Original Composition - Partita in F

[kakeithewolf]

I've been working on a small partita for harpsichord (which I plan to be about 11 minutes) and so far, I have the first half done: a gigue, a sinfonia, and an air.

I'm not sure if I'm quite going in a very Baroque direction, though my intention would be to stay Baroque. I'm hoping for clarification on whether or not I'm straying from that goal.

[awesom_o]

I'm not sure if I'm quite going in a very Baroque direction, though my intention would be to stay Baroque. I'm hoping for clarification on whether or not I'm straying from that goal.

It sounds to me as though you composed this using a computer, and have not actually mastered it on a real keyboard instrument.

In the Baroque era, composers did not have access to computers! They played their compositions on real instruments. This is how they developed great mastery!

If you are really interested in cultivating your very own Baroque style (which I think is a great idea, by the way) try composing in the true historical style, with the ACTUAL tools that the master used.

Paper, pen, keyboard, imagination.

Those are the only four things that you need!

I can always tell whether music was composed using a computer program, or whether it was composed using genuine musical skill.

[kakeithewolf]

It sounds to me as though you composed this using a computer, and have not actually mastered it on a real keyboard instrument.

In the Baroque era, composers did not have access to computers! They played their compositions on real instruments. This is how they developed great mastery!

If you are really interested in cultivating your very own Baroque style (which I think is a great idea, by the way) try composing in the true historical style, with the ACTUAL tools that the master used.

Paper, pen, keyboard, imagination.

Those are the only four things that you need!

I can always tell whether music was composed using a computer program, or whether it was composed using genuine musical skill.

I have tried the route of handwriting before, but unfortunately, I have absolutely rotten pensmanship. The only reason it is even done on computer is so it is... well, legible.

Even ignoring that, for the concept of actually playing it, there's a monetary problem there. I have nowhere near enough money to buy a harpsichord, and the keyboard that I have has the same problem as a computer soundfont: The quality is terrible. So, honestly, I'm stuck choosing the lesser of two evils.

Believe me, if I had access to instruments, I'd take advantage of it.

Edit - I also just realized that, because my hands are on the small side, I can't play certain parts of it.

[awesom_o]

I'm currently saving money to buy a harpsichord. Expensive little things, I'm afraid.

I'm afraid there are a great many monetary problems related to the composition of art music.

You have to realize that a composer is a type of artist. There is no excuse for an artist to have absolutely rotten penmanship.

Mastery of composition is a far more difficult thing to achieve than half-decent, legible penmanship.

Do you have an upright piano?

[kakeithewolf]

I'm currently saving money to buy a harpsichord. Expensive little things, I'm afraid.

I'm afraid there are a great many monetary problems related to the composition of art music.

You have to realize that a composer is a type of artist. There is no excuse for an artist to have absolutely rotten penmanship.

Mastery of composition is a far more difficult thing to achieve than half-decent, legible penmanship.

Do you have an upright piano?

Believe me, people gave their best shot at trying to make me have decent penmanship. Years of therapy for motor skill and obsessively making me use cursive and handwriting, but nothing can help. I have involuntary hand tremors due to medicines that keep me from being a ranting and insane mess, so I can't do a lot of things well with my hands.

And unfortunately, I don't have an upright. All I have is an electronic keyboard of questionable quality (the piano and harpsichord are horrid).

[awesom_o]

How can you expect to learn anything about recreating or reenacting the Baroque era when you have only a computer and an electronic keyboard? 

I know music is an expensive pursuit!

Did you know one of the most common instruments of the Baroque era was the Alto Recorder?

It was called the flauto dolce, or 'sweet flute'. Many of the great Baroque composers wrote extensively for it, such as Telemann and Vivaldi!

You can buy a high-quality plastic instrument made by Yamaha for around 50 dollars, and teach yourself to become proficient within three or four months!

In all honesty, doing this would teach you far more about Baroque composition than mucking about on Finale or Sibelius.

[coda_colossale]

Maybe learning counterpoint, harmony (for your purpose, seek commonly used baroque cadences like the picardy third) and form would be more rewarding than learning to play the Alto Recorder? Study theory. It is absolutely essential for competent composership. Even John Cage could analyze a Bach fugue. And the good thing is, anyone with an ear good enough to discriminate C from C# and 3/4 from 4/4 can learn music theory.

[awesom_o]

Maybe learning counterpoint, harmony (for your purpose, commonly used baroque cadences like the picardy third) and form would be more rewarding than learning to play the Alto Recorder? Study theory. It is absolutely essential for competent composership. Even John Cage could analyze a Bach fugue.

Personally, I find my alto to be the most rewarding of all the instruments I study.

Not only is it completely portable, but it can also function as a self-defense weapon in a tight spot.

This New Years, I got an entire bus full of Scottish people to sing 'Auld Lang Syne' with not but a single alto recorder!  

It was joyous!

[coda_colossale]

Personally, I find my alto to be the most rewarding of all the instruments I study.

Not only is it completely portable, but it can also function as a self-defense weapon in a tight spot.

This New Years, I got an entire bus full of Scottish people to sing 'Auld Lang Syne' with not but a single alto recorder! 

It was joyous!

I play the alto recorder too for enjoyment and relaxation, actually, though probably I'm far worse than you. It's sound is so, pastoral. But in my country it is used for elementary music education which is obligatory for all students, therefore I have little respect for it. And it doesn't help me with composing at all except simulating some passages in the absence of an actual(!) woodwind player.

[awesom_o]

But in my country it is used for elementary music education which is obligatory for all students, therefore I have little respect for it.

The soprano recorder is used here in some schools, but never the alto. Are you certain the alto is used in schools?

Have you heard this man play?

The beauty of his tone brings tears to my eyes! His phrasing and articulation are sublime! He is also one of the world's finest conductors, and a wonderful composer as well.

[coda_colossale]

App

The soprano recorder is used here in some schools, but never the alto. Are you certain the alto is used in schools?

Have you heard this man play?

The beauty of his tone brings tears to my eyes! His phrasing and articulation are sublime! He is also one of the world's finest conductors, and a wonderful composer as well.

Apparently, only the soprano recorder is used in state schools. In my school, we even had a recorder ensemble.

And yes, I absolutely love Brüggen My father had introduced me to Baroque music when I was very young. My first compositions when I first learned notation (I was 9 or 10), were for the recorder.

[awesom_o]

My first compositions when I first learned notation (I was 9 or 10), were for the recorder.

Don't you think it's pretty important to write a few pieces for a small instrument that can only play a single line before attempting to write more polyphonic music for larger musical forces such as the piano? 

[kakeithewolf]

I am thankful for the advice I was given here. So, before I attempt to go further with any of my works, I think it's for the best that I take a class for music theory.

[awesom_o]

Good idea! 

[coda_colossale]

As far as I have seen, you are artistically sensitive (and poetic) and intelligent. I have no doubt on my mind that you will over time be a very interesting composer.

[kakeithewolf]

As far as I have seen, you are artistically sensitive (and poetic) and intelligent. I have no doubt on my mind that you will over time be a very interesting composer.

Just not for piano. For some reason, I can't do anything but improvisation for it.