Viola and Cello Duet

Hi,

This is a duet I wrote for Viola and Cello.  Any guidance on notation, rhythm, harmony, etc. is welcome.

Thanks in advance....

Have to admit, I’m not such a fan of the melodic style. And the accompaniment, in the opening section I don’t think compliments the melody either. 
 

perhaps this improves as you develop the piece, though. But still, I think your melodic writing could benefit from improvement. As for harmony, I did spot some parallel 5th, which should really occur in two part writing. 
 

in general, I feel there is a lack of cohesiveness between the two instruments. Also, there isn’t really much in the way of memorable melodic material.

why, also, did you choose to end the piece with solo cello only? What were your reasons for this? 

Thanks for your reply, I appreciate the time you took.

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 I think your melodic writing could benefit from improvement

There is no question that all aspects of my composition need improvement. 

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I feel there is a lack of cohesiveness between the two instruments.

Can you be a little more specific?  In my mind this is a divisive piece.  My attempt is an argument, or at least a spirited discussion.  The instruments can't just parrot each other.  I tried to keep the two instruments diverging and coming back to together.  Perhaps I was too successful in the diverging.

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there isn’t really much in the way of memorable melodic material.

Yes.

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why, also, did you choose to end the piece with solo cello only? What were your reasons for this?

It's an argument. The piece was at an end and the cello had something more to say. 

After reviewing some of the pieces here I realized I am waaayyy out of my league.  But please bear with me.

The first order of business is to improve the sound.  I was using the default instruments on my software.  It was ugly and harsh.

I invested in some sound and now it is much, much better.  However, the dynamics were are all wrong.

Here is a new version with the updated sound, altered dynamics, and an altered beginning. 

53 minutes ago, OpusDopus said:

Thanks for your reply, I appreciate the time you took.

There is no question that all aspects of my composition need improvement. 

 

Can you be a little more specific?  In my mind this is a divisive piece.  My attempt is an argument, or at least a spirited discussion.  The instruments can't just parrot each other.  I tried to keep the two instruments diverging and coming back to together.  Perhaps I was too successful in the diverging.

Yes.

It's an argument. The piece was at an end and the cello had something more to say. 

 

 

After reviewing some of the pieces here I realized I am waaayyy out of my league.  But please bear with me.

The first order of business is to improve the sound.  I was using the default instruments on my software.  It was ugly and harsh.

I invested in some sound and now it is much, much better.  However, the dynamics were are all wrong.

Here is a new version with the updated sound, altered dynamics, and an altered beginning. 

 

MP3

 

 

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• DuetNumber3VC

1:45

 

 

5:31

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DuetNumber3VC

 

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• DuetNumber3VC

Thanks for the clarification. I would recommend using MuseScore4 for good sound quality, which is free to use. 
 

We are all learning on here. I don’t think there is anyone here that will say they have fully mastered their craft. For many of us it is a lifelong journey. 

Some honesty is important, I feel, when considering the works of others. While I commend you for completing a piece of this length and sharing here, I would recommend you start on smaller projects to first develop better practice in each of the necessary domains (melody, harmony, modulation, form etc). 
 

Is there a particular style of music you warm to in history? Which period do you like the most?