Eyes on Final Fantasy Forums > General > Writer's Corner > [M]Prelude in C major

[nik0tine]

Tonight I sat down and wrote a prelude. It's short, but that can be expected from a simple prelude. The ending is a disaster though, and some of the dynamics are slightly off. Either way, I don't usually finish anything so I'm taking the opportunity to post this.

edit: Putfile - Prelude in C major 97

[The_White_Wizard_of_Fynn]

Dude... You wrote that in one evening? But how? I want to be a composer once I grow up, but the only thing I did was arrange a melody for a contest at music school and it took me two weeks! How do you do this? You have to teach me!

[Vivi22]

I rather like it. I'd like to hear the whole thing done, so hopefully you do finish it

Originally Posted by The_White_Wizard_of_Fynn ^

Dude... You wrote that in one evening? But how? I want to be a composer once I grow up, but the only thing I did was arrange a melody for a contest at music school and it took me two weeks! How do you do this? You have to teach me!

While what Nick wrote is more than what I can usally write in one evening, I suppose I can offer you some tips that I've been learning having started composing myself over the last couple of months. Firstly, it helps to have a good grasp on music theory; rhythm, melody, the whole shebang. Also, take the time to learn a few different instruments if possible. Not only could that make recording easier, but you'll have a better idea of the capabilities of a few different instruments and how they can best work together. I've played the drums for 8 years now which helps my sense of rhythm tremendously, and taking piano for the last two years has helped my knowledge outside of percussion develop greatly.

Lastly, if you want to compose, practice it. Don't just practice what you're comfortable with either. Try composing in different styles, time signatures, etc. It will help you get better and be more versatile, and get easier every time you do it.

[nik0tine]

I rather like it. I'd like to hear the whole thing done, so hopefully you do finish it

It is finished. Although, I can picture a nice little fugue to accompany it.

Also, to add to what Vivi said, never underestimate the importance of structure in your music. Music doesn't have to be structured by certain rules, but it certainly helps. I find it helpful sometimes to decide how many measures I am going to have before I write a peice, and then, before I write any notes, plan what is going to be happening in what measures. ie, in this peice 1/3 of the song is the theme in C major, 1/3 is the theme in C minor, and the final 1/3 is a variation of the theme in c major that closes the peice.


So, give your music order. You can copy another composers form bar for bar if you want and then just fill in the measures with your melodies. It's not stealing. Your music will sound totally different and you can always make additions later. It just helps to have a professional composer like bach help you out.

[The_White_Wizard_of_Fynn]

Originally Posted by Vivi22 ^

I rather like it. I'd like to hear the whole thing done, so hopefully you do finish it

Originally Posted by The_White_Wizard_of_Fynn ^

Dude... You wrote that in one evening? But how? I want to be a composer once I grow up, but the only thing I did was arrange a melody for a contest at music school and it took me two weeks! How do you do this? You have to teach me!

While what Nick wrote is more than what I can usally write in one evening, I suppose I can offer you some tips that I've been learning having started composing myself over the last couple of months. Firstly, it helps to have a good grasp on music theory; rhythm, melody, the whole shebang. Also, take the time to learn a few different instruments if possible. Not only could that make recording easier, but you'll have a better idea of the capabilities of a few different instruments and how they can best work together. I've played the drums for 8 years now which helps my sense of rhythm tremendously, and taking piano for the last two years has helped my knowledge outside of percussion develop greatly.

Lastly, if you want to compose, practice it. Don't just practice what you're comfortable with either. Try composing in different styles, time signatures, etc. It will help you get better and be more versatile, and get easier every time you do it.

Well, I know quite a bit in theory. I mean, I have a six (top grade) in Aural Training and a five (just one grade lower) in Harmony. I play the piano and the flute and I also sing in a choir. Next year, I'll be studying a new subject for two years - Musical Forms, and I think that that can help me a bit.
You know, I've got plenty of ideas just swirling in my head and I can spontaniously play some pretty nice stuff on the piano, but I just can't get myself to write it down. I can't find a program that would be free but decent, and writing down notes on paper takes a long time and it's summer, so it's even harder...
Oh, and I've been in music school for ten years now. In grade one, for six years, I've played the piano and now I play the flute. I've got two years left.

[Vivi22]

Originally Posted by nik0tine ^

I rather like it. I'd like to hear the whole thing done, so hopefully you do finish it

It is finished. Although, I can picture a nice little fugue to accompany it.

Whoops, guess I misunderstood your rarely finishing things comment then. My mistake.

It sounds like you have a great musical base on which to do some composing Wizard; certainly more expansive then mine. As far as the writing things down part, I don't know of any good programs off the top of my head, though writing by hand does tend to go faster the more you do it.

[The_White_Wizard_of_Fynn]

Originally Posted by Vivi22 ^

Originally Posted by nik0tine ^

I rather like it. I'd like to hear the whole thing done, so hopefully you do finish it

It is finished. Although, I can picture a nice little fugue to accompany it.

Whoops, guess I misunderstood your rarely finishing things comment then. My mistake.

It sounds like you have a great musical base on which to do some composing Wizard; certainly more expansive then mine. As far as the writing things down part, I don't know of any good programs off the top of my head, though writing by hand does tend to go faster the more you do it.

Hope you're right. I love caligraphing my notes (even though people later say they're ugly ) but it's so damn slow now. Oh well - practice makes perfect!

[qwertyxsora]

It soyund's good, I give it a 8/10.

And my 7 year old cousin gives it a 6/10.

Keep at it, you are reallty good.