Hello All!
Frankly I'm a little nervous to upload my very first piece of music on this site but here goes!
Again, this is my numero uno and im looking for critique to improve. Any time spent commenting is very appreciated - here's the story:
All I knew was that I wanted to write a happy piece of music. The reason its so short is I did not know how to continue it. I applied all my (non existent) mixing skills. And its made in Garageband with 3rd party instruments.
Soundcloud:
Replies
Hi Peter,
I think the title matches the mood of the piece and overall I like it. As you said, you just kind of stop because you couldn’t figure out where to go next. A couple of ideas occur to me - 1) play the 1st section again and add a solo instrument over it; 2) add a section which contrasts what you have written. If the pizzicato - spiky sound describes the first section, maybe a section of soft flowing chords and harmony might work. Thanks for posting and best to you -
Gav
Hi
I had a listen. Your short tune is cerainly happy, jaunty even! Well done. I'm quite a fan of Garage Band although I no longer use it any more but its great for quickly trying out ideas.
What to do next in a composition is always the question - one of the most common tricks is to repeat the phrase only an octave higher. Eventually though you are going to have to come up with some additional musical ideas. Just keep experimenting, try some strange and unexpected things - repeat the same phrase using different instruments, add more percussion and so on.
Keep on doing what you are doing!
Here's a link to something I did in Garageband about 10 years ago which might give you some pointers- in deciding what to do next I added banjos in a completely different context and different types of percussion and a (not so brilliant) synth solo. The great thing about Garageband is that you can do this quite quickly and painlessly - it has loads of goodies you can add in.
https://soundcloud.com/colindougall/hillbilly-stomp
The only sure way to improve is to keep composing. If you can't think of what to do next with your walk in the park, start another project, you might find this will give you ideas for your current one. You will eventually outgrow Garagband and then the reall fun will start.
Cheers, Colin
Pretty good sound for this early in your journey. I'd like to hear some additional instrumentation used if you expanded it further (perhaps some winds) and then you could come back to the pizz. again later on. Thanks for sharing.
I just wanna give my thanks to all of you for taking your time to write some words down - all the comments and tips are exactly what I signed up for! So thanks again.
You gave me some good ideas on how to prolong this music piece. Im sure I will make "A longer walk in the park" someday, but for now I think I will heed Collin's words and start something new.
Cheers
Very nicely done--I enjoyed this very much:)
Keep on doing what you are doing!
If you can't think of what to do next with your walk in the park, start another project, you might find this will give you ideas for your current one.
Also, these are GREAT ideas Collin!
I think the very best way to compose, is to think in broad strokes first--the most basic, and to me most important is the gesture..simply define in words what you want the piece to do next, and then try to do that, or if needed investigate how to do it then slowly work down to specifics.
Once youre convinced the section youre working on is at its best length, then try to progress it.
At first keep it very general--eg "Id like a fast section next "--already starts defining the music for us. It suggests smaller note values (or a faster metronome mark). So just as a very basic try enter some shorter note values, after the first part youve written--the same note or any notes--and just see if the ideas follow each other. Sometimes a slight adjustment in note value or MM value and it will start taking basic shape. Something might catch your ear--go with that. Or enter parts of the tune you already have in these new note values..try that.
Just keep going with the "what if I tried this" until it works..:)
All the best and great job--thanks so much for sharing! :)
Bob https://soundcloud.com/bob-morabito
Thank you very much Bob! I think I will try and make more use of this "what if I tried this"-approach instead of overthinking things as I have a habit of doing... after all, I'm a big fan of the "learning by screwing around" principle :-)
Cheers
Bob Morabito said:
Youre very welcome Peter--please keep us posted! :)
Bob https://soundcloud.com/bob-morabito
Hey, Peter...
Upbeat and enjoyable, but yes, it needs to be completed. Perhaps use what you have as a rhythm track and add some melody.
Hope this helps.
Michael
Thanks Michael!
Michael Forbes said:
Very fun start, you could go a lot of places with that. I like the thoughts about writing things down, to come up with a "plot" for the piece. And there are lots of things you can do, such as a key change, or a different melody with the same rhythm, or a different rhythm with the same melody. The thing I do the most, is listen to my piece, then when it ends, just try to sing, or hear something in your head, for what would come next. Total non-judgemental, just let it go. Write it down. It might not be perfect. But there's a good chance that it's a starting point.
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