hornmasta

My English is not as good as it should be, apparently... I wasn't talking just about Beethoven, he is just an example of what I mean. Of course music is a living thing that evolves with time and is a big part of development of one culture. But I still think that saying that classical music has nothin to do with rock or pop etc. music is wrong. Something that I think contributed to development of new music was the development of new instruments (like electric guitars) with a brand new sound. And of course talented musicians were looking for a new way to use them... One thing that I can't get past when talking about musical history is this: in every culture (Egipt, Rome, Greece,...) music evolved. First it was a domain of priests and there were very strict rules about what music must be like. And with development of each culture music was becoming more and more diverse, more and more free... And at the end of each culture this was most apparent, music incorporated influences from other cultures and so on. And looking at our culture you can notice, that the music of our time is more diverse, more free of every rules (do you think that a recording of sounds from the street is music?) as it ever was. So it makes me thinking - is our culture slowly coming to an end? (and I don't mean that as the end of the world or sth like that) I know that is a philosophical question but anyway.

Peter_W., I agree with your opinion...

Of course it is valid! If those great composers wouldn't break the rules of composition that existed at that time, the music wouldn't evolve and modern composers would still write like those in the 15th century. I think that music is something that is evolving through time. And during this evolution, new and new "species" evolve (with this I mean new music styles)... And just as Beethoven was a rebel of his time who was breaking the rules of composition, so were the Sex Pistols, they were just breaking new rules of what is appropriate in music...

madman, you probably mean hautbois. It comes from the french words haut=high and bois=wood.

I think that every key has it's own "colour" of sound. Try to play some chord progressions in different keys and you will probably notice that although you play the same progression, it sounds different. For example: I think that C-major sounds kind of plain, simple; A-major sounds happy, childish; E-major sounds passionate, like fire, D-major is somewhat calm, E-flat sounds bright, D-flat has some depth that I cannot trully explain and so on... The best thing is to play in different keys and try to connect them to a feeling...

long note in soft dynamics could be possible with the 4 players on the flutes.... No, don't give the same long note to 4 flutes - they'll NEVER be in tune. ;)

I was looking for the right "colour" of the sound. And I think that D-flat is the right one - if it would be in let's say B-flat, it would (in my opinion) sound too bright, too shallow (I can't find the right word, hope ypu know what I mean). First modulation is to E-flat, to make the theme brighter (plus, it moves to a higher octave, which also adds some brightness). Then I modulated to g-minor to get some contrast, some depth. And then to A-flat which I think is more joyful and back to D-flat to complete the journey back home... I know it is harder to play in a key with many flats, but I find it sometimes easier, because the black keys give me a reference point (don't know if it is the right word) so that I don't get lost on the keyboard (I'm not a good pianist).

last life, thank you for your comment. I'll try to make it more iteresting, although I wanted some sort of repetitive feeling with the first theme. Something like night sky where the stars seem to stand still... Anyway, as I said, I'll revise the score, try to make it more "listener-friendly"... Thanks again!!!

This is my first nocturne. Well, actually it is my first finished work... That is why I would really appreciate every comment that I receive - because I want to get better at composing...I thought of a theme in may, wrote it and then just left it. This weekend I was inspired by the night sky, used the theme, changed it a bit and voila, this is it. Hope you like it! :)p.s.: The score is a little messy, havent had time to revise it... Nocturno No. I

I listened to this piece a couple of times and I must admit; every time I like it more... Very beautiful piece, kind of Chopin-style, beautiful melody and I also like the harmonies. Keep it up!!!

I must say that I really liked the tune - played it a couple of times... I think the length is OK - maybe it could even be a couple of seconds longer... I can really see this tune as a theme for a TV show (some comedy, I guess). Keep up the good work!!!

I would recomend Walter Piston's Orchestration. In the book, he presents all of the instruments, first 100 pages or so are about strings... There you can find a lot of info about the instruments, ranges, etc. and a few tips what to write to each instrument, so that the musician is able to play it...

I must say that I like it very much... It is written in a somewhat classical style (I like that, I'm not a big fan of modern experimenting)... I can really imagine the scene that you described (both with words and music). It would be very interesting if this would be a part of a some kind of a ballet show... Very good work!!!

sabiansoldier, thank you for your reply... I'll try to make it a bit more interesting (especially the harmonies). I wanted the melody to be a bit childish in the part from 1:45 to 2:30... I'll work on the development section... The piece isn't finished yet - I'm planning on writing some more music, a cadenza and then a good end... ;) Anyway, at this point every comment comes in handy... Thank you!

Hello! I'm a horn player (23 y.o.) from Slovenia. I'm studying horn at the secondary school for music. I was always interested in composing my own music and this year I actually started to write. I must say, that I don't know anything about counterpoint, but I have some knowledge od harmony (this is the second year I study it at school). My first composition is a Fantasy for violin and orchestra in D, dedicated to my girlfriend, who is a violin player. It is not finished yet, it's missing the cadenza and some more music... I hope you like it. I would be really honored if you could give me some opinions how to make the piece better. Every critique is more than welcome... Thank you! link to the piece on youtube: fantasy for violin and orchestra p.s.: sorry, my english is not so good... :S