This was one of a set of three pieces in the style of Chopin that I wrote back in 1980 as part of my music degree.
See other discussion post for the Nocturne
Not sure what happened to the 3rd piece (a Mazurka)
Score attached
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OK, I have a question. When you wrote/composed this piece, did you start with a score? I mean did you put it done on paper (scoring software) first, or did you perform this on a keyboard controller and record the midi into your DAW to create a score?
And by the way, it is really good. I know that sounds like a pretty stupid assessment, but I enjoyed it, and cannot comment as to it's content because of my limited musical education.
In 1980, DAWs, keyboard controllers and MIDI were only a mere twinkle in Bill Gates' eye.
I seem to remember otherwise. Before there was a midi standard, we were creating midi files and porting them into various recorders to capture the events. It was back in the middle to late seventies when this was taking place.
But anyway, I'm still interested in how you go about composing such a fine piece of music. I have often wondered if many of you start with a written score?
If I remember correctly the process was...
..as part of the final degree we (students) were given x amount of time (I can't remember how long but I don't think it was more than a few weeks at most) to write 3 pieces for piano (Waltz, Nocturne, Mazurka) in the style of Chopin (or we could have chosen to write 3 lieder in the style of Schubert, but I chose the Chopin).
I wrote the 3 pieces on manuscript paper sitting at an upright piano (i.e. the old fashioned way) - no software, no electronic keyboards, no MIDI (which I don't think appeared until the early 1990s)
Christopher Mracna said:
Midi has in fact been around for qite a while
MIDI (an acronym for "musical instrument digital interface) as its name was ultimately chosen, was first announced to the public in 1982, and by as early as January 1983 actually appeared on an instrument; the Sequential Prophet-600. Roland's JX3P followed hot on its heels, was ‘connected' successfully, and a new chapter in the history of electronic musical instruments was born. In 1983, the MIDI Specification was only about 8 pages long and defined only the most basic instructions one might want to send between two synthesizers -- things like how to play notes and how to control the output volume, etc. Very quickly, the arrival of this ‘common (digital) language' created demand for new MIDI messages that enabled greater control of synthesizers but also for control of other recording gear and even stage lighting. MIDI also enabled computers to be applied to the music-making process. Although the way that MIDI works has not changed since 1983 (also almost preposterously inconceivable), the MIDI protocol has grown to encompass such additional concepts as: standardized MIDI song files ( General MIDI , 1991)
David said that MIDI didn't come in until the 1990s, so I just thought it was of interest. We were discussing what was available when he took his degree in 1980.
The Nocturne can be seen/heard here
Not sure what happened to the Mazurka (it may have been lost)
Fredrick zinos said: