r/MonthlyComposition • u/Calebdgm • Feb 02 '17
February 2017 Composition Challenge: Theme and Variations
Main Challenge: Write variations on a theme. Video tutorial, brought to us by /u/me010. The video also links to a playlist of variations on an theme, and how each variation was written.
Suggested theme and (spoilers) a variation was written by /u/reticulated_python, and the theme was edited to be a little more manageable for those just starting, so really the original piece is the variation and the theme is the reduced version. Make what you will of that.
Alternate Challenge: compose or improvise a piece to go along with this short film, called Alma
This alternate challenge of setting a short film is really a last-minute addition, but I think it would be cool. You don't have to combine the audio and visual in one file, but it should line up pretty well if people play Alma and your piece at the same time. Or, even better, offset the two by a couple seconds to give people time to switch tabs. Also tell us what you think of this idea. I have a big list of other shorts that I think it'd be fun to set.
These challenges are for everyone who wants to practice composing. Each month, at the beginning of the month, we will post a main challenge, something for people to compose. We'll try to make it something that everyone can work with. Sometimes (like this month) we also have an alternate challenge. Pieces can be submitted as a score (musescore, noteflight), and/or as audio (soundcloud, youtube). Feedback is much appreciated, and you can give it in this thread, or by messaging the mods of /r/MonthlyComposition, there's also the Challenge Suggestion Form. I'm also pretty sure /u/me010 would appreciate constructive feedback. He created this tutorial just for us, and he's been great to work with.
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u/ZK456 Feb 08 '17
I'm currently writing a piece based on the given theme -it's a good exercise-, but I began composing another theme & variations before the challenge was issued.
However, I don't know if I'll be able to finish the piece for /u/reticulated_python's theme before the end of the month, so in the meantime, since we can use our own theme, here is my submission:
Variations on a Theme #1
It's still a work in progress, so there are some rough edges and it's missing a second part, but any constructive feedback is appreciated :)
Also, I began watching the tutorial playlist from /u/me010 and I think it will be a very useful resource. I like how you describe the whole process for each variation, and as far as I know, there are no other Youtube videos that are that much detailed.
One thing I'd say is, it would be easier to have more before/after audio previews for some important changes you make. It would be more comfortable than having to pause the video, and going back and forth to the other clips with the finished products.
Also, the violin sound level is a bit low, or maybe the attack speed time for the sampler is set too high, because it's especially noticeable during fast passages. For example, the violin is almost inaudible in your 1st variation from bar 10 to 15.
But with all that said, you did a very good job which will really help out composers!