Edits to my First piano quartet composition

I have made some edits to this piano quartet. However, I am running out of ideas, and I am not sure how I should finish it. Would anyone please take a look at it and provide me with some feedback? I haven't added many markings in it yet.Mouvement de l’Air.pdf

Apologies for being blunt, although the sound sets are not at all pleasant. You should try MuseScore, perhaps? It’s free, do you know?

The music itself sounds quite erratic.

I suggest that, in order to receive constructive feedback, explain:

1. What you intended to convey in this quartet (stylistically & narratively)

2. What are the current limitations you feel?

Otherwise you leave it to the reviewer to work it all out, in addition to dissecting your approach to music composition.

Edited 7 hours ago7 hr by Markus Boyd

This audio is from MuseScore. I have finalised this piano quartet. I want to convey the feeling of flying and dancing in the clouds. It is like the music you would hear while on a carousel. Now, as I am new to composing and still exploring, I find it difficult to develop my own style. I enjoy romantic pieces, but I can't figure out my own style. The second difficulty I have is having clear harmony- the right chords. Where should I start in music theory? I have the basics of theory, like intervals and keys. Thanks.

Mouvement de l'air_Score.pdf

Edited 6 hours ago6 hr by Teacher Junior Asia

Thanks for explaining.

I suggest you keep it simple for the time being.

1. Focus on smaller scale and short pieces with two part harmony only. Perhaps a waltz or minuet which provide a clear and simple structure to adhere to.

2. Listen extensively to music you like to build up a creative vocabulary.

3. Learn the art of voice leading: that is, rather than viewing harmony as static, consider the linear relationship between the notes that you write. Transitions should be smooth and each part independent where possible.

4. Share those small pieces on this forum for targeted feedback. The added advantage of smaller scale works for intensive feedback is that the reviewer is not overwhelmed by the amount of material to analyze.

I welcome you to tag me in such future posts and i will try to offer some in depth feedback.

Edited 4 hours ago4 hr by Markus Boyd

Hello

It’s a piece packed with ideas, and the interweaving of the string parts is well crafted.

I’m not sure what your level of experience is, although you mention that you want to improve your harmonic structure…

I mention this because the piano part reveals a certain lack of experience in handling the instrument’s idiom.

One point in particular: when you’re accompanying with block chords, it isn’t necessary to ‘fill’ the entire range. And especially in the lower register – the left hand from F on the fourth line downwards, more or less – avoid stacking thirds, as it all sounds very muddled. In the lower register, you need to open up the intervals, to at least a fifth.

This is very evident from bar 23 onwards, with the ‘presto giocoso’.

Writing for solo instruments in ensembles such as quartets, etc., is very difficult because, on the one hand, you have to maintain the independence of each instrument and keep the listener engaged with what it is doing, whilst, on the other hand, ensuring that the combination results in proper counterpoint and derived harmony.

I believe that to begin developing a grasp of harmony (more or less exclusively), it is best to write for a polyphonic instrument (piano) or for piano and a solo instrument.