Your feedback please

[Scott]

Hello all,

I posted this on the main forum page and Dietz suggested I post it here for better response...

I have really come to value the opinions of the people on this forum. It is the best and most collegial forum I have ever seen.
In order to continue to hone my skills I was hoping that some of you would be willing to take the time to give me some feedback on my music. I would appreciate feedback on all three elements; composition, orchestration, and production. I have uploaded several pieces to Broadjam.com but the one I’m most interested in you hearing is “Voyage Home”. The title is really meaningless, the piece was not written with a program in mind. I titled it after it was finished and “Voyage Home” seemed as good a title as any. The piece was composed and recorded entirely with VSL. It contains no performance instruments with the exception of the solo violin.
To access the piece go to Broadjam.com and click search at the top of the page, type my name, Scott Reed, and then click search, next click the button for “Voyage Home”. I have found that Broadjam can sound tinny and somewhat phased so if anyone is interested I would be happy to send a CD via snail mail if you would like. Just email me your address at sreedmusic@aol.com.

Thank you in advance for your feedback,

Scott[/i]

[Audun Jemtland]

Hi, my favourite song is "Natural World". If I heard right there wasn't any reverb on voyage home. or? And I liked the string parts on one of those ambient songs...I would prefer to download the songs though so I can have a good listen, because my quicktime is ruined and can't hear a song without a shhhh sound all the way and some pops and clicks...

[Scott]

Thanks Audun,

I emailed you the pieces you mentioned in MP3 format. Perhaps they will give you a better chance to hear details. I will be most interested in any feedback you have.

I also hope to hear from as many others on this forum as possible. I am extremely impressed with how knowledgeable and generous the members of this forum/community are. I’m sure that any feedback from you would help me to grow as a coposer.

Thanks in advance,

Scott

[mathis]

Maybe you should make your music better accessable, it´s not really motivating to first having to read a manual.
But, after having read it, I gave it a listen. It´s not really my cup of tea so I don´t know if I should give comments on the musical side. What I like is your rhythmic approach, the beginning sounds like that one song by Bjork, was that an inspiration (the timpani)?
I see/hear now also that you´re quite curious to different styles, I think that´s a major plus. maybe you come to a point somewhen when you can mix that all together. At least that´s a wish for myself.
Generally you seem to be a pattern composer. nothing bad at it, but it could expand your range if you try to adapt more motivic/cell thinking. Personally, when something is pattern-composed I wish strong contrasts to keep it interesting.
Well, more said than I initially wanted, right? [;)]
Anyway great piece to impress your girlfriend, succeeded?

Sound/Mix-wise there are two major problems: Your instrumentation sounds quite thin. I´m not a real specialist to be able to point you precisely to certain points. I have big problems there, too. but I want to encourage you to read more classical partitures along with a good instrumentation book.
Your mixing skills need definitively improvement, but that´s another big thing. For the quick fix apply much more reverb.

Keep on working!
Bests,
- Mathis

[Scott]

@mathis said:

Maybe you should make your music better accessable, it´s not really motivating to first having to read a manual.

What I like is your rhythmic approach, the beginning sounds like that one song by Bjork, was that an inspiration (the timpani)?

Sound/Mix-wise there are two major problems: Your instrumentation sounds quite thin. I´m not a real specialist to be able to point you precisely to certain points. I have big problems there, too. but I want to encourage you to read more classical partitures along with a good instrumentation book.

Mathis,

Thanks for taking the time to listen to, and comment on my piece. I’m a little confused about the trouble you seemed to have accessing my music. It should have been a simple matter of a couple of mouse clicks and typing my name. Was there a problem with the Broadjam web site?

As far as being influence by Bjork, no, I don’t believe I have ever heard the piece you are referring to.

Lastly you mentioned some study materials, so I was wondering if you had any in particular that you would suggest.

Thanks again,

Scott

ps I still would like to hear from as many others on this forum as possible. [:)]