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"Cold" Music


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Hi guys

I have been struggling on a piece that I very much want to write, but I can't figure out how to write it.  I'm basing the music of of Ernest Shackleton's journey to the South Pole, and I want to open with the a simple scene of the South Pole, but I simply cannot figure out how to write music that reflects the vast expanses and the dry bitter cold of Antarctica.  Perhaps extended technique? I don't know, but if anyone has any ideas please let me know.  Thank you.

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One thing you could do is limit the melody to the upper register and the harmonies to the lower register, and keep it in a minor key. Try descending chromatic scales - this will give a sort of blizzard-like affect. Look up Franz Liszt’s Chasse-neige Étude and give it a listen - it should give you a lot of ideas. 

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Alright, thank you so much for all of your guys' suggestions.  I forgot to tell you that is piece is being played by my high school's orchestra (which is not very good haha) so I couldn't fully explore what I wanted with this song, but here is the first rough draft if any one would care to listen.  It's only the first movement, but I hope you enjoy!.

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