Another short piece - would love some feedback!

There's a lot of good ideas in this short piece. But it seems like the ideas change too soon and too abruptly. The opening statement was great. It was clear vibe and melodic line with potential. It was good that you repeated it, but it's a literal repeat so there's no development. Then just 8 bars in the idea was gone until the very end of the piece where it didn't feel much connected to the opening. Felt like that opening statement could have been repurposed more throughout the piece. I probably recognize the hurdle because it's the one I also struggle to overcome.

 

Hi Caleb, sorry you haven't gotten more feedback. The world is so inundated with music that it takes a lot of skill and originality to break through the background noise. Your piece is technically just fine. Nothing wrong with it at all. However, you might get better feedback if you could specify what you are trying to achieve. For example, are you trying to write for media, develop a piano method book, or simply writing for the joy of being creative (that is what I do)?

Even if you just writing for fun, it is helpful to set yourself some goals. Improve the pianistic character, or widen your harmonic pallet, etc. With some idea of your goals and objectives, perhaps better feedback will be possible.

It is a nice piece and there is nothing at all wrong with it.

 

Hi Caleb,

I just discovered your piece and here is what the non-pianist I am thought about it.

My only problem with it revolves around the last section of the piece. If I summarise the structure, it is an AABCC where both repeated sections are exact copies of the originals. The repeated A section is flowing fine, but I think the second C section is in great need of some variations to take the emotional arc forward. As it stands, the musical message is very static there, when I would personally expect some emotional build.

Otherwise, I hear a fair amount of musical expression oozing through your use of dynamics, so well done.

 

Hi Caleb

Just keep on writing. You'll get better and better and closer to your aim.

Stylistically, there is a choice you face here, and one that you can think about which direction to work in.

1.) Do your own thing, but give the "vibe" of classical/romantic era music, yet freedom to modify as you wish.
or
2.) go for a more "authentic" approach to how the actual composers --- say Chopin - would approach the work you are writing.


There are pros and cons to each. Of course you can modify as you needs grow.

I would say if you are going towards #1 - deviate more.

If #2 then reading materials from music theory books will help.



I am happy to explain more if you wish

 

Just to give a brief example:

If you were trying to copy Chopin:

The opening as parallel 5ths, and your 2nd theme is full of parallel octaves.


You can make the call on if that is important to your work,...... or not.




With new voice leading