Well, there used to be a thread here for posting new works, so I figured I'd try to get this started again. I do hope that's alright. I've been working on what I'd call a "playful" fantasy piece for a few days and am getting pretty to close to finishing it but thought I'd throw it out there for some feedback. It's actually kind of inspired by music of another game composer, but listening back to his piece, there is really not much resemblance; regrettably. Musically, I'm fairly pleased with it, though there are a few changes I will most likely make. I'd be happy to get some feedback of any kind, but am mostly looking for some advice on how to make it sound more "light" and "airy", for lack of any other way to describe what I'm trying to go for. I figure it could be a few things that are preventing me from getting it to sound how I want: the instrumentation/orchestration, the samples, or the mix. Or all of these things. Two out of the three are easy enough to work around, but unfortunately, I have only the samples I have to work with at my disposal. Here is the link: http://www.keithlesliemusic.com/media/playful.mp3 Thanks in advance for any feedback and for listening. Keith

Very nice, Kealle.

Don't regret not sounding too much like another composer--it's really good to have your own sound.

Normally I would suggest a listening exercise to get you going and being more analytical (and I would suggest listening to Alan Menken's underscore for The Little Mermaid and The Beauty and the Beast and probably Carl Stalling's work with Looney Toons), but I think you could just stand to analyze what you've got right here.

What gives something a "light and airy" sound?

What IS light and airy?

I know what I would do to give this light and air but I'm trying to lead you to it--discovering it on your own is so much more satisfying and personal.

Think about fairies which are airy and light--what kind of sound does a fairy make? What does magical dust sound like?

These things have the properties of lightness and air.

That sounded great!

Almost made me think of a furry little critter sneaking around getting into things he shouldn't be.

John

Dannthr,

I will definitely check out the music and composers you referenced.

And I appreciate your methods here. I realize it's not as simple as someone just saying "try this" and offering up a simple solution.

I'm going to give this one another shot soon and think about a couple of different things in the process. One thing I've noticed is that the note-on velocities are probably making it sound a bit too forceful and that there isn't much sense of dynamics at all, and not much separation between foreground and background voices. I was also thinking that some kind of synth pad/effect of some sort might give it a more "(f)airy" quality.

One thing that becomes increasingly clear to me as of late is the importance of knowing how to mix, which I in no way claim to understand. I'm beginning to think of mixing as the "fifth beatle" or something, or the guy that plays cowbell. It's something you can't appreciate until you realize how things sound without them.

And borngamer,

that's about what I'm going for! like wandering through a forest picking up berries or something; no danger around, but a mysterious place to be.

thanks for the feedback folks!

There is certainly a lot of 'character' to the piece. I appreciate how it moves around keys, but their are specific themes throughout.

It works great, for a purpose.

Dannthr,

Unfortunately, I can't really lay down the funds for the music at the moment (yeah, it's that tight), but I just listened to samples of Menken and Stallings. Really amazing stuff and I will be spending more time checking these two composers out in the near future.

Thanks for the heads up.

kealle