Hi. Noob here. I like strings.

Heyy. I'm Corey. I'm new to this here forum but let me say that it is very awesome. There are so many young talented composers. It's amazing. Hopefully I'll be as talented one day. Anyway, I've only just started learning music but I hope to make a career out of it in the future. This is my first attempt at composing with strings and...well it's really short....like a minute. My goal when starting this was to actually finish it. I have problems with that. I also wanted it to have a lot of energy and drive without being annoying to listen to. I'm sure I failed horribly but oh well. Trial and error I guess. Comments and critism are welcome. Be as honest as possible but please don't just bash my music. At least tell me how to make it better. :wub: Thanks.

Funny Little Ditty.MID

Funny Little Ditty.MUS

Good job for a frst post. You have great ideas. The only few things I would say is that the main theme is always in octaves with you. You could try to do some harmonic development with the strings (mostly the first and second violins) to make the main theme more intersting to listen to the second time.

You seem to have almost a modern style of writing. If you just started writing, I would be careful of what you practice. Look at form and try some classical pieces. BE AWARE- I am NOT trying to push you into a classical style... it is just that it will be HUGELY beneficial to have an understanding of classical music so that you have a firm understanding of music from its inception.

You could add a developmental section. Nothing more to say!

Godd job, and keep composing!

~Mori~

Thanks for the comment and for the advice. It is very much appreciated.

Hey Corey, great piece, i love it. One thing tho, never look down on yourself, have faith in your works! ;)

Keep up the good work, hope to hear more from you in the future

-Cheers Mate

-James

Thanks mate. I'll try to work on my insecurity.

just so you know, the viola part is WAY too low in places ;)

Really? I thought it could go pretty low but I didn't know the exact range. Thanks.

the lowest a viola can go is the first C below the staff. It might be helpful to have the ranges of the instruments handy next time you're writing a string piece :(

And another thing, the viola typically plays in the Tenor Clef, did you put the Treble there on purpose?

Oh ok I'll remember that. And about the viola being in treble, I didn't realize it was in treble until now lol. Hmm. I don't remember putting it in treble, but yea I know viola is usually in tenor. Thanks again.

Actually, it's usually in alto clef.

Ok, now I'm getting confused. Which one places middle C on the middle line of the staff? I thought that was tenor...

Nope, that's Alto. Middle C in Tenor clef is the second line from the top of a stave.

Hmm. scraggy. That's embarrassing. I was never good at remembering little things. Thanks for the correction and sorry for kinda wasting your time on such basic knowledge.

You can learn all about orchestral instruments and their ranges here:

Vienna Symphonic Library

Good resource :happy:

I'd just like to say first and foremost that I usually abhor modern pieces...

With that said... Yours was awesome! I really don't know how I'd improve upon this, as I'm not good at writing in a modern style, but it sounded very good for a first piece.

Nope, that's Alto. Middle C in Tenor clef is the second line from the top of a stave.

I know for a fact that the middle line of the Tenor Clef is middle C. Where are you getting your info?

I know for a fact that the middle line of the Tenor Clef is middle C. Where are you getting your info?

as a bassoonist, I can assure you that tenor clef is NOT the one with C on the middle line. THAT is the alto clef which is generally used for the viola.

unless there is a misunderstanding of terminology here.

the tenor clef centers itself on the 4th line up in the staff.

the alto clef centers itself on the 3rd line up in the staff.

Both tenor and alto clefs have middle C as the "target" note.

ie: at the center of the clef itself.

However, each one centers the clef itself on a different line of the staff.

Zentari, thank you for the comment and I'm glad you enjoyed my peice. Bolonas, thank you also for your comment and advice. After listening to the peice again, I find the octave doubling to be simply annoying to my ears. I will do my best not to make such mistakes twice. Thanks again.

I think what would really help this piece is some varied dynamics amongst the different sections. I love your theme, but sometimes I feel that it's being over powered by the other sections accompanying it. Also, try having the other sections play the theme other than the first violins. If you ever plan on having it performed, what I can tell you is that all musicians want their time to shine. Make it fun for each of the sections. I hope to hear more from you! You have potential, don't let it slip through the cracks. =)

very enjoyable, charming piece! it shows a dramatic feel, specially because of the use you've made of harmonic progressions and modulation. nice job!

Very nice music there!

Keep up the good work.