Drifting

I just finished this composition and would love some constructive criticism. It stretched my comfort zone, as I generally compose for piano, but I like how it turned out.

It has various strings, a triangle, piano, and clarinet. I would love to fully orchestrate it but have little knowledge of orchestration up to this point.

You can listen to it without downloading it here:

-Drifting-

BD

This is very good background/ambient music.

The best book I have read so far on orchestration is the one by Rimsky-Korsakov. I picked up my used copy from abebooks.com at a reasonable price.

If you can learn by reading scores, than I suggest Norton's book of scores. It comes in 2 volumes that are jammed packed full of scores.

You have already got a decent start at orchestrating this, just start adding some instruments and see what you like. I would start by varying the clarinet part by passing it along to others in the orchestra with little variations in the theme. Instead of the strings doing all of the background work, you can pass that along to others as well.

Even tough you joined YC back in 06, I see that you haven't been around since then , so welcome back.

It always helps here to comment in other threads. Some will return the favor and that is what makes this site work.

Ron

Thank you Rolifer. I will check out the products that you mentioned, as I've just acquired some spare money. :)

As for the advice on the song, that seems pretty solid. I'll see if I can incorperate some more woodwinds for the melody and switch the string harmonies with some brass once in a while.

I did join a long time ago and posted some midi files. I'm glad to be back and involved with such a dynamic community.

The orchestration book by Rimsky-Korsakov is in a forum online. I don't know if they have it full there. You probably would like to check it online first, they have it with audio samples that can help you to understand better.

About the piece the only I would like to add is that the strings felt dull after a while to me. You are using them as background but I would like to hear more movement in the strings. Well, actually I feel doubtful of what I am saying because I listened to it yesterday, haha. And what I remember is that strings got dull to me. In the other side I liked how the clarinet entered with its mood in the piece. It worked very well.

Edit: Here is the link: http://www.northernsounds.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=77

Hi BD,

I like the piece. I'm not sure if I have much complaints about your orchestration here. I think the element that I might suggest you focus on is the melodic and harmonic development. If your aim is to write ambient music, then you're doing fine.

What I would personally like to hear is more exploration of the thematic material. I think one of the best moments of the piece is from 2:15 to 2:36. Here, you not only departed from the continuing rhythmic pattern that you had previously set up, but you have some very nice harmonic and melodic development. It's very effective writing. I would like to hear more of that. Your ears also get a sense of relief at 3:44, when the solo piano comes in. Even when composing ambient music, your ears still want to hear some variety every so often.

In terms of your desire to fully orchestrate it, it really doesn't need much more than what you've already done. What you feel is lacking in your orchestration, might be a recognition that something is missing. But I think the missing element might be thematic and harmonic development.

I'd like to hear more of your stuff.

I just finished this composition and would love some constructive criticism. It stretched my comfort zone, as I generally compose for piano, but I like how it turned out.

It has various strings, a triangle, piano, and clarinet. I would love to fully orchestrate it but have little knowledge of orchestration up to this point.

You can listen to it without downloading it here:

-Drifting-

I'm not getting anything from this link - no player starts up :-S

Hi BD,

I like the piece. I'm not sure if I have much complaints about your orchestration here. I think the element that I might suggest you focus on is the melodic and harmonic development. If your aim is to write ambient music, then you're doing fine.

What I would personally like to hear is more exploration of the thematic material. I think one of the best moments of the piece is from 2:15 to 2:36. Here, you not only departed from the continuing rhythmic pattern that you had previously set up, but you have some very nice harmonic and melodic development. It's very effective writing. I would like to hear more of that. Your ears also get a sense of relief at 3:44, when the solo piano comes in. Even when composing ambient music, your ears still want to hear some variety every so often.

In terms of your desire to fully orchestrate it, it really doesn't need much more than what you've already done. What you feel is lacking in your orchestration, might be a recognition that something is missing. But I think the missing element might be thematic and harmonic development.

I'd like to hear more of your stuff.

Thank you for the very helpful critique! I took you advice and created a new version. While the chords remain primarily the same, I have added more melodies and counter melodies. I also added more instruments for new colors.

The orchestration book by Rimsky-Korsakov is in a forum online. I don't know if they have it full there. You probably would like to check it online first, they have it with audio samples that can help you to understand better.

About the piece the only I would like to add is that the strings felt dull after a while to me. You are using them as background but I would like to hear more movement in the strings. Well, actually I feel doubtful of what I am saying because I listened to it yesterday, haha. And what I remember is that strings got dull to me. In the other side I liked how the clarinet entered with its mood in the piece. It worked very well.

Edit: Here is the link: Principles of Orchestration On-line - northernsounds.com

Thank you for the link! As for the song, the strings WERE very repetitive. I added a horn into the string harmonies. Hopefully it helped a bit.

Here is the updated version. It does, however, have a couple glitches. A static noise cuts in at about 1:50. I can't figure out how to remove it and have tried everything I can think of including tech support forums. :/ Is this better?

Drifting (Revamp)

This other version is also beautiful. :)

I like the added colors that the instruments gave, and I think this piece was better at communicating overall than the original.

I really enjoyed it, thanks! :)

Very nice indeed, although I would suggest making the cellos a little softer. they are too sharp for my taste.

after about a minute there's a mellody that is played by the violins and the piano.

I would not use the strings with the piano at 1st. try it.

other then that. nice job

Nice work. And I agree with GidonRicardo about not needing the violins on the melody at 0:48. But you can probably compromise and just lower the volume of the violins at that spot. And the sus. cymbal entry at 2:15 is a little startling. You can lower that as well.

But again, nice work!