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My attempt at sounding like Philip Glass

Discussion in 'Critique & Feedback' started by Mark Wayne, Jul 20, 2021.

  1. #1 Mark Wayne, Jul 20, 2021
    Hey everyone,

    As of late I've been interested in Philip Glass and similar composers who create music using repeating layers and patterns.

    I wanted to share a piece inspired in part by his work, and wanted to know your thoughts.

    It's pretty repetitive, which is to be expected, but hopefully there's enough variation in it to be engaging to the listener.

    If not, I'd love to hear how a piece like this could be improved and taken to the next level.

     
  2. #2 Michael Lückgen, Jul 20, 2021
    I think you should move earlier and more harmonically.

    From 0:13 until 0:26 we do not have any new information. just the bass coming in. With that simple patterns it was kinda boring quickly.
    Then the melody came in and I was again interested. Second time through the melody and you move harmonically, which is very welcome (0:54).
    But then you go quickly back to what we already know (1:00) and this is where I think you have the opportunity to move much much more.
    The pattern variations which come later were fine for me, but were not enough to keep interest.

    So I would suggest to shorten the intro (or make it more interesting) and to move more harmonically.
     
    Mark Wayne likes this.
  3. #3 Mark Wayne, Jul 21, 2021
    Thanks for listening, Michael!

    Yeah, this is kind of a tricky thing because while the piece is meant to be repetitive and kind of fade into the background, I also don't want it to be boring.

    I do see how the section you mentioned in the beginning, though, kind of drags on. I like having the long intro before the melody comes in, but I agree that more could be added in addition to the bass.

    As for additional harmonic movement after the 1:00 mark, that's something I'll have to play around with. If I revise this and can come up with something that feels like it could be more compelling, I'll share it here.

    Cheers!
     
    Michael Lückgen likes this.
  4. #4 Michael Lückgen, Jul 21, 2021
    Last edited: Jul 21, 2021
    or maybe just modulate a lot and see if this keeps the interest. You probably will have to look out to not sound it cheesy or forced with the modulations, but it's worth a try.

    or play more with your melody from 1:00 on. When I recall correctly your melody disappears completely. But you could do a thousand variations on it and keep the same harmonic progression and it will not likely get old quickly.

    Listen to this from the marked point in the video:


    The progressions stays largely the same but the melody gets changed and varied to keep interest.

    Or take "026. Entering Backstage" from here: https://vgmrips.net/packs/pack/indiana-jones-and-the-fate-of-atlantis-ibm-pc-at
    The Harmonic progression (Two Chords) do not ever change here.

    And keep in mind that both examples are made to be loopable for their games, so they may go on for hours.

    Although these are in a completely different style, it may help you that you CAN actually repeat the same chords without modulating or moving them on and make it work.

    I think it depends on what your goal is with this piece. You mentioned staying in the background and it made me think about videogame music (the good kind).

    Hope it helps!
     
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