Reflections in the Rain

Composed for solo piano- edited as of 2.24.2011I recorded this myself, but after listening to it I think I'm going to re-record it (too much pedal).

Reflections in the Rain

I love some of the harmonies you've used in this piece, like the maj.7ths and 9ths.

One thing I suggest, though, is that left hand part should be more varied - it pretty much stays the same all the way through!

Also have you tried ending with an A minor arpeggio instead of the major? I think it'd give a slightly darker and sombre conclusion, matching the opening as well.

I love some of the harmonies you've used in this piece, like the maj.7ths and 9ths.

One thing I suggest, though, is that left hand part should be more varied - it pretty much stays the same all the way through!

Also have you tried ending with an A minor arpeggio instead of the major? I think it'd give a slightly darker and sombre conclusion, matching the opening as well.

Thank you for your comments! I will think about the left hand part. And regarding the major arppeggio: I did originally have a minor arpeggio, but I decided to make it major to signify the "end of the storm", when the sun comes out and a rainbow appears :).

I have to say, Elizabeth, this is a LOT better as a piano work. I absolutely adore this. You write very well for the piano. My only comment really is to provide a little more contrast - to really bring out your ideas and make them pop. Beautiful work! Hope to hear more!

I have to say, Elizabeth, this is a LOT better as a piano work. I absolutely adore this. You write very well for the piano. My only comment really is to provide a little more contrast - to really bring out your ideas and make them pop. Beautiful work! Hope to hear more!

Thank you, Jason :). That means a lot. I will keep that in mind as I continue to improve this piece.

I do like the new edition of this piece (esp. the last 3 measures). Although I have to ask why did you speed it up? To me, it felt very rushed, like you were in a hurry to get somewhere, and i didn't really enjoy that feeling. But i think that changing the 2/4-11/8 from the previous work to a simple 7/4 measure was a very good choice. and then the rhythm change at m.59 was genius! i can tell you've been working on perfecting this piece, because the little changes that you've made have made all the difference!

Beautiful piece Elizabeth! I really enjoyed listening to it. The two recommendations I have are basically echoes of other reviewers: change up the left hand a little bit rather than just arpeggios and change the final arpeggio to a minor chord rather than major. Both of those recommendations are merely personal taste though, not really necessary. Excellent work!

This is so you. :P And nice playing! ...But you're not playing what's on the score. You changed some of the arpeggio figures. o.o It's a little better than what's written.

Recording critiques:

Heard about three flubs. One of them, of all things, adding a b7 to an A major chord. x_X ;D And put your phone in your pocket, "v-v-v-v-v-t!". What recording device did you use? What's your recording room like, accoustically?

I love your chord progressions, namely when you go outside of the key for a brief second at discreet moments. You also have a talent for makng very expressive melody lines.

Re: the "vary the left hand" comment that everyone seems to be saying. I agree. When I was listening to the intro, my ear was begging m.12 to have a change, namely a string of 16th notes or something. And toward the latter half of the piece, I was hearing a huge change of register as one of the primary themes came back.

Also if I may make a suggestion: outline your chords differently around m.25. Before then, there is enough new stuff going on in the right hand to where we don't really mind hearing the same thing over and over in accompaniment. But at about m.25 with the not-exactly-a-melody line, I started really noticing that I've heard it ALL before. Take the opportunity to write some really cool reinvention of the arpeggiation or intricate bass motion (inversion, anyone?).

Thanks for sharing! :phones

I do like the new edition of this piece (esp. the last 3 measures). Although I have to ask why did you speed it up? To me, it felt very rushed, like you were in a hurry to get somewhere, and i didn't really enjoy that feeling. But i think that changing the 2/4-11/8 from the previous work to a simple 7/4 measure was a very good choice. and then the rhythm change at m.59 was genius! i can tell you've been working on perfecting this piece, because the little changes that you've made have made all the difference!

Thank you. I guess I've always played it this fast, but decided to write it slower. I don't like how slow my orchestra version ended up being-- this is a story of a rainstorm from beginning to end, not a leisurely stroll :). Thank you for your compliments- I will look and see if I can possibly take out the feeling of being rushed throughout.

Beautiful piece Elizabeth! I really enjoyed listening to it. The two recommendations I have are basically echoes of other reviewers: change up the left hand a little bit rather than just arpeggios and change the final arpeggio to a minor chord rather than major. Both of those recommendations are merely personal taste though, not really necessary. Excellent work!

Thank you very much! I see that more and more people are commenting on the left hand, so I will definitely start taking a look at it. And you really think it should be minor? :unsure: I'll think about it.

This is so you. And nice playing! ...But you're not playing what's on the score. You changed some of the arpeggio figures. o.o It's a little better than what's written.

Recording critiques:

Heard about three flubs. One of them, of all things, adding a b7 to an A major chord. x_X ;D And put your phone in your pocket, "v-v-v-v-v-t!". What recording device did you use? What's your recording room like, accoustically?

Thank you! And, I realized that after I posted it...so I'll be putting a new recording on.

I just use a handheld digital voice recorder (the one I take with me for voice lessons). :facepalm: Yes, I hoped no one else would hear my phone buzzing.... ahh well. It shan't happen again! And I just recorded this in a practice room- probably not the best acoustics.

I love your chord progressions, namely when you go outside of the key for a brief second at discreet moments. You also have a talent for makng very expressive melody lines.

Re: the "vary the left hand" comment that everyone seems to be saying. I agree. When I was listening to the intro, my ear was begging m.12 to have a change, namely a string of 16th notes or something. And toward the latter half of the piece, I was hearing a huge change of register as one of the primary themes came back.

Also if I may make a suggestion: outline your chords differently around m.25. Before then, there is enough new stuff going on in the right hand to where we don't really mind hearing the same thing over and over in accompaniment. But at about m.25 with the not-exactly-a-melody line, I started really noticing that I've heard it ALL before. Take the opportunity to write some really cool reinvention of the arpeggiation or intricate bass motion (inversion, anyone?).

Thank you for your advice! I will definitely keep them in mind as I continue to work on this.

You guys have been great....thank you very much!! :)

Allow me to interject:

MINOR?!

No. :P The piece is a "major chords with 9ths" piece. It's totally not minor and to end it minor would be totally out of place. imo. ^_^

I'm kind of curious, Inkweaver, how you justify a piece that is so completely major ending in a minor chord.

As a point of discussion, I'm a firm believer in the thought that composers are free from all rules except those that they establish themselves through the journey of their music. Nothing is out of place or illegal unless the composer has implied it by their composition.

@Peter - The major chord felt out of place to me, so I recommended the minor. I didn't really have a technical reason for it.

Oh Hey Liz, no very much comments, just I liked a lot, remain me to print this thing later (with your permission of course).

Oh Hey Liz, no very much comments, just I liked a lot, remain me to print this thing later (with your permission of course).

Thanks!! And of course you could print it :). If you learn it, I'd love a recording if possible :)

Elizabeth:

Ditto. I think I'm going to do some studying up on some of the asier piano compositions around here...

By the way, every single upload you create as jesusfreak12341245t233574 is now dead. =\ Obviously because your profile page name has changed. That...mm. That's something that needs to be fixed so that name changes don't kill links so easily...

I'll talk to Chop about it.

Hmm? When I click on the link, it says "The specified profile cannot be found."

Is this just me, or does this need to be fixed? :( I really wanted to hear it :sleep:

Serge: this will happen to everyone who has ever changed their name. Go directly to Elizabeth's profile by clicking her name and find this piece from there. Every previous upload link of Liz's has been broken.

I've informed Chopin about this problem, and I have yet to hear back on it.

Ahhhh, thanks for that -- I'll definitely do that when I have the chance :)

Oh my ... Wow :mellow:

There really is a magical quality in this piece -- it's very ... "pure" sounding ... It really got me right here in the ticker :happytears:

I thought you played it very well, and the little flubs here and there sort of added an accidental authenticity to the piece's emotion (if that's not a terribly pretentious thing to say :lol:)

I thought the choice of harmony at measure 11 was very good -- E Minor to F Major. It caught my ear and drew me in. And the build-up into your expressive melodies ... it was really amazing, honestly.

Thanks for sharing, Elizabeth -- I think this is really excellent art :phones:

Thank you so very much for your kind words. It really means a lot to me.