Little wary of posting this now...

Especially now I realise just how far I have to go. However, here's the melody that was knocking around my head all evening. And I've discovered HA's 'Graphical Export' button, so I don't need to upload MUS files that no-one can open anymore!

Anyway, this will probably show my lack of training yet again. I am working on that, honest. I did, however, start with an actual melody this time! However, I still suck at writing accomps. I know the horn's melody is a little boring - I plan on going back and just changing that a little.

I await the pile of constructive crits....

Rauros Falls.mid

Ok, now I can comment more specifically.

1) The slow strings are continuously in parallel motion. That might be very appropriate sometimes, but most of the times you should avoid it.

2) You seem to contradict your harmonies a lot. For example, first bar, first beat. You have an F triad on the strings. And you have an e on the harp. Do you want to establish a Maj7 sound? The harmonic progression didn't have much of a direction, either.

3) You don't respect the harmonic series a lot. But that's not for now.

Overall, the melody is fine. But you should start learning basic voice leading.

Given your level of experience, not bad. Composing is a lifetime's learning but one has to start somewhere!

I take it that the string harmony is just drafted in? You'll spread the chords between bass and treble at some stage? (Unless you want that deep droning sound all the time, of course).

I didn't have any trouble with the harmony as is (the progression) but you should think about modulating or varying it otherwise to carry this forward. And lay the strings out.

Good luck.

[re: string triads]

When you get that low, I think closed position voicings get too muddy. If you open the up a bit, it'll clarify the harmony - and make for smoother voice leading.

The harmonic series is the way. For example, in the first measure, at least the a should be moved up an octave for this to work.

OK, thanks for all the tips. I'll probably put this on the back burner for now, study up on my theory for a bit, and try to put what I learn into practice with it. At the moment I'm coming up to exam week, so it's going to be difficult to do anything, and then my strength will be sapped by the Script Frenzy month, but after that I should be free to study. Argh, I'm doing too much again!

*Looks up at the pile of music theory books, screenplay drafts, uni books, anglo-saxon textbooks, digital art how-to books and card-making magazines that threatens to topple over and squish her...*

Listen, Harpsong, it's not that difficult to learn to employ elementary voice leading. You needn't study huge volumes of harmony. The basic rules need 10 minutes to learn. And a lifetime to employ. And it will do your music a world of good. Get a music theory teacher and arrange a private lesson, tailored to your needs. Or start a lesson here.

Thanks again, Manossq. Like I said on the other thread, I definately will sign up for lessons here, but I need to get the uni exams and essays out the way first. :D

No sweat. I'll be around, eager to see your ideas blossom.

Unfished? Sure, I never thought of Rauros Falls as being an especially good fishing spot... ;)

Unfished? Sure, I never thought of Rauros Falls as being an especially good fishing spot... :(

Yeah...'obviously'! ;)