How Does This Flute Sonata Sketch Sounds?

I have been in a writers block space lately and have had troubles coming up with decent sounding ideas. So how does this idea sound for the start of a flute sonata? Do you think that this idea sounds good musically? Thanks!

Flute sonata draft.pdf

This short snippet sounds extraordinarily well produced!  I don't know how you compose or what kind of process you go through but for me listening to my composition while I'm composing is a killer of creativity.  I get excited about how good what I already wrote sounds and then I get intimidated by that when trying to continue my composition.  I don't know if this is what is happening to you.  You say you have trouble coming up with "decent sounding ideas".  A solution to that from my perspective is to divorce yourself from the sound and compose in a venue where you don't hear everything you write immediately.  This might (as it does for me) let your musical imagination run free and unencumbered.  I hope that helps!

13 minutes ago, PeterthePapercomPoser said:

This short snippet sounds extraordinarily well produced!  I don't know how you compose or what kind of process you go through but for me listening to my composition while I'm composing is a killer of creativity.  I get excited about how good what I already wrote sounds and then I get intimidated by that when trying to continue my composition.  I don't know if this is what is happening to you.  You say you have trouble coming up with "decent sounding ideas".  A solution to that from my perspective is to divorce yourself from the sound and compose in a venue where you don't hear everything you write immediately.  This might (as it does for me) let your musical imagination run free and unencumbered.  I hope that helps!

 

It make sense! I guess sometimes I get into the mindset of comparing what I have with others and feel a bit let down with what I have in comparison to what others make. It makes me start to question of what I’m making sounds decent or musical!

so based on your answer I’m guessing you think this idea sounds good and musical and is worth continuing?

1 hour ago, Guardian25 said:

so based on your answer I’m guessing you think this idea sounds good and musical and is worth continuing?

Yes, but I think that making it "sound good" should be the last step in the composition process.  Like production of the piece should be the last thing you do after you've already finished the musical material that the piece will be made of.  At least that's how I work.  It's a little bit like a writer who can't help but edit everything they write as they're writing it - they just frustrate themselves instead of letting them have some creative licence and freedom.

6 minutes ago, PeterthePapercomPoser said:

Yes, but I think that making it "sound good" should be the last step in the composition process.  Like production of the piece should be the last thing you do after you've already finished the musical material that the piece will be made of.  At least that's how I work.  It's a little bit like a writer who can't help but edit everything they write as they're writing it - they just frustrate themselves instead of letting them have some creative licence and freedom.

 

Ahh ok I think I understand what you’re getting at! So you’re saying to just write out what ever comes out and then to go back and to edit to make it sound better?

12 minutes ago, Guardian25 said:

So you’re saying to just write out what ever comes out and then to go back and to edit to make it sound better?

Musical material exists for many composers and myself, in the imagination, independent of sound.  Only once I have finished the entire composition do I sit down at the computer and start entering it in.  But some composers do work differently (as in hearing their composition as they compose and it helps them to "fill in" the missing parts).  I was just thinking that if you're experiencing writers block it might be because of a process of hearing your music as you write it and being too dependent on how it sounds.

4 minutes ago, PeterthePapercomPoser said:

Musical material exists for many composers and myself, in the imagination, independent of sound.  Only once I have finished the entire composition do I sit down at the computer and start entering it in.  But some composers do work differently (as in hearing their composition as they compose and it helps them to "fill in" the missing parts).  I was just thinking that if you're experiencing writers block it might be because of a process of hearing your music as you write it and being too dependent on how it sounds.

 

Yeah that could be true. I guess also I get stuck on whether my ideas sound decent musically or if I should trash it. That’s why I was asking if others if this idea sounded decent to them!

1 hour ago, PeterthePapercomPoser said:

Musical material exists for many composers and myself, in the imagination, independent of sound.  Only once I have finished the entire composition do I sit down at the computer and start entering it in.  But some composers do work differently (as in hearing their composition as they compose and it helps them to "fill in" the missing parts).  I was just thinking that if you're experiencing writers block it might be because of a process of hearing your music as you write it and being too dependent on how it sounds.

 

I’m one of those who listens as they compose and benefits from that listening.

19 hours ago, caters said:

I’m one of those who listens as they compose and benefits from that listening.

 

How does this idea sound to you?

On 2/23/2022 at 5:10 PM, Guardian25 said:

How does this idea sound to you?

 

Sounds like a very good start to a flute sonata. Very Baroque in nature, I'm reminded of Bach when I hear it.

On 2/25/2022 at 12:05 AM, caters said:

Sounds like a very good start to a flute sonata. Very Baroque in nature, I'm reminded of Bach when I hear it.

 

Thanks that’s what I was going for, a baroque-like sound! I want to turn this into a baroque suite for flute! I will have to post my updates when I do more work on it!

On 2/28/2022 at 12:58 AM, Guardian25 said:

Thanks that’s what I was going for, a baroque-like sound! I want to turn this into a baroque suite for flute! I will have to post my updates when I do more work on it!

 

I see. The Baroque Suite has always been one of those where I’m like:

Quote

Okay, yeah, I understand what I should do here. I understand that the Allemande has a 1/16 or 3/16 upbeat, lots of sixteenth notes, and tends to gain contrapuntal voices, or in other words, additional melodic lines are seamlessly added in.

And yet simultaneously I’m like:

Quote

Wait, did I do something wrong here? I didn’t think I did anything wrong, but now I’m not so sure, it just, I don’t know, it doesn’t sound right.

So, I haven’t written a full Baroque suite yet because of that. Most I’ve written of one is like the Minuet or Gavotte.

I think you have the right idea. I think there are generalities to each dance, but certain parts that were expected of each dance before Bach were not adheared to since the suites were not meant to actually be danced to!

Hi ! 

I would like to add some suggestions as a harpsichordist who is very fond of this style of music. As PeterthePapercomPoser said, the sound itself is the last part of the composition process I think. Concerning your piece, the sound is very good but before considering that characteristic, I think that you should pay more attention to the materials of the composition itself : for example, I have the impression that the rhythm and the melodie of each line seems to lack of coherence. Plus, if you consider the place of the semiquavers, they are placed on the 4th beat of the 2nd bar, which produces a little abrupt effect. Then, If you look the bass line at the 2nd bar, the passage from G to A, you make an avoided cadence which shouldn't be placed in the beginning of this piece, I think. You've got some very good ideas but in my opinion you should pay more attention to the composition before the sound. Besides, what material computer did you use to have sounds like that ? 

Thank you for sharing ! 

William.