Floundering

[starstruck5]

 

I seem to have lost confidence in my ability to write music.  Can anyone tell me if these beginnings to the following themes have any real merit -I just don't know if they are worth finishing -

They are titled -An Unanswered Prayer -and A Spirit Unbroken -which needs of course a positive ending!

[candlelightpiano]

Of course these compositions have merit and are worth finishing.  It would be a crying shame if they were left incomplete so that An Unanswered Prayer will remain unanswered and A Spirit Unbroken will be broken.  

You have an original voice.  I can easily identify your composition from others.  You have so much talent and so much to offer us all.  These two pieces are beautiful and meaningful.  I'd be really disappointed if you stop working on them.  

I was wondering if you might incorporate some forceful arpeggios into A Spirit Unbroken.  I think they'd sound really good in the spirit of the piece.  I'm thinking along the lines of the arps in L'Absente (Yann Tiersen).

[starstruck5]

Thanks Candlelight for your kind and encouraging comment -  I will explore the idea of adding arps to A Spirit Unbroken -

I will try and finish both these pieces -maybe I will start a channel on YouTube for my compositions -I think this should motivate me more than anything else I can think of -

[zoecalgary]

Hi. Yes these are both worth finishing! I liked them both but I think I like the development of the first one more. It seemed to flow nicer to me. Also just some comments on how I felt or thought of as I listened. 

On the first one, there is a long rest...maybe needs to be shortened I thought the piece had ended.

With the second one there were parts that didn't seem to help with the flow. For example there is a part 3/4 of the way through where you use big loud crashing chords.  I understand I think what you were trying to do but it needs a bit more work. It felt too jarring to me.

For both...yes please keep working on them and finish them. You are onto something!

PS these are just my own thoughts and based on feelings. Not on any knowledge of composition so take all with a grain of salt!!

[starstruck5]

Thanks Zoe f0r listening and commenting -I wanted A Spirit Unbroken to Oscillate between reflection and anger -with some kind of Epiphany to finish -so Jarring is definitely what I was going for in the section you mention -

[emill]

Hello

I found your compositions from an audience point of view to be very likable and would easily fit into specific movie themes or plays. They have a gentle tune which glows with some hope or inspiration... specially the "unbroken spirit".  Really nice.

[furtwaengler]

There is something soothing about the oscillation of the accompaniment of An Unanswered Prayer...an ascending, soothing aroma though it may seem now unanswered, still it ascends. And with the melody it really is beautiful, a very pure beauty. 

A Spirit Unbroken. I like especially the serenity of the inner sections. You have a very nice sense of melody. The two voices in these sections seems exactly right, with nothing added...a calmness, a simplicity that is comforting, beautiful and really speaks to me on this night.

Please do not be troubled or discouraged. I can tell you've put a lot of thought into these compositions, and I hope you continue expressing yourself in this way.

Dave

[starstruck5]

There is something soothing about the oscillation of the accompaniment of An Unanswered Prayer...an ascending, soothing aroma though it may seem now unanswered, still it ascends. And with the melody it really is beautiful, a very pure beauty. 

A Spirit Unbroken. I like especially the serenity of the inner sections. You have a very nice sense of melody. The two voices in these sections seems exactly right, with nothing added...a calmness, a simplicity that is comforting, beautiful and really speaks to me on this night.

Please do not be troubled or discouraged. I can tell you've put a lot of thought into these compositions, and I hope you continue expressing yourself in this way.

Dave

Thanks for your kind comments -they really help -

[zoecalgary]

Thanks Zoe f0r listening and commenting -I wanted A Spirit Unbroken to Oscillate between reflection and anger -with some kind of Epiphany to finish -so Jarring is definitely what I was going for in the section you mention -

Well then, you really got your point across very well!! It really does contrast with the other sections very well.  When I hear regular songs with lyrics I can of course hear this easily. But with just music with no lyrics I sometimes feel one part doesn't quite fit with the next. (that's a lack of musical understanding on my part!). I am just finding now that I can add basic things like dynamics as I hear the movement of the melody and feel perhaps what a composer felt as they were writing that piece of music. But there is a long way to go for me! As I listen more carefully to the music I learn I think that will help. So instead of thinking Jarring I could think Anger, frustration or angst!

Keep going with these. Now I really need to hear more!