Op. I

This was the first piece of music I have written from start to finish. Please give me some critiques. Fair warning, I am a percussionist and have close to zero ideas about the ranges of instruments, so I hope this doesn't exceed anything. Thanks!

Edited January 27, 20188 yr by jakecompton7
Edits: Changed the title of the piece and submitted a PDF

Why did you start from a full orchestra?

Actually, I have to say... I started from the full orchestra and only then realized I should write for less instruments and focus on other things.

For a first piece... wonderful! ten out of ten, really. 

I don't want to ruin the true "you" you have in this piece, since that's the first one you've ever written and no one ever gave you a feedback until now.

I will give you a helpful hint though:

Try to sing the melodys you're writing. Many of the orchestral players use their air to produce the sounds, if you can't say it you can't play it, so make a break for them to breath in.

Try to separate them into little groups of notes, under whats called "slurs" (look it up), every time you stop for air end the slur.

That'll make it clearer both for the conductor and for the players. 

I hope that was helpful.

if you want any further help write @Rabbival507 in your message so I'll get a notification for it.

I love it, a phenomenal job for a first piece. I would also recommend for you to downsize your orchestration for your next piece to two or three parts, so you can focus on building the skills of writing melody, harmony, and chords. Eliminate the parallel movement you have in the violin and viola duet, and overall your harmony could be better in some spots. I liked the melody in the violin section after the duet, but the rest of them could be improved as they were not very memorable or singable as @Rabbival507 said. Also,  the hundred twenty-eighth note or semihemidemisemiquaver you included seems a bit excessive and inconvenient to read, so instead maybe just change it to a staccato 16th note.

Thank you for sharing, I look forward to listening to more of your music!

I like it a lot. What software do you use?

Edited January 28, 20188 yr by aMusicComposer

@aMusicComposer

I'm currently using Musescore until I can afford Finale 

Hi jakecompton7 

Your work is very good, no need to think about it. As @Rabbival507  & @notice_me_maestro  well said about "downsize your orchestration" ...to be honest, i have to wonder if all this piece of orchestration you made,  been more "surrouded" with other music efects, It might sound a bit different. But i also ejoyed your work as it is.  

Thanks for sharring!

Thank you all so much for the feedback. A lot of what you said has made a lot of sense and I am working on something small for 5 or 6 voices. I'll be sure to share when it is finished!

Keep up the good work jakecompton7!