Hey, YoungProdigy here. I recently composed an RPG-styled forest theme. I would describe it as something you would hear in a JRPG.

You can listen to it here:

https://soundcloud.com/youngprodigymusic/young-prodigy-forest-theme-wip

This isn't the final song; but a WIP.

I'm trying to improve my skills as a composer; so critique would be very welcome.

Hey there, YoungProdigy!

Altogether, I like the musical direction of the track (your chord changes and modulations as the track continues.) The guitar sounds especially good, and really helps give the feeling of a rustic backcountry road (and of course, so does the solo flute).

As far as suggestions go, I only really have two points that stuck out to me. For my tastes, the entire track is too dry right now (I don't know if you're using reverb, but I think a little reverb could go a long way right now). I also personally feel like the sound is a little too busy right now, with so many different tracks vying for attention. Maybe soften some of the background noises and leave the flute in the foreground as a solo?

That's just my two bits. Good luck with the track!

I pretty much second everything Elahrairah said. Thematically, I think you hit the nail on the head. But it does sound "too busy" as was said. I think maybe it could be improved if you added in some softer, less intense sections in the tune that perhaps focus on one or two instruments. That would also help feel like the song is going somewhere, instead of just making slight changes to the melody here and there. Overall though, I think this is pretty awesome work!

I'm going to disagree with the other posters. First off, I really like this track as it is. I wouldn't add much reverb to this if any, I like how bright and clean it sounds and I think that goes with the overall feel of the track. It is busy, but once again that plays into the happy child-like feel of the track. It's also very well mixed, great work!

sounds good to me and depending on the type of sound you're trying to get, sometimes reverb isn't always needed. but your layout is cool, nothing to gripe at.

Great job.

In my opinion, it is a little on the busy side, but this is mainly due to perception from the mix and speed of the song.

Suggestions:

Use more expression, volume envelopes to control the parts they will sound less static. I went through this myself when I was learning to compose orchestral / live instrument pieces.

Let your wind instruments take more pronounced breaks - people will feel less claustrophobic / out of breath while listening. This goes for brass and anything else which requires breathing. It's a natural part of music. If you need to continue on - perhaps use two different flutes - pan them a litle and let them play question response which will also add another dynamic to your music.

Perhaps slowing the theme down a little will help give it a little more space so it doesn't feel like everything is clambering to be heard.

Bring down the tamborine a little, - give it also a few more breaks, and use of swells and dips to bring it up and down to accentuate the parts of the music you need to give emotion to.

Finally, the pizzicato plugs, hi-pass eq them - and drop them a little in volume, right now they feel huge in comparison to the flutes, and they are only a supporting instrument.

The main instruments are your piccolo/flute and oboe so let them have the limelight a little more.

I pretty much second everything Elahrairah said. Thematically, I think you hit the nail on the head. But it does sound "too busy" as was said. I think maybe it could be improved if you added in some softer, less intense sections in the tune that perhaps focus on one or two instruments. That would also help feel like the song is going somewhere, instead of just making slight changes to the melody here and there. Overall though, I think this is pretty awesome work!

Thanks for the criticism. So basically I should add reverb? And about the track being too busy; what could I do about that? Would having less instruments help that?

I really like the feel and style of this song. I like it a lot actually! It really reminds me of Dark Cloud 2. However I disagree with the other posters. Adding reverb would just mush everything up. Do not remove any instruments from the main part, it's fine as it is. Just add a small part where it's slower and with less instruments. Don't forget to change velocity and use the MW for changes in expression or vibrato.

Great comments by all!

I'd suggest stating the melody by itself the first time. You have a nice counter melody or idea happening, at 12 seconds in, which occurs every time the melody is heard. Why not state the melody without that the first time? Then bring in the counter melody later on. This will create some more space and give more evolution to your piece.

This reminds me of an old Super Famicom game, but I can not remember the name of the game. A very enjoyable track