Simplicity...

Do you consider simplicity to be an ideal for your composition?

How does one define simplicity?

I define simplicity as clarity, both of orchestration and musical thought. I hate scores that have thousands of notes playing as loud as possible (I could name some key composers here but I don't want to offend;))

Simplicity in music does not mean simple music, but its about being very clear and having the confidence in every note you write so that if one of those notes sounds all on its own, it is as magical as 50 notes.

Simplicity in music is one of the hardest things in the world, anybody can write thousands of notes at the same time.

Good point, Franzman. Okay so how about this:

Simplicity in rhythm might be that of a dance, e.g. waltz or tango or march , where there is a fixed rhythm that never changes. Harmonic simplicity might be just using the simple basic I, IV, and V chords.

To answer the question - no. I think the simplicity (albeit vaguely defined) of a piece should match the theme and scope of the piece. An orchestral suite depicting the defence of Leningrad in WW2 and a nursery rhyme will require vastly different degrees of simplicity.

On the other hand, to qualify my negative response, seeking simplicity (or complexity) as an end in itself, is probably not a valid compositional approach.

I agree with Hymnspace on clarity.

There was a time when I felt my music needed to be complicated to be good. The piano pieces of Satie (Gymnopedies and Gnossiennes in particular) were a revelation once I really appreciated them. Great music didn't need to be complicated, WOW. So now I don't necessarily strive for simplicity, but I never feel that I need to "fix" something just because it's simple. If it works, it works, simplicity can be a composers friend.

I've become very attached to the notion of simplicity as of late. Aside from writer's block, the trap I most frequently fall into while composing is that of "over-thinking" everything. What seems to work best for me is sticking initially to material which absolutely needs to be there to imply what I want to say, then later returning to embellish it somewhat.

It's a bit like finding a sweet spot between writing something interesting but also avoiding punching above your weight and outright failing.

Those with greater technical prowess will be able to pull off complex writing in a more convincing manner, however.

How does one define simplicity?

Uncomplicated

Uncomplicated

So there's no such thing as complicated simplicity?

Are you kidding?

I suppose a piece can be simple and complex at the same time but I wouldn't call it a complicated simplicity. That just creates confusion.

I suppose :P

And yes, I was kidding.. I just forgot a smiley

I suppose a piece could be rhythmically simple and harmonically complex, or vice versa :).

meh, "goodness" is a careful balance of simple and complex.

all simple is boring.

and honestly, all complex is just as boring.

balance immediacy and depth.

the only answer to this "question".

Simplicity is key, no matter how complex your subject. Write only what needs to be written. What could be more simple?

in short, no i don't. simplicity is limiting; how can you create choas, confusion, panic, while being simple at the same time?

in short, no i don't. simplicity is limiting; how can you create choas, confusion, panic, while being simple at the same time?

You're confusing 'simple' with 'basic' ... Some of the simplest concepts can result in surprising and complex music.

So there's no such thing as complicated simplicity?

That's irrelevant, the question was, "how does one define simplicity?"

The answer to the question is simple, Uncomplicated

Complicated is the opposite of simple, hence you have a simple answer

Simple is like different to everyone. Though if you find a piece so clear that its seems you composed it yourself, than it's probably simple. If it sounds like a god damned preschool tune, then yea, too simple. If you remember it easily, then yea its simple.

Simple can be good. Simple can be bad. So go lay an egg and do a backflip. Everyones watching.

I also agree with Qccowboy.

Is the word "simple" starting to lose it's meaning to you guys after reading the whole topic? :P

Yes. Maybe simplicity is something that can only be explained in less than two forum posts? Anymore than that and you've moved beyond into some kind of complexity.

Simple is like different to everyone. Though if you find a piece so clear that its seems you composed it yourself, than it's probably simple. If it sounds like a god damned preschool tune, then yea, too simple. If you remember it easily, then yea its simple.

Not necessarily true

Bach's tocatta and Fugue in Dm is a fantastic piece, but the last thing it is is simple. However I find it quite memorable, that and other pieces are quite complex, however they are very memorable

So that's really kind of a inconsistent thing to say that because it's memorable it's simple

Will, are those caffeinated kittens or decaf?

Will, are those caffeinated kittens or decaf?

Off topic but they're Caffeinated :P