Very very good !!!

How much music (in hours and minutes) have you written ?

The style comes over as somewhere between Edgar Froese (Tangerine Dream), Vangelis and an instrumental Enya. I'm wondering what input you have that led to type of sound that you get. Which music do you most like ?

Does the (unfortunately very expensive) Tyros 2 give you the various sounds, or do you get those by plugging it in to the computer and by using computer software ?

Do you record on to the computer and mix it there, or use separate recording equipment ?

How many tracks did you use ?

1. How much music in hours and minutes? Impossible to say.I have manuscripts all over the place,,,some with tiny little tunes I have scribbled down,others full piano scores.I am a spontaneous worker I guess,putting down one track,then playing various bits over the top until I achieve something hopefully audible.

2.Style...I love all kinds of music...no particular influence but I llove celtic rhythms and sounds.The stuff I wrote last year is less orchestral,more contemporary ...lots of guitars and driving rhythms.
Started by writing worship songs.
But I have to add..I have no illusions about my limitations .I certainly do not regard myself as a "composer" I just have a heart to capture tunes that bounce around in my head and would just love to use any tool I can to raise money..you know.

3.I use the Tyros for most of the sounds but my husband bought me East West Rare Instruments program and Bosendorfer for Christmas.I have yet to get to grips with them...Can`t wait to use the rare insts sounds.
But I am not a computer boffin which is why I need the [practical aspect of playing...more in tune with my pian istic training.
Couldn`t write using a computer.

4.I record using a Protools Mbox2 system.Again this goes through the pc but I still do all the playing.I could record straight into the Tyros but I need the visual side of seeing the wavelengths etc on the screen.
I could record in MIDI to make life easier when editing.Much of what you hear has been me banging something down...so if a mistake is made,it is more difficult to correct it...

5.The number of tracks. RHYTHM : MULTIPAD; MOVIE STRINGS; SLOW STRINGS; PAN LEAD; CELLO; SOLO VIOLIN;GOTHIC VOX [low] ;' GOTHIC VOX [high] ...at least....often go back and add a few bars of something or other.
This is for Piece 1.
PIECE 2. only about 4 ...sometimes put rhythm and bass line down together...depends.

I hope this is helpful? You sound as if you know what you are talking about. I hope to goodness I am not chatting to a professional musician/composer.
joking,

NO..truly...this is my way of losing myself and trying to maintain a sharp brain.I don`t want to go down the road of dementia or memory loss ...
As I said before...I am not deluding myself that I have a fantastic career in composing...lol

If you are truly interested in doing this yourself,please stay in touch.If you are an expert...then you can give me some advice...

Thank you very much for your interest. I am grateful you have taken the time to listen to my music.

You don't describe yourself as a composer, but you very obviously are. The first composition is very good. You've arranged it very well as well, putting the different layers together at a level that most musicians don't achieve. Maybe your love of Celtic music is why I thought there was a hint of Enya, because she has recorded both Celtic music with Clannad, and solo keyboard synthesizer music.

It would be good if leave a legacy by putting together all the pieces and bits of pieces in to recorded form. Due to recent changes in technology, somebody no longer needs recording studios, manufacturers, distributors and record companies. People can record on to computers and enable downloads themselves via the Internet. Anybody can be a recording artist nowadays with or without a record company.

I thought that the first track was largely keyboard synthesizer, but the second track sounds like you've got people backing you. Shows how good synthesizers are nowadays.

"I hope to goodness I am not chatting to a professional musician/composer".

No you're not, but (besides being a cartoon duck) I used to play professionally and write music. I got bored with performing. It's far better to do recording, which is what you have done.

...you being a professional musician...i feel extremely priveleged that you have found my music to be pleasing.Well...some of it. It goes without saying that there are many flaws,but I am a real novice at this game...and much of what I am doing technically is by trial and error.
I so value your input,advice,constructive criticism.Thank you for the reassuring words about the first piece.I actually gave you the tracks of the
3rd piece earlier...sorry
and any further guidance would be welcomed.I am so determined to get this off the ground so any help,another musical ear to hone and refine...well what can I say..GREAT!!!
That is not to negate the valuable comments of people who are not musicians but who just enjoy music. Just as important...

It`s interesting that you thought there were musicians present in the 2nd piece.It is certainly "full" but nope...just me and the Tyros.
As we speak I am using my East West Rare insts program and I am drifting away with the Uillean Pipes.Oh how I love that haunting sound. I guess you are right..Enya.
Please keep on with your comments and thoughts. I need this so badly.
x

keep on making music steffi. we believe in you.

At present the leading instrument sounds oboe like. I'm a bit prejudiced against oboes, since my attempts at playing one sounded like somebody spitting down a drainpipe ! Have you tried out different instrument sounds for the leading instrument ?


It might sound better with classical guitar, as in the Spanish composer Rodrigo's concerto like pieces, in which he goes from solo instrument to strings as you have done.


Solo violin might work. Irish band The Chieftains really good song "Women of Ireland" goes from solo violin to ensemble in this way. It would then be virtually all strings. The sound of the violin can be sustained just as the oboe can.


The harp might apeal to your Celtic tastes, using a combination of single notes and chords. Both Rodrigo in his concerto, and The Chieftains in an intro to "Women of Ireland" use the harp to good effect.


A mellow solo trumpet is another possibility. It has the sustain of an oboe but is a milder sound. Jazz guitarist John McLaughlin's best composition was Mediteranean Concerto - his only classical composition. In the slow movement, instead of starting with guitar and then going in to strings, he starts with a mellow sounding trumpet, which works really well.

Many thanks for all this wonderfully creative thought ...
It is time for me to confess I am afraid....

The three pieces on here were put down in a matter of a few hours.Much of what you hear on here is without a great deal of editing...which to the trained ear,is evident.I am too impatient at the minute to sit for hours tweaking away...but...BUT...if I know there is the remotest possibility of any of my stuff being enjoyed by Joe Public then I am so prepared to go the whole hog and exhaust the possibilities of my Mbox2.
These are "working" documents if you like and require much more thought process.Although the Tyros2 is aa magnificient workstation.it has limitations on the reproduction of solo instruments.I chose the oboe because it had the most plaintive sound out of the woodwind section.The cello also is more close to a good likeness to the real thing than many of the other solo strings.
In terms of appropriate choice...
I love your suggestions and will play around with other sounds.I love guitar,but again,I need to familiarise myself with all kinds of guitar styles and choose aptly.Its no good me bunging in a Jazz guitar [just because i like the sound] if a jazz guitarist in reality wouldn`t entertain the mixture or run of notes I `d written.But I am using my East West program more now which has some fai thful repro sounds on it.
You are so right though.I guess I tentatively put these pieces out in much of a raw state as I didn`t really have that much belief in myself.
Most of the work I do is recorded inbetween cooking pasta


I need knocking into touch.Guess it`s time to take myself a little more seriously.
Thank you so much for this.Just what I needed.Will work on your excellent suggestions.
x

It took me a year to get a decent sound out of a oboe. The trick is learning/training your lips to squeeze themselves and therefore the reeds together. It is an infuriating woodwind to play!!
Once I learned how to make a decent sound I quit!!!
I discovered I had no desire to be in the school band. So I went back to my beloved piano.

Charlie

Dear Steffi,

Don't listen to those guys! Your choice of oboe as the primary solo instrument is perfect. An oboe can sound mystical, sorrowful, and many other emotions better than any other instrument.

Charlie, you had a bad teacher if they told you to bite down on the reed to get a sound. No wonder you stopped trying. You must have blown your brains out your ears if that is how you tried to play it. Not a pretty picture.

Clarinet is my first instrument, but oboe is my second, followed by flute and lastly, as embarrassed as I am to say it, the saxophone family.

Steffi I envy your ability to compose music. It is a gift from God. I can only play what is written for me which is not nearly as original as your creativity. Bless you for sharing it with us.

Vicky

Vicky, sorry I gave the impression that one had to bite down on the reeds. Of course this is NOT true! I remember
leaving class with my lips numb and tingling from trying to play that little dickens!
It gives one a whole new appreciation for oboe and bassoon players!!
Charlie