critique for my compositions please!

[aeon135]

They're messy, unfinished, there's no steadyness to the left hand, but they're mine

I welcome criticism of any sort, just remain mild mannered and do remember I have been playing the piano for perhaps three years now and have never had lessons.

"Cats"
https://soundcloud.com/arthur-dents-dog/cats

"Matthew's Mania"
https://soundcloud.com/arthur-dents-dog/matthews-mania

Regards
Ciaran

PS: these were originally MIDI files which I used soundfonts on, then converted to MP3 - so try look past the quality.

[49410enrique]

very creative, i think with some refinement they will be quite nice.
they're messy, unfinished and unsteady in the left hand (jk )

[starstruck5]

I think think you just need to develop your own style - the Soundcloud comment in the Dog one - 'thanks Chopin' made me laugh - there were also references to Rachmaninoff and Philip Glass which were pretty clear.

I think this baton relaying of styles does the composition no favours.  I also think that you have a lot of potential - if you are going to reveal your influences - maybe it would be better to be consistent - at least that way the music will seem less improvised.

Take some of O'Hallorans pieces - they clearly reference a famous composer - I think his opus 12 references Bach massively -( one of them does anyhow!) - he doesn't suddenly fly off and sound like Einaudi.  Thematic consistency is very important in any serious composition.

[aeon135]

I think think you just need to develop your own style - the Soundcloud comment in the Dog one - 'thanks Chopin' made me laugh - there were also references to Rachmaninoff and Philip Glass which were pretty clear.

I think this baton relaying of styles does the composition no favours.  I also think that you have a lot of potential - if you are going to reveal your influences - maybe it would be better to be consistent - at least that way the music will seem less improvised.

Take some of O'Hallorans pieces - they clearly reference a famous composer - I think his opus 12 references Bach massively -( one of them does anyhow!) - he doesn't suddenly fly off and sound like Einaudi.  Thematic consistency is very important in any serious composition.

Your last paragraph happens to mention two pianists very near and dear to me, you have good taste.

The thing about this piece is that by and large it is somewhat improvised: I go into it with a general idea of how things go and sort of see what happens, even a finished version sounds unfinished when I have this.

But you're right, The piece seems torn between a sort of dark melodic haunting sound and a booming gothic tinge.
What basically happened with it was the "loud" bits, where I referenced Rachmaninoff - were what I came up with first, and the opening minute is very recent.

What I think I'll do - per your messege - is remove for example: 00:18 to 00:35 and have more of 2:10 in the "verses", if we take the booming at about 1:00 as the chorus.

Thoughts?

edit: speaking of Einaudi, heres my tribute to the master of the melodic arpeggio https://soundcloud.com/arthur-dents-dog/ode-to-einaudi