Thread: My Symphony Three

Hi all,

Here is the complete Symphony Three (in Four Movements) I made. I like the second and third movements the best.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cgkYJfZNdpw

Billy McBride

Billy, rhythmically, harmonically, melodically, and structurally, there's hardly anything going on. Is it supposed to be minimalism? Chopsticks is more complex than this. I suggest you explore all those elements I've mentioned, and music in general. Try listening to an actual symphony.

Grow up. Here is my tenth symphony for those who care:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YPa2qSW-F9I

Thanks for listening.

Billy M.

Wow! The bare minimum of musical material stretched seemingly interminably over an hour. It is not a symphony, but a rambling (and somewhat pointless) example of what might be second-rate soundtrack music. It shows no symphonic development whatsoever and no recognition of what a symphony should be (and I'm including many contemporary symphonies in this).

Sorry, Billy, but it is really pretty poor.

Originally Posted by Billy

Grow up. Here is my tenth symphony for those who care:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YPa2qSW-F9I

This actually had some interesting ideas in it, but still lacks any structural cohesion or symphonic argument. I'm wondering if you have actually studied the form you are trying to master?

Originally Posted by Billy

Grow up. Here is my tenth symphony for those who care:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YPa2qSW-F9I

Thanks for listening.

Billy M.

Wow, sounds like you're the one that has growing up to do. Why are you posting your music to be criticized if you're just going to fob off any criticism you receive with such childish remarks? mleghorn is right, there is hardly anything going on and you need to study more if you want your music to be taken seriously by people other than you and your immediate circle of friends and family. Show some respect to someone that sat through just under an hour music! Why not ask him to elaborate on his feedback instead? Maybe you'll disagree with what he has to say and maybe you'll defend yourself against such accusations and try to explain what you were going for, but aren't you at the very least interested in looking for things to improve on?

I'm sorry, but your third symphony doesn't interest me very much at all. There's little to no rhythmic variation (I'm 10 minutes in and the violins are still playing what now feel almost like random quarter notes, with the same seemingly random half note bass line accompanying.) Minimalism is great and all, but even MINIMALISM doesn't pointlessly drone on with the same material for ten minutes with little to no variation. You're writing a symphony, so you have a full orchestra at your disposal, yet you don't seem to use it? Why? There are open chords all over the place (Chords that only use the root and the fifth) in places that I don't think you want to have open.

The biggest problem is that there's an overall lack of contrast to you're writing. While you do have some differing ideas in here, it ultimately all feels the same, which makes things feel very dull. It's like having a film take place with only one camera angle across one scene with the same three characters talking in a strict and predictable manner, without changing their facial expressions at all throughout the film.

Around 28:00 in the third movement, this little theme is rather nice, with some further harmonization and orchestration, it could turn out really well! There are some interesting ideas in here, but you need to study and build up the skills to be able to convincingly and coherently express them.

Here's some educational material for you.

If you don't already have basic music theory knowledge, you can watch this Yale course: http://videolectures.net/yalemusi112...stening_music/
Then, I recommend you pick and choose some lectures by this guy: http://www.thegreatcourses.com/tgc/p...ail.aspx?pid=3
Once you felt you've listened to enough of those, check out Leonard Bernstein's Unanswered Question series: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U3HLqCHO08s

I cannot recommend this book enough. Even if you wish for your works to be formless, a read-through of this will revolutionize how you listen to and write music. Seriously, just read it: http://books.google.com/books/about/...d=tEKf_lIk8MsC
These two books on harmony and counterpoint will teach you all about the ever dreary subject of voice leading. As boring and as annoying as it is to study, it will allow you to express your ideas in a much more coherent manner.
http://books.google.com/books/about/...d=-Hp1g3DWNMgC
http://books.google.com/books/about/...d=D1Ezg3pCgRcC

Here's a wonderful youtube channel and a great book on orchestration. They will teach you how best to use the instruments at your disposal, how to make the instruments play together in fun, interesting and coherent ways.
http://www.youtube.com/user/OrchestrationOnline
http://books.google.ie/books/about/S...d=ZYpoPwAACAAJ

If you ever find yourself discouraged by all this study, I might recommend looking for a documentary or a film on composers that you look up to to inspire you.

The most important advice I can give you is to obtain a large and diverse collection of music for you to pick up and listen to at any time. Listen to your favorite composers every day and immerse yourself in their music. Make their music your life. Occasionally, when you're feeling adventurous, you should explore classical music from unfamiliar genres and eras and find something you like. Listen listen listen.

Good luck,
-Steve

Originally Posted by Delicious Manager

Wow! The bare minimum of musical material stretched seemingly interminably over an hour. It is not a symphony, but a rambling (and somewhat pointless) example of what might be second-rate soundtrack music. It shows no symphonic development whatsoever and no recognition of what a symphony should be (and I'm including many contemporary symphonies in this).

Sorry, Billy, but it is really pretty poor.

What a symphony should be? Sorry but there really isn't any criteria for what a symphony should be, besides a large-scale, multi-movement orchestral piece. Its a pretty vaguely defined genre.

That being said, I agree that the music could use more development, more ideas. It is pretty bland.

I'm really sorry, Billy, but I've had a listen to some more of your compositions and cannot find anything positive to say about them. I kept thinking 'a melody will emerge soon', but it never does. Can I ask, how much forethought goes into each piece? Because it does appear that you are just pressing random notes on your synthesiser, and then just stopping when you have had enough. I might have missed it-you do have a large collection of vids- but can you read music?

Maybe you should take the advice others before me have offered, and try not to make comments like 'grow up', when someone doesn't share your enthusiasm. With a bit of knowledge though it may all click for you.

I have been reading some of your reviews and I must say I am not too shocked. Nevertheless, I wish to share my Eleventh Symphony now. Here it is:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LKWAioUlePA

Billy M.

I worked really hard to produce this one today. Keep listening for more symphonies. This is my twelfth symphony:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Sb_v5Tg4PI

Billy M.

Originally Posted by Billy

I worked really hard to produce this one today. Keep listening for more symphonies. This is my twelfth symphony:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Sb_v5Tg4PI

Billy M.

I listened to this one while writing and it was nice background music, thanks.

I just finished this one in time for the weekend! Symphony Thirteen in four movements:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U0coVfJNWMM

Billy M.

Originally Posted by Billy

I have been reading some of your reviews and I must say I am not too shocked.

It would be uncomfortable if you were shocked, I'm relieved you're conscious of the mediocrity of your output.

This thread is just unbelievable.

Billy, my only advice for you: get a composition teacher. The above feedback and criticism is all too true.