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Feedback on a Composition

Discussion in 'Critique & Feedback' started by Abián Castellano, Oct 14, 2020.

  1. #1 Abián Castellano, Oct 14, 2020
    Hi everyone! I would like to receive some feedback on a piece I made a couple of weeks ago. I would like to improve my motives and the form of the piece as well as the orchestration, if anyone has any thoughts about it, please let me know!

    I tried to modulate the theme and transform it several times, changing the harmony and the instrumentation until I went out of ideas.

    Thanks for listening!

     
  2. #2 Duncan Formosa, Oct 14, 2020
    Hey Abian,

    I think orchestration wise this is very good, it's certainly better than what I could do, the sections seem to dance together pretty well.

    In terms of the theme, I'm struggling to lock onto it. It feels very notey, there's too much happening and it's constantly changing so I'm not really with you on the piece. I'd try finding what you want your main theme to be and simplifying it a bit. Find a simple rhythmic pattern and then experiment with the notes, see where you can take it and see how you can change the orchestration to keep it fresh. See how far you can take that idea and then move onto your B section, maybe implement some of the A theme in there (you don't have to) and maybe throw the A section back in there so we stay on the same track.

    Here's some of my favourite examples of pieces with a simple motif that is repeated and changed throughout the piece to keep it fresh.









    I'm maybe not the best at explaining things but I hope that's helped in some way

    Not sure if I've explained that very well, if not let me know and I'll try again haha, hope this can help in some way.
     
    Abián Castellano likes this.
  3. #3 Abián Castellano, Oct 15, 2020
    Thanks Duncan!! I appreciate your feedback very much! You are totally right, the theme is unrecognisable, it doesn't stand out and it is too long, I will try to keep things simpler next time! I like you took time to search for examples, I really appreciate that, I will study them! And yes, you went to the point, if the melody does not work the piece won't work despite good orchestration and all those things.

    And about my orchestration skills are very simple at the moment (if compare with someone). If I can give you any advice to grow yours, it would be to work independent instruments, let's say a Flute and try to make a solo piece with ABCACA sections or the pattern you want. Try to make the piece is long 3-5min, working transitions and harmony throughout, and then add instruments to it little by little. It is a thing I have been doing for a while now. Instead of using all instruments you start simple. Using a Flute, then a Flute and Oboe, then A Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, then you add Bassoon (if you notice you can work developing a simple melody (one part) (then two part, moving the melody between both instruments and adding some harmonic parts), and then after that you add the third part which brings you more options for adding extra harmonic lines and counterpoint melodies. By doing this you will grasp a sense of the ranges and how they work together, the different techniques you can apply to each instrument and the combinations of them. You repeat the same process with all the instruments of the orchestra and I think you will get great results!

    Here is an example of what I said:

     
    Manuel Cervera and Duncan Formosa like this.
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