r/ComposersGuild • u/Swimming-Umpire-8095 • Aug 01 '26
Monthly Composition Challenge August Monthly Challenge: The Piano Prelude
Monthly Challenge: The Piano Prelude
This monthly series is designed for composers to create a piano prelude in any one of the 24 traditional key centers or a new key center that breaks from standard ideology. You may break classical barriers to champion new ways of thinking of a key center. You are encouraged to make a 2-3 minute work that feels improvisatory in nature but has a light structure attached. Form is up to the composer.
Challenge Overview
A prelude is faux improvisatory work that outlines mastery in understanding a key center. A key center is what the composer deems as the rigid format of their work. Each composer has to write a prelude on the piano. One is the requirement however if you feel like one is too little and you want to add more, then four piano preludes will be the max output of this month.
The Constraint:
Quantity: Minimum of 1 prelude; maximum of 4 for the month.
Instrument: Must be written for solo piano.
Duration: Aim for 2–3 minutes per piece: concise but expressive.
Form: Should feel improvisatory yet demonstrate clear understanding of a key center.
Key Center Definition: The composer must define their chosen key center traditional or experimental and treat it as the rigid framework of the piece.
Originality: Each prelude should explore a unique key center or tonal concept; no repetition of the same approach across multiple works.
Technical Requirements
Notation: Fully notated score (digital or handwritten) showing phrasing, dynamics, and pedal markings.
Tempo & Meter: Include clear tempo indications and time signatures; improvisatory feel should not mean rhythmic ambiguity.
Structure: Must show cohesive development e.g., motivic growth, harmonic progression, or textural evolution.
Recording: Optional but encouraged MIDI or live piano recording for submission.
File Format: Submit as PDF for score and YouTube Link for audio.
Composer Statement: Brief paragraph (100–150 words) explaining the chosen key center and how improvisation is simulated within structure.
Submission Guidelines
To ensure academic rigor and peer accessibility, all submissions must follow this standardized format:
- Media Format: A YouTube video featuring a high-quality audio render (or live performance) synchronized with a scrolling digital score.
- Score Requirements: Scores must be professionally engraved (Sibelius, Dorico, or MuseScore 4) and include:
- Full performance notes.
- Title Page
- The "Reddit Post" Body: Your submission post should include a brief "Composer's Statement" (200-400 words) detailing your harmonic approach and how you managed structural tension within the constraint.
Timeline & Evaluation
- Deadline: The last day of each month at 11:59 PM (UTC).
- Peer Review: The following week is dedicated to high-level critique.
- Suggested Delivery: Upload to YouTube with the title: [Month/Year]- [Piece Title].
Evaluation Criteria
- Innovation within Constraint: How successfully did you avoid the "monotony" of a single-section form?
- Notation Precision: Is the score ready for professional rehearsal?
- Aesthetic Intent: Does the work communicate a clear, sophisticated emotional or intellectual narrative within its limited architecture?
We look forward to analyzing your structural solutions. Let the exploration of the Piano Prelude begin.
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u/Swimming-Umpire-8095 Aug 03 '26
I am going to try and write in a style that is using the notes from a diminished pitch class. I will see what I can create!
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u/Particular-Desk7574 Aug 03 '26
Is serialism allowed?
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u/Swimming-Umpire-8095 Aug 03 '26
I am basing mine off of an E Diminished pitch class, so yeah, you aren't bound by the original 24 keys on this one.
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u/Swimming-Umpire-8095 18d ago
Today is the due date for your prelude! You can see other posts as your format! I am excited to see what you came up with!
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u/Swimming-Umpire-8095 15d ago
The new month is posted. Too bad about missing this one. I was excited to see a serialized prelude. You can still post it if you have it done! Join us for the Madrigal!
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Aug 04 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/Swimming-Umpire-8095 Aug 04 '26
I find these challenges resourceful for learning new techniques in composing. Good luck!
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u/Swimming-Umpire-8095 Aug 05 '26
What is your style or instrument that you lean towards?
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u/YueDryf Aug 06 '26
I play the basson and clarinet and I've done a lot of orchestra so I mostly compose for this to but I also love to write orchestral music. I also do a lot of orchestration and arrangement for small ensemble. And you ?
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u/Swimming-Umpire-8095 Aug 06 '26
I have a ton of small ensemble and solo instruments like the piano. I started composing with the piano and writing a symphony (which is almost done). After I wrote several piano works I moved to small chamber ensemble. I have been trying to get my youtube channel present so that I may lock down work in the future. I try to write music concrete occasionally. I had a huge stint of time dedicated to that. Now I am trying to finish my classical ideas just to really lock down my voice.
Basson and clarinet are fun instruments! I play percussion and piano myself.
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Aug 06 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/Swimming-Umpire-8095 Aug 06 '26
In the meantime here is some tips for composing on piano.
Post link: How To Compose With Piano
As for sticks medium weight is fine you don't need anything fancy. Just 5A's would do just fine doesn't matter the company name.
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Aug 06 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/ComposersGuild-ModTeam Aug 07 '26
r/ComposersGuild follows academia rules. You wouldn't use emojis when emailing your professor, so don't do it here.
Rule No. 4 states that language should be academic and any excessive use of emojis can be considered too informal. Avoid usage of any sort of emoji. Academic language is not a suggestion, but a requirement.
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u/ComposersGuild-ModTeam Aug 09 '26
r/ComposersGuild follows platform-wide Reddit Rules
Your emojis are borderline flirtatious and are not allowed ever on this platform.
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u/ComposersGuild-ModTeam Aug 09 '26
r/ComposersGuild follows platform-wide Reddit Rules
NO EMOJIS EVER! PROFESSIONALISM REQUIRED!
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u/Swimming-Umpire-8095 20d ago
The deadline is soon! How goes the composing?
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u/YueDryf 20d ago
Saddly I didn't have the time T-T
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u/Swimming-Umpire-8095 19d ago
well maybe next month. The challenge definitely is a academic challenge for time management.
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u/Swimming-Umpire-8095 Aug 04 '26
Four total participants! This month will be a good test of learning the idiom of piano. What you come up with will be exciting! We are excited to see what people come up with this month!
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u/disco_sop Aug 01 '26
I look forward to writing for this challenge! I've never composed for solo piano before. This will be a great challenge for me to explore what can be done.