Suggestions Please?

I have composed 3 pieces for my IGCSE music, but I really need some tips on how to improve them. I know for one thing that the second composition rly needs the beginning changed, but other than that, I'm pretty clueless.

Here are my comps, any suggestions?

Composition 1.sib

Composition 1.mid

Composition 2.sib

Composition 2.mid

Composition 3.sib

Composition 3.mid

Composition 1.- I felt the part underneath the 12/8 section got boring and could be helped out a bit rythmically. HINT.....hemiola?

I liked the main Motif alot. Very cool. I wouldn't change too much.

Composition 2.- I felt it needed a bass guitar ALOT that or a bass instrument of some kind. It felt hollow. Also things going from intro to - Middle and Middle- to end was hollow and didn't flow too well in my opinion. It needed something filling out the bottom I think. It didnt feel like it was going anywhere in those parts. Also use the guitar to a bigger extent. It can do ALOT. You don't always need distortion, even then it can do alot with just one sound. Use the second one more as well. Fill out the Middle- Low range more. That bass is kinda needed here. Or else it was very enjoyable, I was diggin it. Its definitley got potential. I take it you play clarinet? I liked the mix of instruments was cool.

Composition 3.- When you stop in the middle don't stop alltogether. Keep something moving the music forward such as a bass sustained note. Bluntly the ending was pretty lame. This one lacks the most I'm afraid. It needs alot of work.

Just keep your music moving forward, sudden stops don't usually work unless used sparingly.

Just giving you my honest opinions, remember what you thinks matters more than what I do. You have a very nice way of writing music. I like it. Just some more bass would be nice. Good job and keep on going.

These are the changes I've made to comps 2 and 3 now. Comp 2 has undergone some serious surgery, as you can compare^^ and comp 3 has been rejected and I started again with a new idea. It's a little repetitive but it's a piece to create an atmosphere.

Composition 2.sib

Composition 2.mid

Composition 3.sib

Composition 3bi.mid

Hmmmm. Sorry if I'm harsh. Two was really boring. If you cut the first section in half, dynamics and changed the textures in the second you would be better off. No offense but I think you abused copy paste. You need to make it feel different even if you are trying to create a mood keep the mood but make it different. Remember music always needs to go forward. I like the ideas but you need to represent them in a more non-put me to sleep fashion.

I really liked the third one. It got boring like the second one too. Change things and give things a new flavor each time you reintroduce something. Whether it be adding grace notes to the piano or changing keys. Your music gets tiring after a while.

Some things to do: Modulate, Dynamics, Use more different Ranges of the instruments, slight rythm changes with a constant harmony, and forward motion. Focus on these things and I think it will help you alot. Your doin just great keep pluggin away. Good luck.

Thx for the feedback. Unfortunately, deadline means I can't change anything anymore, I simply don't have time. (Luckily, comp 2, no matter how boring it is, fits with the IGCSE criteria so I don't need to worry). If I decide to continue composing, I might one day decide to actually turn it into a piece of music ^^.

As for comp 3, I don't rly agree with you =S (I didn't find it boring). Also, I DID change the things when I reintroduced them, usually by changing the backing. I dunno...

Anyway, thx for all the help, it's been incredibly valuable to me.

No problem good luck at the show.