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I composed this piece last year, but I hope you enjoy. The piece is relatively straight-forward and uncomplicated, and it is about dusk (gloaming).

Hello! This is my first time attempting to compose a piece. It's quite short (lasting only ~15 secs), and that's because I really didn't know what to do. Other than watching almost nothing other than a few music theory videos on YouTube, I actually know nothing regarding music, so this might be quite amateurish! Please do tell me how I could improve on this.

Nice piece. It reminds me a bit of Ferde Grofé. Cheers, Jer

A lot of countries call bars "measures" (that might help with some confusion - in the UK they're bars!) If you were to have a tie, than there couldn't be any other notes between the start and the end. (Here there is a C between the Ds) Currently what you have is a slur , a curved line across different notes which means to play them smoothly joined (legato). I was meaning the fourth one, here: The last two notes sound a little odd coming after a large jump - but this is personal preference! Probably easiest if I add some more pictures! Just now: There's a large jump between the second-last note and the chord after it which can sound a little awkward. My proposed solution (maybe this isn't needed, but I'll suggest it anyway): The top stave (staff) here would be taken by the right hand, the bottom the left hand. See how I've moved the low D into the left hand, then put a C after it to sound at the same time as the chord? This means that scale line flows well and the chord can sit on top of the bass note. This was what I was trying to put across with that convoluted writing! And no need to apologise, you're just starting to learn! So, the two numbers you have on the music at the very start (4/4 for you), are called the time signature and tell the musician how long each bar is. (There are many different types of time signature, and you can change during a piece if you want - I'll link some theory resources below!) The top number of any time signature tells you how many beats there are in each bar, and the bottom number tells you the "value" of each beat. You have four quarter notes in each bar (crotchets in the UK) - 4/4 ! Some different time signatures: The top number tells you the number of beats (here all my notes are quarter notes, bottom number is 4) A whole note is worth 4 quarter note beats, so you can only have one in a bar (measure) of 4/4. Theory resources: https://www.musictheory.net/lessons - This site starts right at the beginning and contains its own exercises! It also goes up to fairly advanced theory but the "basics" section should cover what you'll need to know to begin composing. Some books: https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=music+theory&sprefix=music+theory&ref=nb_sb_ss_ts-doa-p_1_12 The ABRSM "Discovering Music Theory" series is pretty good. Also try "Music Theory for Dummies" for a little more humorous approach! From there, "Music Composition for Dummies" can help you improve (speaking from experience) If any other forum member wants to add to this list, please do! aMC

Hello and welcome to the forum!! This is a really lovely melody, shows a lot a potential for a first piece! Usually in piano music we will find two staves - one for the right hand, one for the left. Maybe splitting the melody between the two hands could make it a little more natural. My main comment is with the large jumps. In the second bar the notes outline a chord, but in the fourth the step from E to D is a little awkward. This could be another instance where the left hand is useful: it could play a low C in bar five so there is a descending scale of E D C and the chord will sit nicely on top. (Horribly long sentence - if you don't understand what I mean just ask and I'll try and reword it!) In the last four bars you don't quite seem to have the right lengths of note to fill each bar, but you have used a notation software? Did you make some notes/rests invisible before making the pdf? Overall comments: the main melody presented right at the start is strong. For moving forward, think about introducing some simple left hand and just keep composing! You've definitely made a great start and it's encouraging to see an emphasis on melody in a beginner composition! Thank you for having the courage to share your first ever composition, aMC edit: I forgot to mention: about the forum: we'd love it if you review some other people's works (although, at the time of writing, you've only been a member for an hour)! You'll be more likely to get reviews of your own works as well. aMC

The initial idea for the work began about 10 years ago. I wrote a rough sketch at that time. However, my composing skills were limited ... I just began to put things together. I revisited the work about a year or so ago. The opening theme is the girl's theme. I began the work with her in mind and her journey. So it's programmatic music. I am pleased you enjoyed the composition. I have another programmatic piece which I will post. Thanks for the listen~!