Feedback Requested: I am thinking of more music to add. Do you have any suggestions for me?

Hi Christina,

You have a very nice beginning to a piece, Christina. Your motif is singable and musical. As far as continuing your piece, I think if you play what you have thus far, then sing the next phrase or note, that you'll be able to figure out what happens next. From the sounds of it, you have a song inside you, so trust your musical instincts! One idea might be to start the next phrase on a D, and work your way down to an E...but you might sing a phrase that is more moving.

You probably should try changing the time signature of your piece to 3/4. This better represents the rhythmic pulse of your piece.

I'm looking forward to hearing your additions, Laura. Keep up the good work!

Jay Cook, Mentor

 

Dear Mr. Cook, Thank you for your comment. I did what you suggested and started on D. I also changed the time signature. I am planning to change the instruments. Do you have any ideas? I'm also going to add more to the song itself. Christina

MIDI File First Revision of Composition

Hi Christina,

That's a wonderful addition to your piece! You have a good sense of melody, and the new section feels unique but related to the first section. If you want to keep your composition simple, you could repeat the A section to create an ABA form. Play with this idea and see if you like it.

As far as instruments go, the best way to find the instrument of choice is to experiment. One of the beauties of composing with MIDI is that you can listen to each instrument of the orchestra with a click of the mouse! Have fun!

Jay Cook, Mentor

Mr. Cook, I tried your ABA idea and liked it. I added a left hand to the B section. I have attached the new version. Please tell me what you think of it. I haven't had time to experiment with new instruments yet, but I will when I have a chance. Thank you! Christina

MIDI File Second Revision of Composition

 

I am working on revising my piece for Opus 5. What are the ranges for cello and viola? I wrote this piece for piano and I play piano. I am thinking of working on a second movement. I am having trouble thinking of a name. Sincerely, Christina

MIDI File Third Revision of Composition

Hi Christina... You have done a lot of work on this piece since you first posted it. You're really doing a wonderful job with it! Congratulations on sticking with one piece and working on it. This is not always an easy thing to do.

Here is a website that gives the ranges of all the instruments. Have your teacher look at this with you so that she can explain it to you. http://www.azstarnet.com/~solo/insrange.htm

Christina, I was looking at your piece and trying to count it. I think that there are really two time signatures in this piece. The first 4 measures and the repeat are 3/4 and the second 4 measures and the repeat are 4/4. The only change would be in measures 8 and 16 where the note is held for a count of 4 instead of 3. This also works better for the form because there are then 4 measures in each section.

Your viola part has a lot of double stops (2 note chords). I think they are all playable, but you might want to check with a viola player to be sure. Another option would be to give some of those notes to the cello. Also, the viola usually reads an alto clef where C is on the middle line. The cello usually reads bass clef.

I think your idea of making the piece longer by adding new material is great! You are doing a fine job. I look forward to hearing more!

Peggy Madden, Mentor

Dear Peggy, This is my new version of Joie de Vie with your idea of changing the time signature. I'm not sure about the time signature change because then it ends the song on a rest. Is it musically correct to have two time signatures in the song? Should I change the whole song back to 4/4? I changed the chords so that there could be a trio playing and I am thinking of cello playing the lowest part, viola middle, and violin highest. I am going to check the website that you gave me to find out the ranges of the instruments. What do you think of it being made into a trio piece now? I have changed the name of my piece to "Joie de Vie", which means "Joy of Life", and attached the revision. Thank you for your ideas. Christina

MIDI File Fourth Revision of Composition

Dear Christina,

I recognized your name from previous Opus concerts and the site, and knew I should listen to your piece. You have a great string trio piece here!

I think the way you have set up your time signatures (switching between 3/4 and 4/4) is very musically appropriate. I have to agree with Peggy that your melody in measures 5-8 feels as if it is in 4/4. Composers use changing time signature to accommodate melodies like yours and to show the change of meter. If you are unhappy with the rest at the end (measures 8 and 16), perhaps keep those bars in 3/4 time. Try it and see. However, it is also perfectly fine to end a piece with a rest.

I have two quick thoughts. At the very last measure, what do you think about having the cello rest on beat 1, followed by a D on beat 2, and then your G on beat 3? I think it might help the cello emphasize the resting tone by leading into it that way. And finally, in measure 6, the B on beat 1, the cello note seems to clash with the passing tone C on second half of beat 1 in the viola part. It stuck out to me when I listened. My suggestion is why not have the cello play a D there just like in beat 1 of measure 7? Try it and see what you think.

What ever your decisions, no matter what, you have a fine piece here and I wish you luck with the Opus 5. Fine work, Christina!

Betsy Greene, Mentor

Dear Ms. Greene, I tried changing the end and didn't like the extra note. But I did change the cello B to a D in measure 6. I also left the rest at the end. Thank you for your suggestions! Christina

MIDI File Fifth Revision of Composition

Dear Christina,

Glad I was able to help a little.

I was just thinking - what do you think about using dynamic and/or articulation markings in your piece? I did see that you put in one articulation marking - a staccato. These markings can help you convey to the musicians and audience how you truly want your piece to sound. It can also add another layer of depth and character to your piece. What do you think? It could be fun to experiment with dynamics and articulation. Let me know what you think.

Betsy Greene, Mentor

Hi Christina... I'm sorry for not getting back to you sooner, but I see you were well taken care of! My computer crashed and I was out of commission for awhile. I think you've done a wonderful job with this piece! The third part adds a lot.

As far as the last measure goes, you could sustain those notes for 4 beats instead of using a rest if you wanted to. This might give the ending a little more of a sustained feeling. You used the whole note in measure 8, and I thought it worked well.

You've done a fabulous job with your composition. I'm looking forward to hearing it performed live!

Peggy Madden, Mentor

Dear Betsy and Peggy, Here is my final version and the Sibelius version of Joie de Vie, which should show the dynamics. Thank you for all of your ideas! Christina P.S. I am learning to play the violin!

 Get Sibelius Scorch

Hi Christina,

I haven't listened to "Joie de Vie" for quite some time. You've made some wonderful revisions! Congratulations on your finished work.

I'm looking forward to hearing any new pieces by you, Christina.

Jay Cook, Mentor

Hi Christina... Congratulations on a job well done! You really stuck with this piece and worked through all of the problems that you encountered along the way. The final product demonstrates all of your efforts!

I look forward to hearing your piece in concert!

Peggy Madden, Mentor

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