Fire and Water

Usually I don't give titles to my pieces, 'cause I can't make good titles, so this is probably one of the only titled pieces I've ever made. Lol, I give stupid titles to the ones I can't think of.

1. Techniques used

Well, I used whatever I could. It's set in a minor key. I'm not really that good at composition yet, I've only been composing for a year, and I only took music theory in high school (I'm thinking about doing this when I get to college). I got most of my ideas through reading the conductor scores in marching band.

Basically, I just go with the basic i, iv, and v chords, with an occasional III, VI, and VII chord in there to break the monotone of having straight minor harmonies.

2. How long it took to compose the piece

About two weeks...

3. Structure of your piece

Well, it's an introduction of the main theme with all the instruments, then the main theme is repeated with just the trumpets, then it is repeated again with a countermelody (I think that's what it is called), then a small break from the theme, then the theme again, then a slow section in 3/4 (which my band director told me that overtures have... a fast part, a slow part, and the fast part repeated again), a slow section in 4/4, and the main theme repeated.

4. Obstacles when composing

The whole section at 1:53 until the repeat of the main theme is what took the longest. I had so many harmonies going on that when I heard in two measures something sounding wrong, it took FOREVER to finally locate the problem (I accidentally had the wrong note on the tuba and bari sax).

Also, I didn't know how to end it.

Another obstacle is that I have trouble writing harmonies/basslines that doesn't involve a whole note that plays either the root or the fifth of the chord. I tried to overcome that when I made this song.

5. Summary of overall piece

This is one of the pieces I composed that I actually like (I have 7 made, but this and two others are my personal favorites). The whole section at 1:53 is my favorite part, possibly because that's the first time I ever used more than one harmony to accompany the melody.

struggle and success.MUS

The .wav file

Fire_and_Water.MUS

I had no success with the wave, and you used a Finale I can't afford.

Hmm... try right-clicking the .wav and clicking "save target as"... that might help. If you just click it, it'll play in your browser, I think.

BTW, not sure what Finale you have, but I'm running '04.

OOC: Fianle 2001, stolen, so dont tell any one, my German teacher burned me a copy.

I did as you suggested, and when my Media Player went to play the file, it sent an error. Do you have a midi?

Well, here's a midi. I personally don't like how the midi makes it sound... odd.

Yellow Fever extract.mid

Fire_and_Water.MID

*listens*

Although a bit hard to follow at times, I guess it was well put together. The progression could use some work. It felt random in some areas - at others, the percusion didn't flow too nicely. Other than that, nice rythm, good pattern. I could tell some thought was put into this.

I like the bit of symphonic work done in 00:45. However, what I'm having trouble trying to understand is how this piece has anything to do with Fire or Water. When I listen to this, neither of those elements come to mind - more like an adventuristic battle theme. Either way, good listen. I was entertained.

Lol, I dunno. When I listened to it, the contrast between the two parts just felt like raging fire and serene water...

But yeah, I don't really have any training in music composition (just what I learned in music theory book... which isn't that much). The most I learned is that I, IV, and V chords harmonize the melody mainly... that's as far as I was taught.

Everything else, I discovered through experience of writing.

I really liked the drum lines, I bet it all sounds much better with finale's sound though.

Yes, it does. Anyway, this was sooo loud... I had my volume very low and had to yank off the headphones because it was painfully loud when I pressed play! :P

You have some fun ideas, and some good development. I've made an MP3 using the Garritan Personal Orchestra sounds (I used horns for the saxes), if you want it, send me a PM with your email address. It's only the first section; I'll do the rest if you want me to. I had to mess with the dynamic levels and articulations quite a bit, GPO's like that.

hmm, very nice. Concert band? Yes. Of course.

I like the themes everywhere, they did sound like water and fire like they were supposed to. ( Iguess, they did to me) I especially like the part with alto and bari sax. and your percussion lines were good.

but the harmony did seem to be a little thin all over. You need to lenghten the water part a bit, because the fire parts were squashing it. Maybe state the theme again in the low winds?

And the ending was way too abrupt. >_< I'm not sure what you could do about that though, add another water part and end with a nice soft chord. :)

Anyhow, good job. It's good to know someone else is writing for concert band around here. I look forward to more.

>Mitchell<

The ending and beginnings were way to sudden. The beginning...I don't know but that piece kind of just...starts. Fires are not just randomly popping up...they start from a small flame and then work their way to a huge blazing funnel of death. I think that's what would make this piece spectacular.

That's what I'm doing on my Suite of the Elements... with fire.... working it up. and water is very trickly. It's gonna be good.

But enough about me!

Your Piece is good, but I agree with the fact that it starts and stops suddenly.

I would make it a bit less repetitive. Maybe use a new melody. And when I visualized this piece, I saw a raging fire, tearing through a village. . . and . . . a water puddle, maybe a ripple, but that's just me.

It has potential... keep working.

The Lord of the Onion Rings

I agree that it's too repetitive, with the same chord progression and rythm throughout the piece. Changing either of those slightly would help make the piece more interesting. I know it's a funeral procession, but a little variety, while still keeping to the same theme thorughout the piece, would make it better, I think.

It's not a funeral procession...

For composing for a year this is pretty good. Some of your areas in the score seemed un-themed. This simply means there seems like there is no melody present. Your chord progressions also had a random air to them. Work on one basic chord progression then once you have that set down, toy with it but keep it within reason. Hope this helps.