. :(

Hey there,

I just listened to your piece, and I'm impressed...and also disappointed, and I'll tell you why. Keep in mind, I don't want to be mean, I just want to help you out with your composing a bit. :) Sorry, in advance, if I'm too harsh on you.

From the age thread, you said you were ten? For age ten, this is quite impressive! I'm fifteen and still don't dare to write an orchestral work! So props to you for having a go at writing a seven-minute piece.

And I say "having a go" because it was not really...entirely...great. I'm not going to lie, I didn't really enjoy it. First of all, there are many many many notation issues. The score is messy (not as bad as some I've seen, though), and there are hidden rests and all; you should make the score easy to read and comprehend. Sixteenth-sixteenth-sixteenth-half note-sixteenth? PLEASE notate your rhythms and tied notes correctly.

You also have a honky-tonk piano in a orchestra. Um...yeah. I'm just going to assume you like the computer sound of it and not the real sound? Quite frankly, in a piece like this a honky-tonk piano is a bit out of place.

The harmonies are a bit boring; lots of fifths, I can see. They may be pretty for a bit, but soon enough they're boring and are just a drone. And there's another thing; the drone. I'm just looking at your cello part and double bass parts...pedal tones are okay in moderation! You're abusing your cello players and bass players; no orchestra would play this simply because the bass instruments would be bored out of their minds playing B's and fifths the entire seven minutes.

I also noticed there are practically no slur/legato markings in the entire piece. Considering the work itself, you'd think there are legato marks; what you've written, really, is for all the notes to be slightly detached and separately articulated. Tongued. Not sure that's what you were going for...

The piece...to be honest, bores me. It doesn't really seem to go anywhere, or never really reaches a high point, despite the tempo changes. I mean, it got to tempo 140 and I thought it was going to go somewhere, but it did not. It sounds like background music to a video game. Like MapleStory. That's not necessarily bad always, but in your case, it doesn't help you.

What it all boils down to is orchestration. You need to learn how each instrument of the orchestra works before you are able to write for each one. I highly suggest learning orchestration, or maybe getting a book on orchestration to help you out with this.

Correct me if I'm wrong...but this seems like you sat at the computer, on Sibelius, and tapped out the music onto the computer, and not writing on paper at all? It might work for some people, but what I really really suggest is that you go buy some manuscript paper, sit down at your piano or whatever instrument, and write out your piece. In pencil. Then, use Sibelius to computerize your music. It works in ways I cannot begin to describe.

Ultimately, I'm going to say that if you gave this piece to any orchestra to play, you'd be laughed out the door. I strongly suggest you write for some smaller ensembles first, and get a sense of how different instruments work. For example, I'm a flutist. But I don't know how to play anything except flute or piano. So, I decide to write a violin sonata, to get to know the instrument better; to understand its capabilities, BEFORE I go on to write something huge like a symphony.

Keep this piece, maybe in the future, you can re-orchestrate it. I'd like to hear it then. :) You have some good ideas, I'll give you that, but you're a bit of an upstart.

Good luck!

Thomas

And I say "having a go" because it was not really...entirely...great. I'm not going to lie, I didn't really enjoy it. First of all, there are many many many notation issues. The score is messy (not as bad as some I've seen, though), and there are hidden rests and all; you should make the score easy to read and comprehend. Sixteenth-sixteenth-sixteenth-half note-sixteenth? PLEASE notate your rhythms and tied notes correctly.

:sadtears: I'm crushed

You also have a honky-tonk piano in a orchestra. Um...yeah. I'm just going to assume you like the computer sound of it and not the real sound? Quite frankly, in a piece like this a honky-tonk piano is a bit out of place.

Um.... I do like honky tonk piano. I heard it and thought it would be a contrast to the test of the orchestra.

The harmonies are a bit boring;

Realize how hurtful that is?

I also noticed there are practically no slur/legato markings in the entire piece.

I forgot to edit my score before I posted that, so I'll have a corrected score on tomorrow. :)

The piece...to be honest, bores me.

Criticism, Criticism, Criticism, Criticism, Criticism. That the only thing you know how to do?

What it all boils down to is orchestration. You need to learn how each instrument of the orchestra works before you are able to write for each one. I highly suggest learning orchestration, or maybe getting a book on orchestration to help you out with this.

I have learned orchestration, from copying out the whole Sibelius 4th symphony. People say I'm better than some adults. So this felt like getting a slap in the face from you.

Correct me if I'm wrong...but this seems like you sat at the computer, on Sibelius, and tapped out the music onto the computer, and not writing on paper at all?

If you saw my handwriting you would see why I don't use paper. I have to learn to get into Julliard, though.

Ultimately, I'm going to say that if you gave this piece to any orchestra to play, you'd be laughed out the door. I strongly suggest you write for some smaller ensembles first, and get a sense of how different instruments work. For example, I'm a flutist. But I don't know how to play anything except flute or piano. So, I decide to write a violin sonata, to get to know the instrument better; to understand its capabilities, BEFORE I go on to write something huge like a symphony.

Hello, I have been a composer for 7 years, and I have no interest in small groups. I am writing for a 7 instrument piece, now.

Good luck!

Thomas

First nice thing you said.

General comment to you:

:angry: :sadtears:

Not a very nice thing at all. Very harsh, almost made me cry, felt like you were whapping me in the face and being very picky about this and that. I truly want to go into my room and cry. This is the meanest thing anyone has ever said to me in my whole life. WHOLE LIFE

Keep in mind: I AM ONLY TEN! GEEZ LOUISE!!

Also, I believe the first nice thing I said to you was this:

From the age thread, you said you were ten? For age ten, this is quite impressive! I'm fifteen and still don't dare to write an orchestral work! So props to you for having a go at writing a seven-minute piece.

Aww man, dude. No, I didn't mean to hurt you that deeply.

Well you did. I am getting misty eyed.

The point is, you're supposed to learn from your mistakes, no matter how cliche that sounds. Honestly, I wasn't flaming you for no reason. If you want to be a composer, you gotta know how to take criticism.

So basically you are saying that this piece is a mistake, I should throw it away, and slap myself in the face and say, "get over it"

No, criticism is not the only thing I know how to do. And yes, I kept in mind that you were ten. And I said props to you for being daring enough to do this. You need to understand that on a forum like this, people will be ruthless, most of the time BECAUSE THEY WANT TO HELP YOU.

You still could have said it nicer. You obviously haven't considered the fact that I was ten, or you wouldn't have been so harsh.

Oh, so you have learned orchestration? People say you're better than adults? You've composed since you were three? And you input directly into Sibelius? Fantastic. Now go fix this up, I'd be delighted to see what you can do.

I ain't fixin' no part of my piece accept for detail work.

And now I feel like I'm going to cry. Again.:sadtears:

Well you did. I am getting misty eyed.

So basically you are saying that this piece is a mistake, I should throw it away, and slap myself in the face and say, "get over it"

You still could have said it nicer. You obviously haven't considered the fact that I was ten, or you wouldn't have been so harsh.

I ain't fixin' no part of my piece accept for detail work.

And now I feel like I'm going to cry. Again.:sadtears:

No, actually I said specifically to keep the piece, and work on it to perfection. I specifically said that. I really did.

And I was as nice as anyone else around here. Seriously, if you'd seen MattGSX, he'da torn you apart.

Ten is a mature age. You are entering adulthood. I'm not going to coddle you like some people will. Don't ever expect people to go easy on you just because of your age. I don't judge people by how good their music is for their age, but by how good it IS.

I consider you a composer. Not a young composer, a composer.

Ten is a mature age. You are entering adulthood. I'm not going to coddle you like some people will. Don't ever expect people to go easy on you just because of your age. I don't judge people by how good their music is for their age, but by how good it IS.

I consider you a composer. Not a young composer, a composer.

Ohhh..... that makes me feel a lot better :cool:

A 15 year old is teaching a 10 year old! How nice! (joke!)

Really... Blackballoon I see your point perfectly clear, just keep in mind that feedback comes in different forms, tenses and idioms. While you are free to judge a work based on the work and not on the age of the composer, this does not mean that the feedback you will provide will be the same regardless of the age of the composer, however.

Hecklephone99: You have an impressive work here. Blackballoon just got a work rejected for the MW forum, where your work is. This is impressive to begin with.

Any feedback, no matter how harsh, on your works, or even your actions are good. Any personal comment is bad. One is generally free to talk about your work, and even your actions, but not about yourself: Reason is simple: We don't know you and we may never know you!

Even if someone says that your work is not good (this is an example, I'm not saying that, I haven't heard your piece yet), this means that this guy thinks so. But who cares what this guy thinks? Take the comments, if there are any (in which case blackballoons post was full of comments) and see if you can learn something from them comments: "He said that the piece was boring... hmmm... maybe I should take care of that next time I write a piece", and so on...

I'm 31, Mike is 25+, Robin is around 28 I think, Marius is 25, Rollifer is above 50 (!) etc. We are rather young, but much older than yourself. We are the stuff of Young Composers forums and we are here to help communication and solve any problems.

A final advice, I had to learn at a much older age than you: When you feel crashed by a post in a forum, take a deep breath, write down your angry reply, and then click on "preview" or email it to yourself. Let it be for a while. Read it again the next day, or even the next week. Forums do work in real time, but this does not mean that one is present constantly. So you can take your time, relax, and think about how really troublesome or hurtful is a comment that was made to you(r works). The same applies for everyone I guess, including me, Jen, Chopin and all the staff of Young Composers forum, as well as the members, reviewrs, etc.

Wishing you all the best,

Nikolas

@Nikolas: yeah, I know, a fifteen year old teaching a ten-year old...we teenagers "know everything." >< I didn't want to crush him; I judged his composition at the standard of the composers here. For a ten-year old, I said I was impressed. I specifically said.

He's won Morton Gould and the charlotte Bergen award, and now he thinks he's better than Jay Greenberg, and this the "greatest young composer in the USA". So, since he feels like a god, he couldn't take my criticism seriously and thought I was bullying him. -.-"

But I digress. If Heckle doesn't want me critiquing his work, then I won't, and I'll leave him alone. :)

@Heckle: I'll lay off you from now, kay? If you ever want, I'll take a look at your future stuff, but unless you ask, my lips are sealed. Feel free to look at my work, though. Of course I doubt you'll want to listen to that, haha.

Cheers.

Heckelphone, regardless of your age, if you can't take criticism without taking it as a personal offense, perhaps you should stop submitting your works for scrutiny.

You've probably had teachers/friends/parents falling over themselves telling you how wonderful you are and how amazing your works are, but really... out here in the real world it's nothing special. Yes, this is somewhat impressive for someone your age, but not for long.

*more to come*

*sigh* People have ALWAYS said my music isn't great... I have been doing it since I was your age, Heckle. I am at the opposite end of the spectrum. The problem with being good young is that you become complacent. I know, Nico has always said he's enjoyed my music, but I try to ignore compliments. (no offense) I try to Stay grounded and understand that improvement is the ONLY way to climb up the ladder in this business (in ANY business for that matter).

FOR EXAMPLE!!! I just finished the first half of my song cycle that I have been working on since the beginning of summer (in the planning stages). As I look back at the first work (I have written it in order), I see how much I have GROWN compositionally since I started. So, I have to go BACK and rewrite a lot. And, now it sounds consistent. I also see that with AGE comes maturity naturally. Back when I was your age, my compositions were an attempt at real work, nothing of your calibre. But, now that I am 17 (seven years later), my work is miles ahead of yours... but it ISN'T the notes that make it further than your music. It is my experience as a composer. I know what works and what doesn't. I understand that rhythmic variation isn't JUST in the notes, it comes form your soul and the emotions that you feel in CONJUNCT with the technical training I have received.

My work has never been praised... ever (except for one choral piece that was just pretty which my parents said was great... but that was just pretty chords, so I ignored them. ;) ) And, I am not complaining. When I write a work GOOD enough to be praised by SOMEONE (other than Nico, :) ), I will be happy. But, I am happy writing too. I know that I am still a kid, so my music doesn't HAVE to great yet. What I am getting is this... you have to WORK to make something big.

And, not to ay you didn't work... but you didn't WORK. WORKing is different because it's taking experience-driven knowledge. I know this sounds like rambling, but i AM trying to help. WORKing comes from YEARRRRRSSS of experience. You aren't a prodigy, and that's ok... none of us are either. So, you need to spend time with your pen and you... alone... with your paper and a piano. Just write for a long time. Figure out WHAT WORKS and what doesn't. Develop a style over time. (I didn't have a style until March of this year, and I have been writing for 7 years).

It is something that takes discipline, so wipe your eyes and try to comprehend MUSIC as MUSIC. Now, I don't understand it as such myself... I am not old enough, nor do I have the experience of REAL training to be able to tell you what it is. But, I can tell you, that DOING it, just doing it will open your eyes a little more. My guess is that in about 5 years, you will look back at this piece and see what we are seeing. You have talent, I can tell... you understand how the notes work... NOW it is time to go deeper.

You have to THINK harder. But, at the same time, you just have to DO it. Experimenting with the music at your age is exactly what you need. Also, getting a solid ground in theory (I assume you have already learned a bit), will do you some good. If you want a teacher, apply for the lessons program.

If you want to talk to someone who has BEEN where you are, PM me and we can talk serious music. Oh, and to your piece, I agree with everything that has been said. Your work is impressive, and it is WAY above my standards for a ten year old... but it isn't good. Yet. You MUST understand this, no matter how much effort you put into it, no matter HOW much heart and soul you put in it... you cannot even begin to understand what you are doing until you have the experience to know so.

Just keep writing. Just KEEEEEEP trucking, and you will get there. I promise.

-Morivou.

Alright

I know you are 10, which this in it self is a feat for a 10 year old. I didn't start composing seriously until I was 20, and I'm 24 now. When I was 10, I was climbing trees and playing baseball. So kudos for being able to write like you can at such an early age. You have a bright compositional future ahead of you if you keep up your work, I'll always look forward to hear more from you to see how you are progressing.

With that said, you can't be like you've been acting. I agree with whomever said the you've have praise your hole life, welcome to the real world statement. I couldn't see it any other way. First of all, you should be thankful that the members here have taken time out of there day to consider a 10 year olds work worthy of a comment. Second, people aren't here to bash you. If they see a problem with something, they will tell you, which thank God they do because it's pretty worthless to have music reviewed only to get "awesome piece lulz". I've had my music torn apart at times and it's done nothing but make me a better composer; so; keep in mind that you should be flattered that people will give you constructive feedback without anything in return.

Sorry if I sound like a hugh bunghole, but it's the truth.

I really liked your piece that you wrote for teh ASCAP awards, but this one not so much. I'll tell you why.

Your piece is very very static. There's almost always a pedal bass, the harmony is boring BECAUSE it is static, and your melodies go nowhere. Now, if you don't want to change anything and not take the advice of members here, go ahead. But, we're here to help.

Keep the material you have, but venture off harmonically. Change keys, stretch out your themes, VARY things up! Your piece is motivic, so be creative in how you handle the themes you present. I think you are portraying what you said out to sonically picture very well, but you have to make it more interesting. You have wonderful ideas, but composing is not belting out idea after idea. You've construced building blocks, now go build something! :D

Don't get offended by anything people say to help you in your compositional endeavors, no one is saying "you suck" or anything stupid like that. You're 10 and have a musical gift, there's no denying that. But please, change your attitude because you're coming off like so many before you thinking that you're a musical messiah and nothing needs revision. We're here to help, so keep posting and take advice with a grain of salt. Good luck!

Vince

Well, I was initially going to be nicer but seeing as how you believe yourself to be better than some adults and think you are above chamber works, I'll ignore your age completely other than to say, for a ten year old, it is quite an impressive work.

However, for a composer of seven years, this is not very good at all. If there is one single problem with this piece, it is that there is absolutely no development. It is very, very static. Low pedal tones are used throughout almost the entire piece. It keeps the piece from appearing to move, evolve, or change at all. The whole thing felt like a giant introduction with no pay off. This problem is exacerbated by the fact that your harmonic language is very simple and uninteresting. There is hardly any dissonance in this piece (and that which is created feels unintentional) and therefore leaves the piece without any tension whatsoever. There is no drive forward and the various motifs feel somewhat random and meandering (however, in and of themselves, they were nice).

There are also quite a few orchestration issues (though it's not as bad as a lot of other pieces done by much older composers on here) and the piece has an almost complete lack of counterpoint or horizontal interest. Your piece is largely melody over chords and this almost inexcusable for a large orchestral work.

My suggestion is not to scrap the piece but to simply cut it down some. As a four minute overture to a large symphonic piece, I think this could work very well. You have plenty of good material here. It's just handled in a pretty immature way. Also, you should better incorporate dissonance and maybe even throw a modulation or two. And please, SEVERELY cut back on your use of static, pedal tones.

All in all, I feel your work has a great amount of potential. You just need to learn humility and accept the fact that you still have a long way to go with it. And try not to look at any of the comments people offer here as discouragement or bullying. Even composers double or triple your age can fumble with a 5+ large orchestral work. I've certainly heard worse than this from people double your age.

Good luck and happy composing. I'll be following you here at YC as to see how you mature.

Well, I was initially going to be nicer but seeing as how you believe yourself to be better than some adults and think you are above chamber works, I'll ignore your age completely other than to say, for a ten year old, it is quite an impressive work.

Oh, great...... here comes something hurtful..... I just know it!!!!

However, for a composer of seven years, this is not very good at all.

I knew it! Something hurtful. Again. First BB, then thatguy, now you. Good god! I feel like I'm dead on a plate! Ughhhhhhhhh................

And I do not think my music is better than some adults, I said that some people I have met have said that. I said nothing about "Oh, I am the best composer in the USA! I am so great! The best in the world!"

And I said that I do not like to write for small groups, I never said I was better than that.

And ignoring an age is not something you should do, if it is good for a ten year old, it is, and that is that. I didn't start writing good music until I was 6, but 3 years before that, I started.

Thatguy: I have already been hurt once, then you come along, and now this poster.

And I do not need lectures about this and that.....blah blah blah. Yeah, I know this is taking it over the top, but 3 people saying it was boring or bad? Seriously...... I've had nicer bullies at school. At least they don't comment about music if they don't like it. It is the nice thing to do, especially to someone only 10 years old.

Really guys, I would be fine with "It needs a bit more work. I will help you if you wish." I don't like "This is boring. This is static. For a composer of 7 years, this is terrible." I would be nicer to a ten year old, if I were you. But that is your choice. Let me get mad and never want to talk or listen to you again. Fine. Your choice.

That's the responce I get? Calling what I said hurtful? Really. I spend half an hour explaning why you're getting the responces you are getting, then offer aid as to how you can maybe better your skill, and you throw what I say out the window?

Good luck in the future.

Wise words. Heckle, I was in your position for most of my life, and now, as I go to college am just transitioning out of it. Because I had been winning awards and stuff since I was 7, and, as Flint predicted with you, had teachers and professors and junk fawn over it, I thought I was hot sh*t. You can look back at any of my posts here when I was younger...they're embarrassing. A few people that I hated at the time told me what Flint just told you...and you know what? It made me a much better composer. The second you realize not everybody will like your music, or respect it, or even want to look at it (this last one will happen more and more), you'll realize that it doesn't matter, and can't be this way. Reality checks are great, and you'll need them continually. The reality is nobody is anything special to everyone. I don't expect you to react to this maturely, because, well...you're not mature. You're 10! But if you can just read our words with a grain of salt, you'll do much better. Don't get pissy and resist it all like I did. I was an idiot. The "prima donna" mindset is the worst mindset for learning, which we composers realllyyyyy need to know how to do well. So, if you can help it, avoid becoming this way, it'll save you a lot of trouble :).

That is WONDERFUL advice... perhaps you should read it again.

I have not had a chance to listen yet, incredibly busy with my responsibilities on the forum, but I will tonight.

And I do not think my music is better than some adults, I said that some people I have met have said that. I said nothing about "Oh, I am the best composer in the USA! I am so great! The best in the world!"

No, but in the shoutbox you said you were the greatest young composer in the USA. You said you beat Jay Greenberg. (Which, I think Gavin said, anyone on this site could beat, anyway)

And ignoring an age is not something you should do, if it is good for a ten year old, it is, and that is that. I didn't start writing good music until I was 6, but 3 years before that, I started.

Look, this has been said a couple times already: you should be flattered that we are considering your music by the high standards that we do. As I said earlier, many of us will not coddle you. You want the truth, you get the truth.

Thatguy: I have already been hurt once, then you come along, and now this poster.

"This poster" happens to be an editor, if I remember correctly.

And I do not need lectures about this and that.....blah blah blah. Yeah, I know this is taking it over the top, but 3 people saying it was boring or bad? Seriously...... I've had nicer bullies at school. At least they don't comment about music if they don't like it. It is the nice thing to do, especially to someone only 10 years old.

You clearly need these "lectures", because you're just being rude to us. We're trying our best to help you out here and you're just throwing a tantrum. In the music world, no one is going to "help you through" the composition process, okay? That's totally up to the composer, who will consider what other people tell them and make changes themselves. We already DID help you, but you're not willing to take it because you think we're bashing you.

We are not bullies.

Really guys, I would be fine with "It needs a bit more work. I will help you if you wish." I don't like "This is boring. This is static. For a composer of 7 years, this is terrible." I would be nicer to a ten year old, if I were you. But that is your choice. Let me get mad and never want to talk or listen to you again. Fine. Your choice.

We helped you. We really, really, truly did. Or at least we tried. Did you ever consider the idea that we were making helpful, specific suggestions? Because I did. I'm pretty sure Nirvana did, I believe thatguy did too. You're getting what you're looking for.

So, fine, your choice. If you don't want to even CONSIDER what we have to say, it's your loss in the long run. I suggest reading over Nico's post again.

Oh, great...... here comes something hurtful..... I just know it!!!!

I knew it! Something hurtful. Again. First BB, then thatguy, now you. Good god! I feel like I'm dead on a plate! Ughhhhhhhhh................

And I do not think my music is better than some adults, I said that some people I have met have said that. I said nothing about "Oh, I am the best composer in the USA! I am so great! The best in the world!"

And I said that I do not like to write for small groups, I never said I was better than that.

And ignoring an age is not something you should do, if it is good for a ten year old, it is, and that is that. I didn't start writing good music until I was 6, but 3 years before that, I started.

Thatguy: I have already been hurt once, then you come along, and now this poster.

And I do not need lectures about this and that.....blah blah blah. Yeah, I know this is taking it over the top, but 3 people saying it was boring or bad? Seriously...... I've had nicer bullies at school. At least they don't comment about music if they don't like it. It is the nice thing to do, especially to someone only 10 years old.

Really guys, I would be fine with "It needs a bit more work. I will help you if you wish." I don't like "This is boring. This is static. For a composer of 7 years, this is terrible." I would be nicer to a ten year old, if I were you. But that is your choice. Let me get mad and never want to talk or listen to you again. Fine. Your choice.

Clearly, you have no idea just how harsh the internet can be if you think what I said or anyone else has on this thread is "hurtful". If you want to submit something to the major works forum, then don't be surprised if people critique it like a major work. All you appear to want is blind praise however.

If you want to be on this board and submit works, then you're really going to have to toughen up. You can't cry every time someone offers criticism or doesn't like your piece. I understand you're very young but if that is going to prevent you from being able to handle criticism then you really shouldn't be here (and to be honest, this site can be much harder than it has been on your piece). I'm not trying to be hurtful. I'm simply warning you.

Hey Heckle? Please calm down. You have managed to get something into the Major Works forum, and get several of the more noteable composers on this forum to take a look. That is a a huge compliment. You should be proud.

I'm going to review your piece. This should not be read as an insult or a compliment. I/we are only trying to help you get better, so that next time you post something I can listen and say that you have improved. The more you listen to us, the better the chances you will improve. Are you ready? Are you calm?

Firstly, it is okay. It wasn't the best thing I have ever heard, and it wasn't horrible. I don't like it, and I don't dislike it. I will however, tell somethings I liked and some things I didn't like as much.

Liked:

You have quite a few ideas, good ones. They all seemed to flow together without out too many bumps. Nothing stood out to my ear as "eww, what was that?"

Didn't like:

It was a little boring (don't get mad, these are only words on a screen), but that is okay. I didn't really like that last chord, I don't know why it just didn't feel "right" to me, but that is okay.

Now pay attention to this part.

You are 10, you are learning. I am learning, we are all learning here. No one is saying what you did was wrong; no one is trying to bully you. They are just telling you how they feel. I am sure you have listened to music before and gone, "yuck! I didn't like that" or maybe "that was amazing." You are reacting badly, stop it. You will make a lot more friends here, which means that next time you post something they will listen again, and hopefully they will be able to say that you have improved, and help you more.

I am going to tell you my impression of the piece. (tell me if you need this to be written more clearly)

It was nice; I felt like you were trying to take me on a journey (out into the Atlantic Ocean perhaps? Have you ever been there? just wondering). Now you did this to an extent, but I don't feel like you took me out there. We might have waded on the beach together. I congradulate you on taking me that far! Some people can't even do that much. However, I want to got waaaaaay out there! you know? I got excited, but you let me down a little, which it fine.

Do you want to know how you really take people for that amazing journey? You explore! You explore within the music you are writing. Your exploring within the music translates into a journey for the listener. Try something crazy, silly, serious, anything. (this is also how you learn from experience). When people said this was boring, this is what they were getting at. They were not trying to be mean. Maybe you don't know exactly how to do that exploring, that is fine because you are learning just the same as everyone here.

In the end the only opinion that matters is your own. If you like it, that is the end of it.

Time for some real harsh words then:

This is a music forum. And this is the Major Works forum, where great composers have posted and great works exist.

It's not a playground, nor the principals office!

You either all quit it here and now, or the thread gets divided for better or worst, to two different ones: The MUSIC one and the Fatherly Advice one.

And yes, Hecklephone99, I'm this harsh and even more to my two kids, aged 6 and 4 now! And they do cry sometimes when I'm harsh, but they do understand cause I sit down and try to explain to them WHY I need to be harsh on a few occasions!

And one final piece of advice, since I also come from an environment of "awww how nice he writes. Awww he's great, etc". FORGET YOUR AGE, and see how you can improve. Improving means knowing what's BAD about your music, along with what's good and not feeling hurt.

(I've also been very busy, and have not listened to your work yet! Talk about popularity! 3 pages, 2 replies from me and I have not heard the work in question yet! :O Promise to, later on today)

*agrees with Nikolas*

Heckle. (and everyone) chillax.

You said this in your opening post:

Comments welcome!

Don't say something you don't mean.

I don't know that I should comment on your piece since you seem to only value a composer by age or competitions won. I am 26 now, I was nearly 23 the first time I composed a piece on Christmas Day in 2005. I am 100% self-taught. I have neither entered nor won any competitions and don't care to. I am a hobbyist. Honestly, I spend more time managing this site then composing. So you can either take or leave my comments. But. Since you asked me to listen to your piece, I did three times, and here are my non-musically educated thoughts:

For anyone, not just a 10 year old (that is irrelevant to me) I think you have some good ideas. I like your main theme. I do however feel that it could use some variation. The section starting right before the one minute mark was very nice. My only real complaint is that you never deviated from the theme, or "changed it up" at all. What I just said is a nice way of saying "static" as everyone has been telling you. I am not trying to hurt your feelings in saying that. If you leave the piece as it is, that is fine, I am just saying it could have used a climax or build-up of some sort. It stayed at the same pace for the duration of the piece and seemed to be the same chords over and over. I liked it for the most part. An interesting piece. Keep composing :)

Hey

I'm calmed down. Comments and criticisms are welcome!

nice piece but try to change the texture

the texture remind unchange