The Ray of Light (single melody)

Solo melodies are harder for me... I usually think of music "in harmony".

Hey I really enjoyed this. I played it for my daughter and she loved it as well 

44 minutes ago, LostSamurai said:

Hey I really enjoyed this. I played it for my daughter and she loved it as well 

 

Thanks! Interesting that she likes it because it's not tonal. Section A is based on a pitch set (fixed series of intervals) and section B on a pentatonic traditional scale (Kumoi).

Very cool! Writing for a solo instrument is really difficult for everyone I think, but this is beautiful flute writing. The traditional Japanese scales are some of my favorites to experiment with. I love the Japanese sound and it's really neat to see you working with it as well. Are you familiar with Toru Takemitsu's work? This piece reminds me of him somewhat.

Also, what is the significance of the photo on the bottom of the last page?

I personally wasn't a fan. It lacked a little of cohesive glue in my opinion. Maybe take it with a grain of salt since everyone else seemed to like it fine.  Sorry, friend.
Outlining a scale is always a good way to establish harmony with solo voice. An easy way to do this is through longer strands of grace notes, since our minds will perceive the main note as a passing of the previous "chord" especially in a big echoey hall.
Cheers.

Yes, I love Takemitsu.

On the other hand, I used "other" scales many times. I'm a bit tired of major and minor.

Perhaps that lack of cohesive glue feeling comes from the "arrythmia", since the time signature changes everywhere.

Regarding the grace notes... It depends. When I use this kind of scales I try to use only the notes it has, otherwise it's easy to make it undefined.

The picture goes well with the title. He's a friend of mine...