Graeme Helliwell's Page

"Just back from annual leave to find the fundraising is making progress. There's 30 from me in the pot, and very happily given as well. This is a great site and deserves so much more support. Thinking about it, I wouldn't mind if we had to…"

"I'll happily donate if it keeps the site going. I have no objections if you need to find a cheaper provider, and possibly have to change the layout if it's a necessary consequence. Whilst I don't post much, I am an avid reader and…"

"Well done to everyone who took part and thanks for those who voted and commented, across the competition. It was a hard choice to choose my own favourite this year. Everyone had something unique in their work and I remain envious of the talent…"

"Make it three Gav. I'm in."

"Hi Gav Nice to see you playing with a larger ensemble. I like the general sound of this. No idea where it's going but it really invokes (in my mind anyway) a wander through a gallery or a dinner party with a load of different images, smells and…"

"I could listen to this all night. In asking, where does it go from here, I think it's already on a journey. You could easily fill another 20 minutes of delightful ambient sounds, with or without a huge dynamic range. I suspect you have the…"

"Whenever I reply here, I'm usually in muse mode, so sorry if I'm vague. There are no rules. There is no right way. There. I've said it. There are, however, conventions which can create a familiar structure. And most of them work.…"

"Not sure what kind of feedback you are looking for as there isn't much to comment on at this stage. You have a pleasant little melody (theme and variation of Auld Lang Syne?) but not much else to go on. It's a single line, no counterpoint…"

"I'd suggest there is a clear opportunity for collaboration. There are other discussions on this board about new and old musical and compositional styles. Why is centuries old music played more often than new. The answer being the comfort factor…"

"Oh come on Gav, how low can you get? ..... 6 feet? :-)"

"I suspect he's now decomposing, Gav... ...go on, someone had to say it."

"For me, if a compose writes a marking that can be 90 to 120bpm, then it can be played 90 to 120bpm. If a bpm is specified, then that is as defined as clearly as a C or C#. Some elements remain open to interpretation, some not. Think of your own…"

"A highly informative documentary following one outstanding conductor. However, for me, it misses one of the crucial elements of the preparation. Before taking the podium there can be hours, days and months spent just reading the score. Not just…"

"I'm with Charles on this one. Whilst I fully understand the use of the sword as a percussive tool, it does overpower the music behind it. No problem with leaving it in, just put it further back in the mix, pan around a bit and give it more…"

"I'm interested Gav."

"I'd encourage anyone posting music to pop the score alongside the link. It certainly helps in critical evaluation but isn't always easy to produce, depending on the creative medium. Another risk of putting this level of detail on an online…"