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This is my most recent composition for piano, a Nocturne in F major. I’m posting this here because I’m self-learning at piano and composition and if you could give some feedback it would be great.
I read your score and listened to your playing of Nocturne in FM.
Immediately I noticed dissonance of 2nd interval throughout the piece, and this creates a problem. One example would be on measure 7, on the downbeat or the first beat, there is an A on the right hand and G on the left thus creating dissonance.
Dissonance should be avoided as much as possible.
Best
Charles Peck (American)--Metropolitan Debussy--various pieces Grieg--various pieces
I read your score and listened to your playing of Nocturne in FM.
Immediately I noticed dissonance of 2nd interval throughout the piece, and this creates a problem. One example would be on measure 7, on the downbeat or the first beat, there is an A on the right hand and G on the left thus creating dissonance.
Dissonance should be avoided as much as possible.
I disagree vehemently. Dissonance is not to be avoided, resolved usually (but not always). Without dissonance Bach would lack the spice that makes his music so effective. In bar 7 the A can be heard as a ninth that resolves in the very next beat. That's essentially a suspension, except that the note is an octave lower in the previous bar. My advice is to do it more, similar to using parallel fifths. If you're going to use them do it a lot so that it's obviously intentional.
Your piece is nice, somewhat reminiscent of Chopin, somewhat different. I think if I were to compose a Nocturne I'd want to get farther from Chopin, otherwise it' sounds like pastiche.
Thank you for the suggestions! I have to agree with Steve. The dissonances, from what I’ve read so far, play an important role in the piece, they help to build tension that will eventually be resolved next.
This nocturne is somewhat reminiscent of Chopin its true. Chopin nocturnes are a big reference for me, some of them are among my favorite piano pieces ever. But now I'm begining to learn some Mozart and Bach and I guess it will be a good help to increase my "vocabulary" on composition
That’s true, I see that happening a lot on youtube, in comments... I think it's an insult for such great masterpieces! But at least those people like to hear the music. There are lots of young people who don't listen to classical music and some of them say they don't like it! It's really strange
That’s true, I see that happening a lot on youtube, in comments... I think it's an insult for such great masterpieces!
Finally someone who gets it! And it's not only on Youtube, it's here as well - a specialized piano site!
Originally Posted by mpmusic
There are lots of young people who don't listen to classical music and some of them say they don't like it! It's really strange
There is no hope for these people. Just ignore them and let them listen to the trash music they enjoy. Meanwhile, you can enjoy the good music classical music.
I heard enough here that was of interest (.e.g., the 3:17 - 4:00 section) that I downloaded all your available scores for a look.
Are you asking about notation or about the music?
If that section of time listed isn't a one off then I feel you should keep composing.
I might send an email later . . . (not a PM through pianoworld).
Mvh, Michael
Thank you I'm asking about the music but if you could give some advice about the notation it would be great. I think my problem is that I haven't good background on music theory. I play the piano more seriously since last year and in the guitar (I play since 2007) I badly read sheet music. So when I'm composing I've usually difficulties finding the way to represent in the sheet music what I exactly want and as I improve in playing technique I want to include more challenging parts in my compositions and I take lots of time to write what I want in the paper when the rhythm it’s a little more complex.
Because of that I usually in the difficult parts write with a “pseudo-notation†that means I write basically the notes without representing the rhythm and even the measures not well placed. And I of course have to remember the rhythm. Then when the piece is finished I try, in the notation software, to organize the everything in such way that sounds what I want.
The issue that some people (including me) have with it is that it's confusing to refer to everything as a "song," so it's impossible to tell whether you mean an actual vocal work or an instrumental composition.
The issue that some people (including me) have with it is that it's confusing to refer to everything as a "song," so it's impossible to tell whether you mean an actual vocal work or an instrumental composition.
Believe me, I get what you're saying was just trying to be difficult
In terms of composition, I think you lose the phrase with the odd 3-bar repeat, but the effect wasn't undesirable, so if it was intended, I would consider leaving it be.
At the andante before the recap.. have you considered a ritard with the andante starting at the recap? The sudden change coming out of the triplet phrasing might be softened that way. Otherwise, you really have to sell the fermata on the downbeat.
This one, take with a grain of salt, because it may steer you closer to Chopin rather than distancing yourself from him... but consider embellishing the recap. Do something different with it. I like the "return to home" feel, but if you can make it somehow appear different, it will sell a "catharsis" in the piece. Err, sorry, song.
Every day we are afforded a new chance. The problem with life is not that you run out of chances. In the end, what you run out of are days.
In terms of composition, I think you lose the phrase with the odd 3-bar repeat, but the effect wasn't undesirable, so if it was intended, I would consider leaving it be.
It was intended the 3-bar repeat.
Originally Posted by Derulux
At the andante before the recap.. have you considered a ritard with the andante starting at the recap? The sudden change coming out of the triplet phrasing might be softened that way. Otherwise, you really have to sell the fermata on the downbeat.
I agree with to selling the fermata
Originally Posted by Derulux
This one, take with a grain of salt, because it may steer you closer to Chopin rather than distancing yourself from him... but consider embellishing the recap. Do something different with it. I like the "return to home" feel, but if you can make it somehow appear different, it will sell a "catharsis" in the piece. Err, sorry, song.
I thought about that and maybe I will do it when I decide to review it and in my future compositions.
Thanks for the suggestions! And I forgive you for call it "song" :P
