Feedback for my piano composition

Hello everyone 

This is my first post here I am hoping to get some reviews / feedback on one of my piano compositions. I'm a self taught pianist and I learnt music mostly through listening to and doing cover of other pieces.

I would like to take my compositions to the next level but I feel my skills have plateaued somewhat,  it's hard to figure what's missing or what could be improved on my own.

This is my latest piece and is roughly where I am in terms of overall skill.

Thanks !

Hello @Eric N,

Welcome to the forum!

I like the circle of fifth pattern you are using throughout while building different rhythmic and melodic pattern above it, this gives a sense of growing during the piece. The feeling is cool and chic for me!

6 hours ago, Eric N said:

I would like to take my compositions to the next level but I feel my skills have plateaued somewhat,  it's hard to figure what's missing or what could be improved on my own.

What style do you wanna write? I think this one will a pretty good piece for a pop style piece! Of course you can try introducing some modulations instead of staying in A minor throughout, but I really think the simple harmonic pattern does justice to the style of the piece! Also what do you wanna achieve with different writing skill set? More intense emotion or some thoughts you wanna express? Thinking this may help boost your composing too!

Thx for joking and sharing your music!

Henry

Hi @Eric N, welcome to the forum

I think the best way to improve is to look at examples of composers you admire and want to sound like, analyse their pieces and take note of the things they do that make you like his music and then apply it. (I also recommend a similar process to avoid sounding like composers you don’t like)

Learning music theory and improvising always works to improve your music 

Maybe you could consider adding pedal and dynamics for a better effect.

Thanks all for the feedback, one occasional issue I've been having is meandering, too many musical ideas in one piece and no obvious form.  I don't think I've had this issue in this above composition but below is a good example where I have meandered. I'll try recomposing this piece again and ask for feedback to confirm if the form is sound.

Hello @Eric N!

I enjoyed this piece!  I think it has a certain melancholy but yet upbeat vibe to it which I associate with Japanese Anime music.  I love the mismatch - it sounds like it could be a song if the melody were sang by someone.  It could also work with a solo instrument playing the melody and piano accompaniment.  What I do notice about your writing though is that you don't seem to use any damper pedal and you've rendered this somewhat dry and without reverb.  I think those elements could add a lot to your music if you use them tastefully and contrast them with each other.  Thanks for sharing!

Peter

Hello @Eric N ! I do think

9 hours ago, PeterthePapercomPoser said:

it sounds like it could be a song if the melody were sang by someone.

Have you considered penning lyrics down for this piece? Since it is well rooted as

On 1/9/2024 at 7:57 PM, Henry Ng Tsz Kiu said:

a pop style piece

and also with such a title?

You also may wanna decide on a chorus and/or climax? And adding more to the articulations and dynamics to add nuances to your piece?

Thanks for sharing!

On 2/1/2024 at 8:38 PM, PeterthePapercomPoser said:

Hello @Eric N!

I enjoyed this piece!  I think it has a certain melancholy but yet upbeat vibe to it which I associate with Japanese Anime music.  I love the mismatch - it sounds like it could be a song if the melody were sang by someone.  It could also work with a solo instrument playing the melody and piano accompaniment.  What I do notice about your writing though is that you don't seem to use any damper pedal and you've rendered this somewhat dry and without reverb.  I think those elements could add a lot to your music if you use them tastefully and contrast them with each other.  Thanks for sharing!

Peter

 

Hello @PeterthePapercomPoser Thanks for you feed back, here is a sample with pedal. Needs a little bit more adjustment though I've yet to master music software to do all these effects.