Modern dramatic Classical/Orchestral

[mazz]

Hi Georgie,Yes, Ghost Ballet is signed to a publisher, one of my first TAXI deals, as a matter of fact!Re editing: It's an ongoing process to learn to edit and yes, sometimes it feels like slash and burn!! LOL But it's really liberating to listen back and realize that the editing made the piece stronger and more cohesive (when it actually does, of course! ). Editing and rewriting are crucial skills to learn and part of learning that is getting over the trepidation that your creation is going to be ruined. Besides, as you said, with computers you can keep every version just in case! My composition teacher would break out his eraser collection every time I showed up for a lesson and it was hard at first but I really learned so much watching him go through the process of trying different things out and coming up with much better solutions on the spot. Your music will be much better for it, I guarantee it!!!!Keep going!Mazz

[jazzstan]

I agree with folks above that it needs to "get to the chorus" a bit sooner. A couple of compositional distractions (and this is my own personal issue)... with two moving lines, I find it much easier to listen if there is only a one-step difference, such as 1/4 notes and 1/8th notes. There was one 16th note section that tended to pull me toward it, whereas if it were mixed & eq'd to the background a bit more, it would have let the other (counter?) melody line have the center stage. There's potential for more contrast (and suspense/tension) if the two lines can take turns being dominant.

[georginasaint]

Hi Stan, many thanks for your thoughts. All great feedback - I will listen with this in mind when I start editing. I think I know which bit you mean with the 16th notes and the cellos coming up slower alongside, so maybe I'll pull the piano & harp back further in that bit. Thanks again, Georgie

[t4mh]

Newbie here...I really like this piece of music! It is very compelling. I would worry that there is not quite enough build or movement. But then how much is enough... It is so difficult to understand what the listing is asking for. Its like, if they would tell us exactly what they want, we would write it and be done. I would submit this piece and hopefully you will tell us what the outcome is.I agree that gear is not necessarily as important to the idea. However, being new to this sort of thing, I am interested in what software/gear you use for these sounds.

[georginasaint]

Hi t4mh, Welcome to Taxi and the forum!Thanks for the listen and taking the time to post.You raise an interesting point which comes up again and again. How do we write music for a film scene when we have no idea how long the scene is and at what points it builds?! I don't know what happens with library music used in this context and perhaps an experienced composer reading this can enlighten me. Do they edit the music? Do they contact the composer and ask for edits? Edit the film to fit the music (ha ha!) or what? How does that work? Yes for us, it's all guess-work. There was a listing a while ago for horror building to stabbing - no clue as to how long it was before we got to the stabbing - 10 seconds or 3 minutes?Anyway, I am assuming it will all become clear at some point. Meanwhile I do try to write my pieces as long as I can so that there's more to play with should it need editing. I will be editing this particular piece of music over the next couple of days in order to submit on Jan 5 and i'll repost it and then you can see if you think it's improved or not! I'm thinking of submitting this version and my edited version as well because this particular listing will be critiqued (and very few that I submit to are, these days) So I think it's worth $5. WRT gear, like many orchestral writers on these boards, I use East West Quantum Leap Gold and record in Cubase. I found out quickly that if you're writing orchestral instrumentals, anything less won't cut it. Good luck to you on your Taxi journey - look forward to hearing your music!Georgie

[t4mh]

Hello georginasaint and everyone here! Thanks for the welcome.My understanding of "big name" film score composers is that they get to spend at least some of their days in a recording studio with a full orchestra at their disposal. We cannot possibly compete on the same level. However, do you think the listings may be trying to find people who can create rather than finding a particular creation? I guess they could use snippets...I haven't ever actually recorded any of my orchestral works though I would like to very much. They are all on paper at this point. I am presently checking out software for this. I have been looking at Vienna Instruments but I will check out the Quantum software also. I don't feel like the quality of my "sounds" is high enough at this point to go forward with any of this. Maybe I am under-estimating and second guessing...I have Cubase but I like my Sonar better. I have used various editions of Cakewalk for many years for Rock & Pop sequences. I just haven't ever tried to sell anything. Duh...I will look forward to hearing your edited edition. Good Luck!