Update on LMG

Hey guys! It's Dustin! I haven't been here for a while but I thought I ought to drop a post here and give you all an update on how my musical is going.

I think this video can give you all a taste (we are now starting the blocking):

I am feeling pretty good about this project right now!

You should all subscribe to this youtube channel and show your support! I will be posting at least one new rehearsal every week.

Oh, by the way, some feedback on the music would be nice (just for the general orchestration). I like it, but I want to know what you all like about it and what you think could be improved. This is mostly for Matches and the chorus finale. Should I post mus files?

I have been putting hours into this and no one has ANYTHING to say about it!? Not one thing?

Welcome to YC :) A place where people spend more time cursing in the discussion forums, argueing about God, masturbation and chillies in the Off-Topic and where admins think that changing the rules will make people comment more.

For one thing, no one asked you to put all these hours into this project.

Secondly, if I was you I wouldn't care much about the reception of the piece (or comments on it) by people from YC. It seems you're doing a nice production there and have already a lot of work done with musicians, teachers and singers (and presumably sets in the future). So get your work appreciated by the people around you, the people who know you, who know your music, who know your players.

I'm sorry to be so abrupt, but I've been a bit annoyed by members of the staff lately (and some other members).

I've watched the video, although I haven't commented. It's sad that no one has commented within that month, though. I will comment when I get back from school (I really need to go get a book).

Take care and good luck with the performance of the piece :D

Dustin -

Welcome to the world of composition! I have asked people OUTSIDE of YC to look at pieces of mine. You know what? Some have not looked at them for a year or several months and I have pestered them once in awhile.

If this work is dear to you place it not in the Composer's headquarters but into one of the forums. In this case I'd offer major works.

Also, there are tons of works being put up every week. Add in that each of us has our own works and you may see why things get neglected.

My advice -

The shoutbox can be your friend if you avoid the silly arguments and don't get too caught up in idle chatter (I am guilty of the latter). Just talk to some people there and ask them to look at it. If I do not have time to review a piece I ask to pm the link to me to review at a later date.

Other ways? Comment on a variety of works - comment on the Lyrics, Piano, Chamber, Solo, Electronics... etc. You don't have to be an expert on them all and you should state that and let that guide your review but you are a musician with fine ears! We all appreciate a good set of finely tuned, open ears. Also, please offer some substance to your review. SSC offered a great guideline for posting your work and ways to review. Short version of it is a) for posters of new works say something a little more about this work - what is the story , what are somethings you did etc b) for reviewers and peers - please offer something of substance - eg I didn't care for it because I didn't like your harmonies is not very helpful and although the "oh man this great - nice and crunchy" is great to hear it is a little too vague. What exactly did you like about it - specify a particular set of sounds or rhythm or timbre ot word painting.

Oh, and a score of some sort really helps too.

So hang in there Dustin.

Now my review -

Starts off promising but you are too tied to the rhythmic riff/ tick tock motive at times. I love how it fades at the end but does the lead singer have to reinforce this motie so often? I would think a more sustained rhythm and rhythmic or melodic interplay would relieve the monotony of it. Also I think the lead's vocal line would come through the instrumental accompaniment if the vocal line were periodically 1 or 2 whole steps higher or your high points were timed to come through the orchestral texture better (eg when the orchestra is at rest or thinner texture). Note - this particular problem may stem only from the way it is recorded and may work much better in live performance.

Also, the men's chorus is a good touch though there is one sudden word belted out I thought out of place. I think this belted word belongs a little later on - closer to the fade of the tick tocks.

Overall very good work and shows to be a promising work.

PS. I do not know much about choreography but the blocking could be a little smoother it seems - mostly in the way the guys scatter around the female lead - I'd suggest looking at some of the classic blocking done in West Side Story - not the overly dramatic struts and dance movements but the stage placement of the characters was great in that work.

Hello Dustin!

There are two things I don't like: the moves/acting part and the monologue at the beginning. I think you should have those two people who are approached by the match girl at the beginning say a short line. Other than that, I think you've done so far a great job. I am not very knowledgeable as far as musicals are concerned, but there is something in your music and the whole atmosphere that reminded me of the opening scene from Disney's "The beauty and the beast" where Belle is out on her village's steets conversing with people.

Alexandros

Beauty and the beast

Hey, thanks for your feedback guys. I have performed the show now and am going to post it in the Major Works section when I get home tonight. :)

You will all be impressed! (I am...)