August 12, 201015 yr Strange piece. You do realize that the common configuration for string orchestra has two violin sections, right? I'll assume you do. It's difficult for me to critique this piece specifically without knowing you had/have in mind for it because you might be going for a strange sound. The best advice I think I can give is to not throw music down without making sure it sounds exactly like how you want it. This can be pretty painstaking to work out each and every chord so it sounds as "good" (whatever that is for you) as possible. If you are even slightly unsatisfied with a moment in the piece, that effect is likely to be a lot stronger for the listener. Sort of off topic, but have you heard of "Bluejay" the composer? He was a child prodigy a few years back, there was an npr slot about him which I heard; I don't really know what he's up to now. But listening to the music on the site, it sounds pretty nice, with a Hindemith-like harmonic language.
August 12, 201015 yr Author Strange piece. You do realize that the common configuration for string orchestra has two violin sections, right? I'll assume you do. It's difficult for me to critique this piece specifically without knowing you had/have in mind for it because you might be going for a strange sound. The best advice I think I can give is to not throw music down without making sure it sounds exactly like how you want it. This can be pretty painstaking to work out each and every chord so it sounds as "good" (whatever that is for you) as possible. If you are even slightly unsatisfied with a moment in the piece, that effect is likely to be a lot stronger for the listener. Sort of off topic, but have you heard of "Bluejay" the composer? He was a child prodigy a few years back, there was an npr slot about him which I heard; I don't really know what he's up to now. But listening to the music on the site, it sounds pretty nice, with a Hindemith-like harmonic language. First violin and second violin parts would be the same then. To be honest, I didn't know what I had in mind. I'm a beginner and I really don't know too much about composing. Can you be more specific on where it sounds strange for you? I've never heard of him but I'll check it out.
August 13, 201015 yr It's strange all the way through. But it doesn't seem accidental. I don't think you have no idea what you had in mind, even if it feels like it. Why did you put the notes which are in the piece, rather than just random notes?
August 13, 201015 yr Author It's strange all the way through. But it doesn't seem accidental. I don't think you have no idea what you had in mind, even if it feels like it. Why did you put the notes which are in the piece, rather than just random notes? I felt like it fit together well I suppose... What's strange about it in particular? Maybe I should have done certain things a different way?
August 13, 201015 yr Very short! Overall structure is binary (ABA'). Not a bad theme, I think a little more exploration of the strings would be much welcome - perhaps a little more complexity in handling your theme as well. That said, I second lastlife's comment regarding the 2nd violin section. It is essential that you have them in there as they are the second largest section of a string orchestra. Thanks for sharing this.
August 14, 201015 yr Author How did I write it? I'm not sure how to answer that. Can you be more specific? And jawoodruff I'll keep that in mind for next time.
August 14, 201015 yr Author How did you choose the notes and rhythms? I didn't really have a set idea. I just kind of wrote it as I went along. That's how I've been composing everything so far. Is there a better way?
August 14, 201015 yr But as you went along, how did you pick which notes where there? If just smashed any notes (which would be fine), it would sound very different than how it does. You used a method to write this, and I think it's useful for you to try and understand how you wrote it, so you can improve that process.
August 15, 201015 yr Author But as you went along, how did you pick which notes where there? If just smashed any notes (which would be fine), it would sound very different than how it does. You used a method to write this, and I think it's useful for you to try and understand how you wrote it, so you can improve that process. Whatever sounded best to me I guess. I wrote a part of the melody in first and then wrote it's harmony. Then I would continue in this way until I felt like it should end. That's how I wrote it, but is there a better way?
August 15, 201015 yr But there are many different things which sound great. How did you choose which of those to put in the piece?
August 15, 201015 yr Author But there are many different things which sound great. How did you choose which of those to put in the piece? I'm not sure... intuition maybe? I don't plan my pieces out. Is that wrong? Sometimes to start a piece I'll write in random notes and then change things until I find a sound I like then I'll go along with it in a way that sounds logical to me.
August 16, 201015 yr Author What sounds logical to you? It depends on the situation. Usually things that harmonize but sometimes something will be dissonant and I'll like it.
August 16, 201015 yr Could you explain the logic of this piece? Even just a few phrases, what ever you remember would be helpful.
August 16, 201015 yr Author Could you explain the logic of this piece? Even just a few phrases, what ever you remember would be helpful. *furrows brow* I'm trying hard but I really can't... is my piece illogical? I can't really come up with a good reason as to why I put each note in it's place rather that something else. I just... wrote it. This is a really dumb explanation, and maybe I'm just not a very good composer if I can't even explain my own piece. How do you compose your pieces, is there a right or a wrong way to compose a piece?
August 16, 201015 yr There isn't a right or wrong way to composer a piece. Explaining ability has nothing to do with composing ability. I personally think about reasons for stuff in my music, but I don't always, and some of my favorite pieces are illogical. I think it's a useful skill to cultivate though, musical rationality, it has been for me at least.
August 16, 201015 yr Author There isn't a right or wrong way to composer a piece. Explaining ability has nothing to do with composing ability. I personally think about reasons for stuff in my music, but I don't always, and some of my favorite pieces are illogical. I think it's a useful skill to cultivate though, musical rationality, it has been for me at least. How would someone learn musical rationality?
August 21, 201015 yr By writing music and trying to structure it in a way which makes sense. Everything gets better with practice.
August 23, 201015 yr Author That's true, I'm very new to composing and I can only get better slowly with practice and time. What makes sense though? People have composed with rigid structure and then there have been people who's compositions are more abstract. Does making sense require that it go in some sort of direction? That the music transitions and flows? Or is it something else entirely?
August 23, 201015 yr Whatever makes sense to you. If that's a rigid structure, than that's fine. If it's more abstract that's fine. If it's flowing and smooth that's fine. If not, that's also fine. Directionless, I would even say, if that's what you want, then it's fine.
