Score: 8

"Too random"

submission: Brandston Remix Version .05

date: July 18, 2006

Alright I'm going to try to give you as much feedback as possible, to help you out with the contest.

First off, the whole song sounds really random, there are long pauses between some parts, and some things don't sound like they fit together. Make sure your song sounds like one whole song and not a bunch of clips.

In the beginning, you have a snare hitting on the first beat of the measure, which sound very awkward. In a basic drum beat the snare will hit on the 2 and 4 of a measure in 4/4, not the 1 and 3. It throws off the beat.

Try putting your parts together using a metronome, and only put new sections in at the beginning of each measure, not over another part. This will give a better feel to the whole piece, it would sound like it has hic-ups in places.

Hope you do well, and that other people leave you other comments.

Good start, and keep at it!

Score: 10

"I loved the chordal structure"

submission: Mazurka in E minor (1:15)

date: July 18, 2006

This sounded like it had a Beethoven influence to it also.

Here is where I think it could improve. Well for one, it sounded very midi, which, although does not effect the music in a structural way, detracted from the overall performance. Since you can play the piano well enough to play this without too much difficulty, I would suggest playing this and recording it on a real piano, or using a nicer VST to play it. That may be out of your control, however.

A Mazurka is a (polish) dance. I was pleased to hear that you accented the 2nd beat of each measure (I hear people accent the first beat when performing Mazurkas sometimes, which isn't correct). You have to keep in mind that Mazurkas are traditionally lively, though. I can't picture many people actually dancing to this, although I love the chordal structure of it. I suggest speeding the tempo up slightly, and rethinking your first section. Although I liked the tonal instability at the beginning, I don't think it is a good way to begin a Mazurka.

Listen to the Mazurka in Bb by Chopin for an example of a very lively Mazurka, but with a tonally unstable C section.

Remember, all of these are my own opinion and others may disagree with me. But if this was my piece, I would aim for a more 'traditional' (if that is what you would call it) Mazurka.

Very good work though, I am impressed by many aspects of this piece!

5/5

Score: 10

"Great feel"

submission: Names

date: July 18, 2006

I loved the feel of this piece, the drums complimented the piano very well, the really accented the sorrowful mood of the piece.

Unfortunately, the piano wasn't at a very high quality compared to everything else, but it still was well written and didn't detract much from the overall piece. The guitar was a nice addition, although the voices behind it were very difficult to understand.

All in all, excellent work!

5/5

Score: 10

"Wow"

submission: _-/| A moments Peace

date: July 18, 2006

This sounds more polished than your previous work. I see you enjoy using the tambourine, you included it in your last piece. I would suggest softening it a bit, but that is only a suggestion, as others may like it as loud as it is.

The animal sounds gave it a really calming sound. I could see this being at the beginning of an epic movie (such as Lord of the Rings). Watch out for clashing harmonies, a few creeped into your pieces.

Again, I would suggest having more underlying long tones in the basses (and in this piece, the upper register too). It would give the piece much more body and a firmer foundation. Be sure to keep them quiet though. I could picture a really high violin motif accent the piece in times.

Great work, once again. Can't wait to hear more from you!

5/5

Score: 10

"very well done"

submission: _-/| Solemn Voices

date: July 18, 2006

Your stuff reminds me of MaestroSorrow and Milkman an a bit, it's probably the drumming. I would suggest you write in more parts in the basses, sometimes the piece felt like it was lacking a solid bass. Some pizzcato in the double bass could really sound neat in places, like people are tiptoeing around.

Your music fit your description nicely, I could certainly see ghosts creeping along in a graveyard, or something along those lines. Great work!

5/5

Score: 10

"Great Job once again"

submission: Blink of an Eye--_--(1:00)

date: July 17, 2006

Another great piece (or great start, anyway). I would suggest different notes when the pedaling bassline comes in. I generally like to use the 1 of every chord, it helps give the piece stability and solidifies the chordal structure.

So, instead of mainly pedaling E, start off with A, and then go to F and G (replace E with A). I think that would really improve the piece, although a simple chage. It's all in one's tastes though, so what I may like you may not, and vice versa. Do whatever you hear. It is your piece, after all :).

This could be a nice little trancey work if finished. You could really develop the melody if you wanted to, you gave yourself a lot to work with.

Keep it up, and hang in there!

5/5

Score: 10

"Great job!"

submission: The Attic--_--(2:11)

date: July 16, 2006

Hey there Zenon, it's been a while since I checked out your stuff. Glad I did though, you've gotten a lot better since I last checked you out.

The piece built up very well, and kept my interest. You kept layering on new parts, which kept it fresh. And that's saying something, too many electronic songs are the same thing over and over again.

Great job, see you on the forums (eventually)!

5/5

I'm gonna go ahaid and 5 some of your stuff, some of your scores are a little low.

Score: 10

"wow"

submission: >==Moonlight Sonata==<

date: July 16, 2006

This sounded great, very erie. I never knew that this piece would shine on guitar as much as it does on piano! Also, I loved the little background choirs and sound, they really supliment the whole piece.

Great job, this is an awsome display of your other side. I look forward to hearing more stuff form you!

5/5

Score: 10

"Great stuff!"

submission: *+ *...Frozen...*+ *

date: July 16, 2006

Awsome playing, another great piece to add to my collection! The only thing I noticed was that the guitar was slightly off of the drums occasionally, but only very very slightly, not a big deal at all.

Very well done!

5/5

Score: 10

"well written"

submission: -SOES-Lazarus

date: July 16, 2006

This piece is quite well written, I enjoyed it quite a bit. What sequencer are you using? You could use some better sound samples, that was what detracted from the piece the most.

In general though, the piece had a nice feel to it, and I really enjoyed the melody.

Keep it up!

P.S- I'm going to go ahaid and 5 a bunch of your recent submissions, some of them deserve a score much higher than they have.