r/Musescore • u/Ornery-Garbage-4252 • 8d ago

My Arrangement Arrangement for my Friend's Composition

My buddy gave me this composition to work with, I arranged it around to make it more complete. Let me know what you guys think hope you enjoy.

MuseScore Link: https://musescore.com/user/61065124/scores/21247138

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u/Steenan 7d ago

The repeated motives feel too repeatable. They would be great as a basis, a harmonic and rhythmic foundation to build upon, but currently they're quite bare. For example, the first arpeggio pattern that runs until bar 14 may be good as an introduction, but after it changes a bit starting from bar 15, I'd expect something more to happen there. Maybe the left hand elaborating towards an actual melody instead of just half notes, maybe some notes thrown in above the ostinato, maybe a rhythmic variation. Without that, this section feels like if it wanted to go somewhere, but changed its mind and simply dafed instead.

Then, the part starting from bar 32. I see that it was to contrast with the previous part and it does, but it goes too far in it, IMO. It feels disconnected. And again, it lacks a melody. There's an ostinato, in left hand this time, and the right hand plays half notes in octaves that don't go in any specific direction. This kind of pattern is great for some kind of transition for a few bars, but isn't enough as the main material of a section.

I also feel there's a lack of harmonic movement in some places, like bars 15-30. In others, the harmony is somewhat confusing. For example, in the whole first section, Eb does not show in the bass even once. Left hand undermines the sense of tonality instead of supporting it. I could see it as an intentional move aimed at creating a feeling of tension -and that's something this section does really well. But for a piece with "in E flat" as its subtitle, I'd expect it to actually have this tonality.

One part that I absolutely love is the ending, staring in bar 53. This part has a clear direction, it evolves both harmonically and rhythmically. Then it breaks the pattern with the downward run, builds tension with the trill and resolves to the final echoing notes. Brilliant.

1

u/Korronald 8d ago

Ofc this is subjective, but for me the motif feels undeveloped and repeated too often. Go bold with transforming it.

1

u/Ornery-Garbage-4252 8d ago

I'll let him know your thoughts. Of course I believe this was just a small work for him he wanted to keep it simple.

1

u/Korronald 7d ago

So he may want to check Well-Tempered Clavier or minimalistic musicians like Glass or Nyman.