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Hello! I recently started writing this Nocturne for my final project in my Music Appreciation class. I wanted to know your thoughts on the A section so far. As you can tell there will be a contrasting B section that hasn't been completed. But what can I improve on this piece? Nocturne_in_E_major.mp3 I FORGOT TO ADD "ADAGIO" TO THE TOP PRETEND ITS THERE.

well you don’t know me - am I expected to? "I’m older than you" If you say so. "and have greatest regard for my teachers of the past and for the luminaries I seek to marinate my mind with." Mine taught me how to use the tools but not how to create unique work. My important teachers were dead or very old when I arrived on the planet. DAWs. I use Reaper because it has an exceptionally good midi editor for its price as a private, non-commercial composer, along with very good audio editing. Like other DAWs it has its complexities and its failings. Trying to get a detailed specification for any DAW is difficult and probably best to look at its user manual (at least the index where it should tell you what it can do). Notation software: people here speak highly of Musescore's latest incarnation. It comes with its own sound sample library which produces some pretty good results. I do not use notation software for the actual process of composing. For engraving (preparing the final copy) I use Dorico. It has strengths and weaknesses. Basically I don't like notation software but use it if I have to produce a score (because individual parts can be extracted). So I go from a paper draft into the DAW, make adjustments then create a midi export which can be picked up by Dorico. .

You are welcome and that make sense. However i would recommend that each piece should be able to be a standalone piece yet continuously work together further moving the drama forward for a more impact full listening experience. James Horner does this for example very well In his film scores such as Krull, Star trek the wrath of khan, and others.

Hi @Guardian25! I think the trills can be fixed and redered better if you use the Musesounds Violin instead of the MS Basic soundfont! I think whenever Musescore renders a trill with the MS Basic soundfonts, it just alternates between the two notes as quickly as possible which does not sound good and results in a very robotic sound, like you said. But if you use Musesounds it will be much more humanized and realistic sounding imo! I think there are some notes that sound really wrong to me! Meas. 18 & 19 - the G#'s sound really bad to my ear! I think if you kept them as G naturals, it might sound better because an E minor chord is more diatonic to the key than a major one. Also at measure 24, the B natural sounds out of place to me as well, since the key has a Bb in it - I think a Bb would fit much better (but it's just my opinion and you are the composer and are free to do as you wish of course). Thanks for sharing! Peter

after a quick listen if you want some feedback I think this needs more contrast in terms of instrumentation at least like what happens at around 1 minutes and 40 seconds. Nuances in all aspects is good for the ear but if you stay to long for the same instrumentation, tonality, what ever it may become boring for the ear as is quickly get used to the sound. Instead of the Guitar (i think) Having the main theme always try to give it to other instruments. Let them have sort of conversation so the speak where maybe the strings have the main theme then the Guitar becomes background element and then the Guitar takes over instead of mostly having the theme. I just think switching the main focus here and there could improve it overall. Maybe also some Rythmic variations as the Rythm or tempo seem to be constant through out. Maybe a few Nuances here could help as well. I also think that the piece starts too sudden maybe spend a few minutes building up to it. It feels sort of like starting at a climax at the piece. If you want some listening recommendation i would recommend Mozart - Jupiter fourth movement (as it demonstrates what i am talking about regarding instruments having a conversation) Maybe some music from Ramin Djawadi some of his horror music? Like Slender Man, Game of thrones? Maybe Penderecki - Threnody for inspiration. Overall i think the concept is really promising. Good work.

The overall sketch has been completed minus a couple parts where I need to change some stuff. So it’s almost completely done at least for my presentation in class. I plan to extend it later though. I do play piano but unfortunately playing this is too high of a level for me. But someday I’ll be able to perform it. I know I will.

Hi there, I've had so much frustration with orchestral stuff recently that I gave in to write a couple of solo pieces, this being one. It's simple, fairly tonal and explores a less familiar instrument. Alas, though, the samples available were quite limited so it isn't as adventurous as I'd have liked. Even so, I'm hopeless at writing and developing melody so any criticism good or bad or ideas for improvement in future would be gratefully received. And if you can give it a listen, many thanks.