http://pegasus.cc.ucf.edu/~ni290464/sictransit1.mp3 http://pegasus.cc.ucf.edu/~ni290464/fgsd.mp3 http://pegasus.cc.ucf.edu/~ni290464/new.mp3 I'm a newb to digital music composition (though I've been trying to do it for a long time now). I would like to start working on music for games and such, but I would like to get some peer critiques of my work first. *ANY* critisism welcome, even if you just want to say "you suck" or "for the love of god, I've heard better sounds come out of a walrus's buttcrack" Also, if anyone knows of more peer-review forums for digital music, like this one, that would also be awesome. [Edited by - NickW on February 20, 2006 7:08:12 PM]

Quote: Original post by NickW
http://pegasus.cc.ucf.edu/~ni290464/sictransit1.mp3
http://pegasus.cc.ucf.edu/~ni290464/fgsd.mp3
http://pegasus.cc.ucf.edu/~ni290464/new.mp3

I'm a newb to digital music composition (though I've been trying to do it for a long time now). I would like to start working on music for games and such, but I would like to get some peer critiques of my work first.

*ANY* critisism welcome, even if you just want to say "you suck" or "for the love of god, I've heard better sounds come out of a walrus's buttcrack"

Also, if anyone knows of more peer-review forums for digital music, like this one, that would also be awesome.

Well, I only listened to the first one, and my advice is to invest some time learning jazz/pop harmony. This takes years to master (because it is very complex), but I noticed you held the same tonic chord for like 20 measures - which is not really what you would expect for most music. Even a simple harmonic rythem with a standard chord progression would really add alot, like a tonic, Sub dominate, Extended Dominante, dominate, then repeate would really help.

I can't really say that I am a 'peer' seeing as how I focus more on programming but that hasn't stopped me from giving my two cents before ;)

These seem to be very simple tunes, but in my experience, simple tunes can make the best atmospheric music, suitable to backgrounds for games and movies. I really can't say everyone could listen to them by themselves but they certainly would be great if put into the proper context.


sictransit1:
This one gives a sense of tension or a terrible burden. It starts out well, and I liked how it began to develop at first. But it was somewhat disappointing when that all ended and returned to the initial 'state' from the beginning of the song.


fgsd:
This seems to have an inquisitive nature about it, suggesting a mystery or perhaps exploration to some unknown place. Overall I liked it.

new:
I really liked the sound of this one. But again, it doesn't feel to have developed enough and just seems to stop and return to the beginning.


Overall I enjoyed the use of smooth and mellow instruments. The tunes themselves are certainly effective for setting a mood. I just think they need to grow and develop more to get the full effect.

Your music reminds me strongly of Philip Glass and the minimalist style in general. This style is dominated by repetition and slight gradual variation of rhythmic ideas, not necessarily based upon the traditional model of tonic to dominant chord progressions. It's a different mode of thinking than what you normally find in modern mainstream composition, i.e. film music, which is the leading model for game music at present. If you want to continue going in this direction, pick up some albums by Glass or Steve Reich, and you'll hear the results of this style taken to its extreme.

I agree with lack o comments' assesment on the last two pieces and the mood they create. The first piece, however, didn't create an emotional response in me. It seems more to me like absolute music (music for its own sake) rather than incidental music which is used as a dramatic setpiece.

Hopefully this makes sense and helps you for the direction you're going in.

Brian

Thanks for the input guys.

lack o comments - I think that's good advice. My songs need to develop more. Hopefully that will come with more experience.

Brian - I do know of Philip Glass actually, he's one of my favorite composers (I've been influenced by him a lot as I guess you can see) as well as a composer named Max Richter. Both are "minimalists." I think Glass's style has worked very well in some of the things he's worked on, like Truman Show, Fog of War, Naqoiqatsi and others. I saw in one of your previous posts that all the repetition drives you crazy, so I hope my songs didn't drive you into a total furious rage. =p

for you, I would say one thing: experiment experiment experiment. Listen to as many types of music as you can get yourself to and gather lots of ideas.

Your music is already very experimental. However, I say this because the story you gave us about your background suggests that your composing talents still have much room to mature. =)

Good luck developing them.

Nah, I didn't go into a "furious rage". I kinda liked it, actually. Glass and company simply tend to wear out their welcome in my ears only after extended listening, but they are nowhere close to inducing the visceral rage and disgust I feel upon immediately hearing the likes of Yanni or Kenny G. That's like comparing apples and submarines.

Brian

But where are the drums??? :)

Quote: Original post by Brian Timmons
Yanni or Kenny G. That's like comparing apples and submarines.

Brian

Lmfao.

Brian: I'd be interested in what someone of your talent would say about Jean-Michel Jarre. I wouldn't be supprised if a lot of musicians see him as a hack [grin] but that's never stopped me from enjoying his work. As I said, I'm just curious as to what other musicians think of him.