Help with first composition (a minuet)

[omnisis]

Hi all.  I have never composed before but I was noodling around with finale and I thought that writing a minuet would be a great oppurtunity to get more intimate with the art.  Here is something I cooked up today.  I want it to be my main theme.  My teacher doesn't really help me with composition, I am just a curious amateur.  Are all minuets in AB form.  Should the B section just be a change (inversion, amplification (don't know the correct musical term here), retorgrade of the main theme?  Also any comments on the harmony I have and ways to change it would be appreciated. 

Thanks,

~omnisis

[happyface94]

Well, if you have taken some harmony courses, you can compose by "chords" then fill the blank with your flourish idea.

As far as starting a composition with the 2nd position of the 1rst degree, its awkward sounding (base is a G).

Having a 2nd major interval with no filling inside is risky, it really sounds to the ear. Your fourth measure also gives an empty and consecutive octave. (G-G to C-C), which is again is awkward unless it is a perfect ending.

Don't worry too much about what notes goes in between, assure yourself that if you were to play only the bass + note that goes with it in the right hand, it would sound good.

[omnisis]

Alright, the A section is mostly done.  I'm not completely satisfied with measure 4 but overall I think it is okay.

[img ]https://file.uploadr.com/8c4[/img]

 I have never had any harmony experience and have only been playing for just over a year.  Are there any books on harmony I should definately look at?  I did this piece with no real "rules" except to use 3/4 time, and repeat the main theme with an alternate ending at the end of the section.  I invite any and all comments but keep in mind I'm not a music student, just a curious amateur, so don't bash me if I did something awful (do tell me what I did wrong though).  BTW I tried starting on C in the first measure bass but I didn't like it as much, maybe I'm weird... 

~omnisis

[happyface94]

I copied what you had and tried a bit of things. It is just to show you what can be done. Of course I didnt think of it as a Minuet but you should be able to see how you can harmonize something. There's probably a few harmonizing mistakes, I didn't care to watch it too closely but you should can an idea.



Of course this type of music is really not my style of composition. So I don't know what's suppose to sound like what. There are few passages that I personally find awkward, even in my own writing because the melody was awkward to my ears. But you should remember that it is your own personal composition and that if you like it then it is fine.