Bob Porter's Page

"Kudos Robert, this is enchanting and solemn. I envisioned a band of Vikings on a shore, launching a boat holding the body of a fallen friend and hero. After the boat drifted away, a team of archers lit their arrows and shot them at the funeral…"

"I enjoyed listening and plonking along to it on the keyboard. Thanks for sharing."

"Thanks Kjell. I hadn't actually thought of it as a funeral march. Yes, the opening statement of the theme is sort of in minor. But  in the third measure of the second time through we land on a big major chord. This one chord came about…"

"Hey there, I grew up playing trumpet, but now my main instrument is guitar. Not classical, but steel string and electric. If you have written something for guitar think about recording it and posting it. No matter if you think it is too simple or…"

"This is an example of why the written word is a terrible way to communicate. Sorry. More power to you. I assume you have looked into what to do in case of copyright infringement. I have. I'll leave it at that so I won't be…"

"Micheal, I never suggested you shouldn't go after them, nor that it is permissible to steal online. Only that it happens and that you have more of a leg to stand on doing it the way you do it."

"The impression I get from having the tuba in such a low range most of the time is that the low end is too heavy. The other instruments are comparatively light in character. Perhaps don't worry too much about separating the bassoon and tuba so…"

"Kjell, You can use as much reverb as you want. It just depends on what you are trying to accomplish. Any real concert hall worth a darn would not have that much natural reverb. Maybe a cathedral or gym might have a much as you have used. I only…"

"Joseph, Think about it. Many websites honor the "you put a copyright date on your work" idea. But we live in an age where if people see it online they think it's free to download and do as they please. We think nothing of posting…"

"David, I had to end my last post before I had a chance to properly finish my thoughts. I think I would liken writing a symphony to writing a novel, and certain film score to writing poetry. One has and takes time to develop. The other must be more…"

"David, I get it. But there are many things involved in writing this kind of music that could be considered crutches. They are part of what defines this style of writing. So what. Too much reverb, too many driving string passages, too thick…"

"Kjell, I agree with other comments about the tempo. Too slow. All ballroom dancing, no matter the step, is a grand fluid and living thing. Couples enjoy each other. They are not locked into a step or tempo. They follow the music, not the other way…"

"As Islam says, this is very nice. But maybe too nice. I think devilish demons might just need lots of percussion to dirty it up a might."

"A true funeral march with all its sorrow and drama that belongs to such a piece. Very brilliant to be able to activate these emotions that I feel when listening. Beautiful. Cheers, Kjell"

"The few times I discuss my hobby with anyone, I say something about writing music for orchestra in a filmscore style. Its not really multi-movement concert music. So this piece is surly the hero coming to his senses and rising from the ashes. And…"

"Stephen, I sometime get the feeling that "atonal" tends to mean dissonance for its own sake, and lack of tonal center just because. Dissonance in your piece always has a purpose. It always points the listener in the direction you want them…"