Searching for an echo

This composition is done on a yamaha DGX-630 keyboard. It conveys an atmosphere that is sad and lonely, yet filled with hope. The beginning main tune is repeated near the end and the middle section has a quiet violin playing in the background. Youtube link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2f4-iMBD0zkCheers

Searching for an echo

I personally felt that the ´climax´ in m12-13 came too soon. At the end it did work, so maybe you could rewrite that first part just a bit, or play it one octave lower or something like that. lol I had not read your description, I was all like what is that violin doin there? Although it fitted the music, it didnt fit the piece if you know what I mean, so imo you could have left it out :happy:. Good job!

cheers bro

i think its because i just got my new keyboard and can't resist using the different types of instruments haha

I'll focus on instruments that will work together harmoniously in future comps.

Cheers for the comment XD

You have some great ideas. I personally am a fan of the type of mood that you create which reminds me of Yanni. My biggest complains in listening to your works has to do with orchestration and more importantly repetitiveness/lack of a unifying climax. It seems you try to make the piece longer by continuing an idea but sometimes short is better.

I'll try to give some hints on things you can work on but it's just my perspective.

Orchestration -

In your other multi-instrumental pieces there was some balance issues. For example, with Journey across the stars there are some problems with the bass overpowering the piano. Also the digital piano tends to sound slightly thin. This isn't necessarily bad but seems to lack some expression. In some of your orchestration and arrangement you do a very nice job but it seems sometimes you lose some focus. It stands out more than it should because it sounds really nice in some spots then ok in others(and hence sticks out more than if it was just ok all over).

Also you seem to be using a keyboard for all the orchestration. This is fine and one can't expect perfect results and it is generally pretty difficult to perfect anyways.

If you agree with me that there is some issues then the best thing you can do is try to find out how they came about. I feel that you are trying to make more music than is needed to extend the time and that is why it evolves that way. I could be wrong. If this is true or if you tend to "wander" when you are composing this then you need to work on perfecting your pieces(which involves only keeping the best of it).

Repetitiveness -

In this case it sounds as if your wandering on some themes and ideas. This isn't necessarily bad depending on the context and does give a melancholy mood. This could be more preference than anything else but I personally like to feel the tension build up and then be released and if it's not done for long stretches it can feel boring. Again, if you feel that your wandering or writing for "time" then this is most likely the reason. If that is the case then it's ok to do while composing but you then need to remove all the unnecessary repetitive stuff when you are perfecting the piece. (you can actually insert stuff to counterbalance it but this requires more composing).

In any case you definitely have a great talent but you just need to perfect it to become a true master. No doubt you will get better with time. Here are some other suggestions:

1. Venture out in other styles... even styles you don't necessarily like. This can help you become more creative by getting your musical "juices" flowing. I used to not like country music but after hanging around some country musicians I started to like it and it opened up new musical doors for me. You also learn more about the structure of music as your brain subconsciously analyzes the music you hear(by trying to figure it out). This helps you in understanding what music really is which ultimately will help you with your own music.

I guess an analogy is like if all you every saw were various shades of red... when you see other colors such as shades of green your mind will evolve and understand better what "color" is. Even if you don't like the shades of green you will then appreciate the red more.

2. Try to write short pieces(1m or less) that express one idea you have completely without any extra sections or repetitive musical information. This does not mean repetition is to be removed but that you shouldn't' repeat things just to repeat them. When someone talks they can repeat themselves to reinforce an idea but if they just repeat themselves just to repeat themselves then it doesn't work(hopefully you get what I just said <img src="http://network.youngcomposers.com/elgg/ipb/public/style_emoticons/default/wink.gif" alt=";)" />.

In fact, you could give yourself a fixed time limit... say 30s. Attempt to cram as much new information, in your musical style, as you can. This is the complete opposite and bad if you do this when composing but this may balance out for you. e.g., if you can do both ways intentionally(too much information and too little then you probably can find a happy medium).

Work on song structure very intently. The formal song structures(part forms, etc...) are not necessarily what you want in your style(as it is more free) BUT again, by learning them and having a good understanding you'll subconsciously integrate them in your style and with enough practice you'll do it to good effect. This alone may give your songs more form and make them less repetitive.

Of course you'll never please everyone with your music and it's ultimately you that needs to be happy with it. If you are going to try to reach a wider audience though you have to compose "for them" and of course they decide what is good or not.

I'd say your pretty close to being a "true" composer(people that actually have a "gift" for it and not just make music). The only thing I have notice is that your style is very specific(from the music you have posted) and hence limits your audience but all composers have this issue more or less. What I mean is that you seem to know what you want to say and just need to work a little more to go from good to great.

It's totally up to you though if you want to go down that path though as you may not want too. Some people are totally satisfied composing ok music and we'll never be perfect anyways. I'm just the type of person that wants to be the best I can be at whatever I do and tend to want other's to do the best they can too(at least I say that ;/) but life is different for everyone. This is the reason why I'm trying to point out a few things that I feel are weak in your music and some suggestions to improve them. It's up to you to decide if I'm right or not(Because I could be wrong) or if you care about it or whatever it may be.

Believe me, I wouldn't go through the trouble of writing such a long post if I didn't think you had some gift to do great music. Basically when I hear your music I can hear it as being heard just as good as any other similar great music(such as yanni which it reminds me of). This means that if you can reduce your weakness your music will be stronger and be more enjoyable and possibly become great(this is of course true for everyone but I don't think your weaknesses are as much as most people).

What I think is great about your music is your ideas and mood. This is preference as many people hate those moods(too mellow or whatever). The only issue is that your expressing the ideas slightly weak in some parts of your pieces which result. Again, this is all relative and is ultimately what you feel. (there are some people that complain about Beethoven, Mozart, etc... ).

Jon

Thank u thank u so much jonslaughter

Wow thats like a whole essay right there

I am so touched that anyone would write such an in-depth review and analysis haha

I shall definitely look into shorter pieces and experiment with different styles in the future, i have an idea now of a piece sort of the style of Maksim Mrvica (His pieces are bloody awesome even though they're not his own)

It is really hard to get the instruments all exactly in time because i recorded everything by manually playing on the keyboard

Il also try and avoid the unecessary repetition in the future, i guess i tried to make the tune "stick in" the listener's head and it became unnatural.

Thanks once again, and thank you for your confidence in me.

Cheers =D

Yifei