Playing with Xylophones

[Frederik.Sjölund]

So.
Yesterday i purchased a new monitor for my pc. A 22" Widescreen LCD to be more accurate. I gotta tell ya, this is great for my music-making needs. More workspace, and the fact that it is widescreen lets me see more of the score without having to scroll. Besides that, i keep my 19" LCD as a secondary monitor where i can keep track of all my samplings and such.

Anywhoo, it all ended up in me playing around with the music and trying an instrument i rarely use in my music. The Xylophone.
So here is the work in progress of which my tests ended up in:
http://www.freds3d.com/wip/what_ees_dees03-01.mp3

Let me know what you all think!

Cheers!

[Gareth]

I like how you have added the strings, it creates really good intensity. I could hear that in a movie.

Cheers
Gareth.

[Krummhorn]

Frederik ...

Totally awesome! Will be anxious to hear how the total piece turns out.
Keep up the great work - you definetely have a unique gift in music creation.

[Frederik.Sjölund]

Thank you guys Apreciate it.

Here is a small update: http://www.freds3d.com/wip/what_ees_dees04.mp3
Note: At 1:27 i will moste likely continue on the theme before that point. The stuff after that was just a test and may not end up in the final song at all.

[Torsten Brandes]

Hi Frederik,

thanks for the pm. For me your new piece shows repetitive gestures derived from minimalism with open consonant harmonies. I really like this piece, especially the first version. In comparison with the second version I think, that the xylophone solo of the first version could have been a brilliant entrance to the piece, if you would have had the ability to develop it towards the entrance of the strings. Thats what I tried to explain in my last post. As I said, it will need time, but it´s worth it. I really like how the mallets go apart with the strings. But also there are much more possibilities of counterpoint, modulation and variation than you showed till now. Interesting is, that you nearly wrote for the instruments of our "ensemble für neue musik". Hope that my words don´t sound arrogant to you. You really have something with this piece.

All the best,

Torsten

[Frederik.Sjölund]

Thanks for your comments, Brandes.
I know i have lots to learn.
What i am originally going for is something similar to movie-music. Soundtrackish.

Everyone. Here is an update! http://www.freds3d.com/wip/what_ees_dees06.mp3

[Krummhorn]

Frederik,

It only gets better with each new version you post here. I do believe you are on the right track towards your goal for movie soundtracks. The percussions along with the xylophone certainly are the driving force for this composition, and keep the listener begging for more.
I might add that this piece also caught the attention of my 19 year old son who remarked "I liked that" - that from someone who is mostly into the rap craze. So, congrats too, from the young teenage generation on your splendid work here.

Lars

[Frederik.Sjölund]

Torsten Brandes:
Thank you again replying. My last reply was a bit short-minded so here is a more proper answer to your comments.

For me your new piece shows repetitive gestures derived from minimalism with open consonant harmonies.

Sometimes i have a hard time breaking free from the repetitiveness. Im not entirely sure of the reason, perhaps its because i find something i believe works and sounds nice to my ears and then i overuse it and develop a different layer of the tune. As for the term "minimalism with open consonant harmonies", im not sure what that means. Perhaps you could explain it some more? I dont really know any music-theory and that could be one of my many flaws.
The way my workflow is at this point is that i usually play around or experiment until i have something i like. And then i develop it further and add more to it, more "layers". I could imagine that i would be able to easier have a more dynamic tune if i concentrated on creating the entire melody before i go too much in depth on the other layers of instruments.

In comparison with the second version I think, that the xylophone solo of the first version could have been a brilliant entrance to the piece, if you would have had the ability to develop it towards the entrance of the strings.

If i understand you correctly you mean i should take that short tune from the first version and put it as an entrance? Thats not a bad idea actually. I might try that.

But also there are much more possibilities of counterpoint, modulation and variation than you showed till now.

Im not really sure of what counterpoint means. I will have to read up on that.

Interesting is, that you nearly wrote for the instruments of our "ensemble für neue musik".

I was very eager to try something new for a change, but i never got around doing it due to lack of time. I must practice more

Again, i thank you for your comments. Did you get a chance to listen to the latest version yet? There is a new part added.

Krummhorn:
Thank you for listening
Its nice when people lets me know what they think of my music. There are alot of people listening and still hiding in the shadows. So thanks!

The percussions along with the xylophone certainly are the driving force for this composition, and keep the listener begging for more.

That is actually pretty much how this song was started. I started playing around with some percussion i never used before (apart from the Timpanis) and then i added the Xylophone which plays synchronized with Vibes. And i just started experimenting with the combination and developed it further.

I might add that this piece also caught the attention of my 19 year old son who remarked "I liked that" - that from someone who is mostly into the rap craze. So, congrats too, from the young teenage generation on your splendid work here.

Thats fun to hear! It wasn't long ago that i was 19. Infact, i started making music at 21 and now im about to turn 23 this November.

Best Regards,
Frederik Sjölund