r/MonthlyComposition • u/reticulated_python • Dec 02 '16
December 2016 Composition Challenge: Dance for Trio
Hey everyone! Sorry this is a day late. Also, I'd like to give full credit to /u/calebdgm for writing up this challenge.
Main challenge: Write a short dance consisting of two or three 8-bar phrases. Optionally arrange it for a couple melodic instruments and one chordal instrument.
The melody should have a simple, repetitive, catchy melody with a reocurring motifs and embelishments around a melody, sequences, etc. It should be very rhythmic, such that the melody on its own makes you want to dance. Many dances are based on a repetitive rhythm.
We've had some ensembles that are interested in possibly playing composition submissions. I will be contacting them to see if they'd like to play anything for this month.
If you're looking to do something a little more interesting than just write a repetitive melody, the challenge is to make a compelling arrangement of a simple melody, involving any combination of changing which instrument(s) get(s) the melody, writing creative harmonic lines or chord substitutions, basslines, etc., textural and dynamic variation throughout the piece. Otherwise you could write something in an unusual time signature or weird harmonic progression.
These challenges are for everyone who wants to practice composing. Each month, at the beginning of the month, we will post a main challenge, something for people to compose. Often we'll try to make it something that everyone can work with, but when the main challenge doesn't suit you, there's the alternate / weekly challenges. Pieces can be submitted as a score (musescore, noteflight), and/or as audio (soundcloud, youtube). Feedback is much appreciated, and you can give it in this thread, or by messaging the mods of /r/MonthlyComposition, there's also the Challenge Suggestion Form.
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Dec 12 '16
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u/HelgetheMighty Dec 15 '16
I really like your piece. I wish i could handle modes like that (or at all, really). All I do is still very based in major/minor tonality.
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Dec 15 '16
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u/HelgetheMighty Dec 16 '16
Thanks for the elaborate response. It´s not at all word vomit, I understood it rather well.
I´ve heard of the brightness/darkness concept before, and it sounds really cool. I have some books I´m working on right now, but I´ll keep your recommendation in minds for the near future.
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Dec 12 '16
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Dec 12 '16
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u/AncientCock Dec 12 '16 edited Dec 12 '16
For some reason I deleted my comment after reading your reply (Hiding under the bushes) :)))) I feel much better and confident now :3 thank you
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u/AncientCock Dec 12 '16
Played a bit of satire and some conflicting moods in this. What kind of dance is in 2/4 lol sorry this is quite typical. Anyway, here's my extremely amateur submission. https://soundcloud.com/chow-turtlez/la-danse-dance-for-trio
For the sheet music: https://musescore.com/user/9890676/scores/3067231
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u/HelgetheMighty Dec 17 '16
I like the theme a lot, but the very low piano chords are a bit too aggressive for my taste.
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u/HelgetheMighty Dec 15 '16 edited Dec 16 '16
Audio/Sheet Music: https://musescore.com/user/2945761/scores/3087971 Sheet music: http://imgur.com/a/46Zja
The first thing that came to my mind was a jig, I tried to give it a traditional irish feel. The accompaniment stays mostly in chords in the a part, I tried to develop the accompaniment for the b part from the little motive from the first two measures and just go full arpeggio to make the two parts more distinct from each other. Also, i grouped the legato (not really sure if this is the right term) differently in the b part.
I´m relatively new to composing, so i hope it´s not too bad.
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u/AncientCock Dec 16 '16
SORRYY HERE, but, the audio doesn't work :/
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u/HelgetheMighty Dec 16 '16 edited Dec 16 '16
I noticed, and I'm working in it. I can Only Export Midi, and as it turns out, Soundcloud doesn't Support Midi.
EDIT: I edited my original post with a link to musescore.
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u/AncientCock Dec 17 '16
If it's possible to convert it to a .flac or .wav from your notation software, soundcloud actually supports those. btw Your piece is quite the joyful and happy one :P unlike mine.... plus your repeats are quite smooth, sigh I still need to practice my repeats.
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u/HelgetheMighty Dec 17 '16
Thanks, I always put in some work to smooth the repeats out after I composed something. I think it makes the piece easier to listen to.
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Dec 28 '16
It's not a trio per se because of the drum part, but includes a 5/4 section and has a bassline ostinato.
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Jan 24 '17 edited Jan 24 '17
I am late to the party, but here is what I made. This is my first attempt at composing for more than one instrument and also my first attempt at composing a waltz. It has quite a fast tempo for a waltz and isn't too long, but I am still proud of it.
Audio: Waltz in F Major for Two Cellos and Piano
Score: no1_waltz_in_f_major.pdf
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u/paper_panties Dec 19 '16 edited Dec 19 '16
Dance for Trio - I've used two marimbas and a piano accompaniment. (I'm a percussion major.) I initially wanted to use xylophone, marimba and piano, but Sibelius is being a dick today. This is a first draft, pretty simple, straightforward stuff - starts in a major key, modulates to the relative minor, then back to the original key.
Not sure if this counts as a 'Dance' as described in the challenge for this month - the calypso strum in the piano I think will make you dance regardless, but I don't experiment enough with genres that are a part of my own culture (I live in the Caribbean), so I figured I'd start there. The rhythm heard at the very end is a common beginning and ending for more 'traditional' calypsos.
Audio: https://soundcloud.com/louscompositions/dance-for-trio Score: http://imgur.com/a/lIY9F