A short little waltz I wrote in the Sonar 8.5 piano roll using an old orchestral sample library. I actually used a Mellotron flute as is easily heard in the beginning. I just didn't like the sound of the orchestral flute.
Enjoy!
-Rick
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What a lovely waltz piece. I'm sensing a calm mood at the beginning as it develops to a full orchestration with cymbals and everything, before it simmers down in the end. Does a waltz always in 3/4? Can we write in other meters and still call it a waltz, as long as it brings a rhytmic dance feeling to it? I'm curious.
Regards,
Sam
Sam,
Thanks so much for your kind and thoughtful words.
I actually don't know anything about waltzes. Sadly, I can't read music and just make stuff up by ear.
That said, I just Googled "waltz" and read that a waltz can be written in any time signature that can be divided up into threes (which is what I would have guessed).
I love classical music but am primarily a huge Beatles guy. I just like pretending I can compose classical music. :)
In other words, and not to sell myself short or anything, but with regard to a classical piece like this one, I really don't know what I'm doing music theory-wise. *hehehe*
Again, thank you very much, I'm really glad you like it!
-Rick
Rick, nice to see you pop in again. Hope you're keeping well.
This is a superb piece and a big development from earlier works from you. You handle tonal harmony in the most interesting ways.
What's different about this work is the development (it seems to start around 0'30" when the strings take over from the flute) and the sheer adventure of the instrumentation. It can never get boring. That abrupt modulation at 1'17" followed moments later by the drum-roll throws it into something big. Handing the bass over to the tuba nearer the end (2'57") gave it a lightness and brought it out of the orchestral climax nicely for the quiet end.
As for your comment in reply to Sam, you aren't pretending to write classical music. You're writing "classical music." This piece is accomplished all right. A concert piece.
But I've always liked your music. What more to say?
Bests, Dane
Hi Dane,
Thanks for your kind and helpful words. I'm trying to get the old musical juices going but it's been off and on so I thought I'd just go improve an oldie stuffed away in my bag of misfit music.
I can sort of disappear from a scene leaving people wondering "where's Rick?". That's just me.
I tend to get bored and burned out musically, then I'll maybe get distracted and start obsessing on math and science, then to animation, then current events in politics, then to video games, and so on and so on.
I'm admittedly not good with communication. I guess it's the Asperger's. I constantly feel guilty about my keeping emotionally distant from friends and acquaintances, but what are ya gonna do? :)
Here's a YT clip of the quirky comedian Emo Phillips from back in the day. I love this guy. The joke is called "Golden Gate Bridge" and, to me, it's hilariously funny. It kind of sums up my own personal biases towards music by simply substituting the subject of religion with the subject of music. You'll see what I mean if you watch the clip.
The ending punch line for me (if I were the Emo character in the joke) would be changed to; "The Beatles or The Rolling Stones?" and the strangers response being "The Rolling Stones" enrages me and the hilarious ending follows. I don't want to ruin the joke, you'll just have to watch it. I hope it doesn't offend you. I'm an atheist so... well.. I love it. Just know that Emo Phillips is a bit ummm... how should I say?.. weird!
Here's the YT link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l3fAcxcxoZ8
The video is kind of long (over 4 minutes) but well worth the punch line at the end. The actual joke starts at the 2:44 mark in case you just want to skip ahead. Like I said, just substitute religion with music and imagine all the musical biases rather than religious biases that follow.
You are more open minded about music than I am (and BTW that's good on you, for me not so much). So be forewarned that there's a chance that you might not appreciate the joke... especially if you're religious.
Thanks again!
-Rick
Rick, what a brilliant video to open another dreary damp winter day here. Just his style was enough to make me laugh let alone the content.
Seems we have pretty similar views. Whatever is behind "creation" is beyond human comprehension simply because it doesn't have the senses to perceive any "truth". So I'll put my trust in the universe. In a way I'm gnostic in that whatever's there is within - whether I have enough time left to explore it, I don't know.
I spend less time here now. Commitments to work and other hobbies including playing. I suspect I'm near the end of my composing line - for a while anyway. It happens. I'll pack it in for a few years then something could pull me back. I wanted to move forward from the heavier "classical" stuff I was pushing but it gets more difficult all the time. Maybe I have attention deficit or something because I don't do frustration well. And if there's anything about music technology it's frustration - always on steep learning curves. Always having to find work-arounds. Since nothing of mine is likely to be performed live in the foreseeable future I might as well leave it all on paper.
Still, as long as we can get through life with a reasonable amount of satisfaction, all good. I agree with Emo Philips: Humanity is at the end of the line now. Always been a big arrogance to me that people think humanity is the last in the evolutionary line. Many improvements could be made. They say god isn't dead - he's alive and well and concentrating on a less ambitious project.
Again, thanks for the video. It brought a sunny start to the day. What style the guy has!
Dane,
I'm glad you like Emo Phillips. He's an original that's for sure!
I get what you are saying about the musical slump. I just came out of a long one myself so boy do I understand.
I just make music for me. Too damn much work for me to get serious about finding my niche. Screw that scene.
The universe is such a fascinating mystery ain't it though!???
Though by definition I'm an atheist (no belief in a god or gods), I always feel that I have to explain that one doesn't need a "belief" in an imaginary entity to experience the infinite mystery of reality and inner connection of what I would call the continuum. I personally have a deep sense I've always been alive in some way, shape, or form. Reincarnation? I dunno. But that makes way more sense to me than some sky spook who's an authoritarian dictator demanding your love and loyalty. Sheesh, what nonsense.
Anyway, I too will likely soon be on to some other use of my time other than pretending to be a musical composer. It comes in waves. Sometimes it just feels good to ditch the surfboard and lie on the sunny beach with a book on astronomy.
Sounds like you just need some time on the warm sand for a while. Enjoy the freedom my friend!
-Rick
P.S. I wouldn't know what to do with an actual surfboard anymore than a tennis ball because I hate sports... *hehehe*
Rick - this is lovely. I agree with other positive comments about the harmonies and especially the textural developent. The Beatles came to mind instantly. The sudden morphing into Johann Strauss-meets-Richard Rodgers is very, very cool. The bass guitar through-out.... where on earth did you come up with that? Great job! --Ray
Raymond,
Thanks! I'm happy you thought of The Beatles. It was probably the opening Mellotron flutes that reminded you of "Strawberry Fields Forever" my favorite Beatle song BTW. I know those Mellotron flutes make the piece sound a bit quirky but I just couldn't get any orchestral flutes to sound right.
Thanks again! :)
-Rick