Need feedback on string duo

Hi guys! This is a duo I made some years ago when I lacked some of the knowledge I’ve gained lately. For example there’s no modulation in key,  too little variation and maybe some flaws in terms of voice leading rules.

Is this piece worth recording live or is it too boring?

Will it be a messy viola key to read and play in?

What can be done better in the latter half of the piece?

Take care

Hi. I like it, although it could use some changes.

5 hours ago, Olov said:

Is this piece worth recording live or is it too boring?

For me personally, it's a bit boring.

5 hours ago, Olov said:

Will it be a messy viola key to read and play in?

Shouldn't be, E major isn't that hard on string instruments

5 hours ago, Olov said:

What can be done better in the latter half of the piece?

Yes, this is where I think the majority of the changes could be done. The first half is slow and not moving much even in the viola and I think that's on purpose. One thing that I think can be changed is measures 25-30. I like how the cello becomes more melodic here and less of a bass, but I think this could do with low register viola as a bass, that way the cello gets the spotlight for a few measures. Don't get me wrong, the high register viola you have there is great, I just think it could do with the cello being highlighted in measures 25-30 and the viola being the bass in those measure, you know, for the purpose of contrast. I do this interchange of melody and bass myself in my own Duo Sonata for Violin and Cello.

44 minutes ago, caters said:

Hi. I like it, although it could use some changes.

For me personally, it's a bit boring.

Shouldn't be, E major isn't that hard on string instruments

Yes, this is where I think the majority of the changes could be done. The first half is slow and not moving much even in the viola and I think that's on purpose. One thing that I think can be changed is measures 25-30. I like how the cello becomes more melodic here and less of a bass, but I think this could do with low register viola as a bass, that way the cello gets the spotlight for a few measures. Don't get me wrong, the high register viola you have there is great, I just think it could do with the cello being highlighted in measures 25-30 and the viola being the bass in those measure, you know, for the purpose of contrast. I do this interchange of melody and bass myself in my own Duo Sonata for Violin and Cello.

 

Thank you so much for commenting on my music.

And thank you for the honesty. I agree with you on everything and I've learnt so much since writing this piece in 2014. On my more recent works I modulate and switch roles so that bass can have melody etc. So it's a confirmation of what I thought about what may need to be done, and keeping the cello in the low register is a wise thing. And about the tempo, I'll try to write something more fast paced in the middle.

Maybe I can work something out and upload it again to see if it's a keeper. Let's see

Its not boring in my opinion. Your melodies are always very good and I enjoy your music. I think if you were to revise the piece I would make the bass more interesting in the first section by walking in 1/4 notes or at least use the double stops throughout the first section to fill out the harmony and create more of a chorale vibe. Also I think the piece lacks articulation. Its definitely worth a revision.

Y

On 12/3/2020 at 5:46 PM, Papageno said:

Its not boring in my opinion. Your melodies are always very good and I enjoy your music. I think if you were to revise the piece I would make the bass more interesting in the first section by walking in 1/4 notes or at least use the double stops throughout the first section to fill out the harmony and create more of a chorale vibe. Also I think the piece lacks articulation. Its definitely worth a revision.

 

On 12/2/2020 at 7:41 PM, caters said:

Hi. I like it, although it could use some changes.

For me personally, it's a bit boring.

Shouldn't be, E major isn't that hard on string instruments

Yes, this is where I think the majority of the changes could be done. The first half is slow and not moving much even in the viola and I think that's on purpose. One thing that I think can be changed is measures 25-30. I like how the cello becomes more melodic here and less of a bass, but I think this could do with low register viola as a bass, that way the cello gets the spotlight for a few measures. Don't get me wrong, the high register viola you have there is great, I just think it could do with the cello being highlighted in measures 25-30 and the viola being the bass in those measure, you know, for the purpose of contrast. I do this interchange of melody and bass myself in my own Duo Sonata for Violin and Cello.

 

Thanks a lot guys for taking time listening and commenting on my duo!

I've decided to bury this song since it takes too much work to make something good of this one. I tried and had good ideas but discovered I really missed a fourth or at least a third voice to make decent harmonies. I tried using double stops and it works for some extent but not for a whole piece. I also got an idea for another B part but the foundation wasn't strong enough.

I'm making a brand new string quartet right now and I really like it!

Thanks again, i appreciate it!

I don't know about a live recording, especially if you have to pay for it. If you have friends that are willing to play it, then I don't see why not. If you do have to pay for a live recording, I would compose more music so that way you get the most for your money, a minute and a half is not a long time. At the current moment, its not worth getting a live performance, it would be too costly for too little(again, unless its free).

This is a personal taste for me, but when you use the double stops, I'm expecting a build up of energy, but it just disappears. I would like to see either a build up or remove the double stops, or maybe write out of dynamic instructions that makes it more harmonic rather than a build up. (Dynamics should be written out anyways.)

I enjoyed it, its a good piece, but I would like more material though...

13 hours ago, i(don't)suckatcomposing said:

I don't know about a live recording, especially if you have to pay for it. If you have friends that are willing to play it, then I don't see why not. If you do have to pay for a live recording, I would compose more music so that way you get the most for your money, a minute and a half is not a long time. At the current moment, its not worth getting a live performance, it would be too costly for too little(again, unless its free).

This is a personal taste for me, but when you use the double stops, I'm expecting a build up of energy, but it just disappears. I would like to see either a build up or remove the double stops, or maybe write out of dynamic instructions that makes it more harmonic rather than a build up. (Dynamics should be written out anyways.)

I enjoyed it, its a good piece, but I would like more material though...

 

 

Thank you so much for commenting on my piece.

Good point about double stops. I'll have that in mind when writing. I rarely use them, but I felt the need for the harmonics. As you see I decided to not go on with this particular song, since I need to redo the total structure. Better to write something entirely different with at least 3 or 4 voices/parts.

Thanks again.