Leaderboard

I'm on a microtonal binge-composing streak and next I thought I'd try to use 1/6ths of a tone instead of just 1/4ths. I thought that Musescore Studio would have this capability built in as well but it doesn't. Instead, what I found works, and turned out to be a good enough compromise is using syntonic commas to lower or highten certain notes by about 20 cents. My goal was to use justly tuned minor and major 3rds in this which would necessitate lowering or heightening the equally tempered thirds by about 15 cents. If I had been able to use 1/6ths of a tone, I would be approximating that goal at 16.666 cents. But anyways, I wrote this invention for harpsichord as I've somehow fallen in love with microtonal harpsichord lately. There are in fact harpsichords built that can play microtones. Usually in 31edo they look like this: Edit: upon further listening and reflection I'm wondering whether this might not also have the character of an Allemande - a dance from a Baroque Dance Suite. What do you think? I would love to hear your input, observations, critiques or suggestions! Thanks for listening.

Thank you! I'm glad you liked the piece. Yes, I think I did that, but I can't control how fast the arpeggios are played I think. So maybe that's why it doesn't sound as natural or realistis. But I hope I can get the piece performed. With themes you mean melodies that are recognizeable? Yes, this piece lacks a memorable melody. I wanted to give texture and micro motifs a bigger role and build the whole piece with that alone. That's one of the reasons why it sounds quite different from my previous compositions. I will probably write a few more pieces like this one and create a small set. Of violin and piano miniatures.

Hey Peter, A nice invention! In fact without reading the score I wouldn’t think it’s microtonal , but rather it’s a C major piece played by an out of tuned harpsichord! The dash means up a sixth? I just perceive them as out of tuned sharps or flats haha. Thx for sharing! Henry

Hi @Ivan1791 and welcome back to the forum! From what I can tell you made this piece with Musescore 4. I think you did a good job overall with the rendition. One thing that I noticed that could be improved is the realism of your quadruple stops on the Violin. You can use the arpeggiation symbol usually reserved for keyboard instruments to make the quadruple stops sound more like they would actually sound in an actual performance (since they can't be played all at once the effect is essentially like an arpeggiation). Then you can just select the arpeggiation symbol and hide it in the properties tab, so it doesn't appear in the score (since the player would understand that that's how the stop should be performed anyway and the arpeggiation symbol is redundant in that sense). I'm really glad that all those glissandi and harmonics sound so good! I do like the piece overall but I miss more prominent themes in your music which you always used to include (as far as I remember). Thanks for sharing!

Hey Peter, The 3rd movement sounds really funny, even more so than the Scherzo 2nd movement. The opening motive sounds like a mosquito buzzing sound to me and it's very funny to build up from this funny motive to something very organic and coherent which in fact make it even funnier haha. The microtonal counterpoint makes me the music sounds like a clown who tries to be serious for me! Thx for update! Henry

Hi Alex, I think they are already powerful enough with the horns! Maybe for more depth you can add some trombones? I think maybe it's just the dynamics issue but not the thickness of the strings. Thx for your update! Henry