Thread: TC Composers' Competition

Scores were only suggested as a method of better allowing the music to be communicated, but if no-one wants to post them we can of course manage without them.

Originally Posted by aleazk

As BD says, the important thing is how the music sounds. Music is sound, not marks on a paper.

And how do you think the composer communicates the sound he wants to hear? A performer interprets his intentions from a score. A MIDI realisation is not a performance, and there is no interpreting going on beyond how the software is programmed to output sets of symbols.

I really think people got the wrong idea with the scores business. We didn't want them so we could gleefully put red marks next to everyone who accidentally wrote inappropriate parallel fifths (and as someone else pointed out, in many situations these are now perfectly acceptable anyway). They're communication aids.

Originally Posted by Crudblud

I'm pretty sure I'm the only composer (or music maker, if the following disqualifies me as a composer by whatever arbitrary definition we have decided on) here who can't read/write scores, and I have no problem admitting that nor being the only person to not submit one. If there is a bias against me because of that, it would not be the first time. And now I suppose people will be up in arms about this supposed deficiency, and probably quite a few would suggest that I am not qualified to enter such a competition. I don't mind either way.

Is there a particular reason you can't read or use musical notation? Does the music you usually write use non-standard notation, or something like that? Because it does strike as unusual that a composer would not make an effort to learn to write music; you call it a 'supposed deficiency' but I can only see it as a real deficiency (not in a perjorative sense) since it must make keeping track of and organising ideas very difficult.

Originally Posted by jalex

And how do you think the composer communicates the sound he wants to hear? A performer interprets his intentions from a score. A MIDI realisation is not a performance, and there is no interpreting going on beyond how the software is programmed to output sets of symbols.

lol, you speak like as if I had done some 'anti-score crusade'!. I have only said that, at the end, what counts is the sound when judging a composition. I'm not denying, under any circumstances, the utility of musical notation, which I use and recommend.

Originally Posted by jalex

Is there a particular reason you can't read or use musical notation? Does the music you usually write use non-standard notation, or something like that? Because it does strike as unusual that a composer would not make an effort to learn to write music; you call it a 'supposed deficiency' but I can only see it as a real deficiency (not in a perjorative sense) since it must make keeping track of and organising ideas very difficult.

I'll explain my history in terms of making music. My very first encounter with actually writing music was using a piece of software that could write in standard and tablature notations; as I had been playing guitar for a little while the tablature system of numbers for pitch and letters for "strings" (for non-string instruments it simply denoted the open note value) made sense to me, and I found I could write that way. Later on, a friend introduced me to piano roll notation with a piece of software called Reason, which was even easier, and it produced far more realistic sounds. More recently I've been using the same kind of notation in Cubase, but now I can create semi-realistic sounding music thanks to VST instruments, which is good enough for me. I also record music with my own instruments and am quite experienced in audio editing. More often than not, I simply use piano roll, but really it depends on what I'm making it for.

I should say that I have no pretence about being a composer of classical music, because that is what I'm not. I'm too stubborn and not practical enough for study, so I had to go about doing things my own way, and for better or worse that is how I continue to operate. If this is going to cause problems for people then I'd rather just bow out of the proceedings than be the cause of any vitriolic arguments, this place has been too warlike lately.

I can't see why it should cause problems, I was just curious.

Well, I wasn't referring to you specifically, I understand you were just asking. Mainly I'm just speaking from experience, my lack of formal education has caused arguments and strong criticism from more conservative types in the past, not here but certainly elsewhere.

Originally Posted by aleazk

lol, you speak like as if I had done some 'anti-score crusade'!. I have only said that, at the end, what counts is the sound when judging a composition. I'm not denying, under any circumstances, the utility of musical notation, which I use and recommend.

In fairness there were a fair amount of anti-score remarks made - he is responding to them as an advocate of them being posted here which is fine. Still, I think a little bit too much emphasis has been laid on this question. I don't want to post mine because I don't want people staring at something which tells them what is about to happen in 10 seconds time.

There are a couple of questions to be answered, which are, however, much more important and a little more urgent.

1. First and foremost this is a piano piece. ANY OTHER RESTRICTIONS? I would propose none except perhaps a time limit of 5 minutes? (maybe more?)

2. Judging - I suppose we shall open a new thread upon which all the entries (with or without scores) are posted. Here I assume everyone shall be able to vote. If so, then shall we post it here or in the main section where people are more likely to look? Should it be done as a poll, or can people order them or put their favourite three or something? Also, should people taking part be able to vote?

3. Submissions - I propose that this is open to anyone and any submission subject to the conditions up until the deadline which for the time being stands at Friday 31st of August. So, how are they submitted?

Ordering or the favourite three might work best. I suspect we'd have to use them eventually anyway, with polls having the option limit and all.

so what are the requirements

Originally Posted by Crudblud

And even if you don't win, you'll surely gain valuable experience with each competition.

Very true. A competition will force me to compose in a timely manner and stop procrastinating. It will also help me improve my skills.

Originally Posted by nicecomposer

so what are the requirements

A piano piece written and submitted in a method as yet unknown by the 31st August, probably in the region of 5 minutes, or a bit more or less. Perhaps less than 7 minutes (more than 2 or 3)?

Perhaps I should set up a Youtube account to put them up on?

Originally Posted by Ramako

A piano piece written and submitted in a method as yet unknown by the 31st August, probably in the region of 5 minutes, or a bit more or less. Perhaps less than 7 minutes (more than 2 or 3)?

Perhaps I should set up a Youtube account to put them up on?

10 minute max would be good, i can't squeeze a piano sonata on 7 mins.

So we don't have to write the piece in any particular form?

It might be easier to create a group soundcloud account, since the upload times are much shorter.

Originally Posted by nicecomposer

So we don't have to write the piece in any particular form?

no

Originally Posted by jani

10 minute max would be good, i can't squeeze a piano sonata on 7 mins.

It doesn't have to be a full blown sonata, multi-movement and all. I guess you could go over 7 minutes, but remember you are writing for an audience which probably has time-constraints. They may not feel so kindly towards a longer work. But then again they may. So if you want a ten minute max, then that is probably alright if you feel a longer work suits your strengths better. I would say 5 minutes as a guideline is good however.

I posted some questions up earlier, only some of which have been addressed.

Originally Posted by Crudblud

Ordering or the favourite three might work best. I suspect we'd have to use them eventually anyway, with polls having the option limit and all.

I agree. Not sure which though.

The submission question is the biggest problem:

Originally Posted by nicecomposer

It might be easier to create a group soundcloud account, since the upload times are much shorter.

Until recently soundcloud did not work on my browser. I don't know if this is might be a problem for other members. (my browser is/was awful). Is a group account possible? How does it work?

Also, if there are going to be future competitions, how are we going to decide what instrumentation/form/time etc. they are going to be in? It would be helpful to have some kind of order.