Time for orchestration Challenge #13!

[oldbob]

Hi all, it's time for the new orchestration challenge already!
Since last time Randy (Bowser) offered a whole-tone theme I want to post a theme based on the diminished scale, built alternating a whole-tone and a half-tone. In this case it's a c# dim. scale (C#-D#-E-F#-G-A-Bb-C).
As usual you can do whatever you like with the given melody, as long as it is heard at least once in the piece and is substantially recognizable.
Good work everybody! :|:

http://www.robertosoggetti.com/Challenge13.jpg

[Richard N.]

Hi ROberto, could you shrink the graphic down please - the right hand side is cut off!

[vivmarsh]

Richard - if you want to print it, just other-click on it (right-click for right-handers) and choose Save Target As, then stick it onto your desktop (this is assuming you're using a PC....) - the whole thing will then print, not just the bit that's showing on the forum.
Roberto - what's the cutoff date for submissions, please ? And does the use of the theme have to be with the given note-values or can we play around a bit with them ?
Thanks !

[vivmarsh]

Save Picture As, not Save Target As. Sorry.
:(

[oldbob]

Richard, sorry for the graphic issue...I wanted to preserve an acceptable resolution (150dpi) but the image is big on the screen. In my browser that's no problem, I can scroll the window to the right and see the other portion of the score... please do as Viv suggested, or teach me how to shrink the image, thanks

Viv, we usually allow one month to compose about 2 minutes of music. As for changing durations, not only it is possible, but I took it for granted! The theme only presents the material, then it's up to you to de-compose it and use the deconstructed elements to re-compose something original. Transposition, augmentation, diminution, inversion, retrograde, even looser relations like melodic profile imitation, change of mode, are all allowed processes, as long as you keep somehow consistent to the given melody.

best regards

[rbowser-]

Hi, Roberto

I've re-sized your image in Photo Shop--Let's see if this works for folks. --AND--will you be posting a MIDI file of your theme also? That can be helpful.--rbowser

http://rbowser.tripod.com/challenge-13-roberto.gif

[oldbob]

Randy, thank you for your help and for reminding me to post a midi file of the theme! Here it is:

http://www.robertosoggetti.com/Chall13.mid

best

[oldbob]

...and you may want to experiment with the various harmonies hidden in the diminished scale. Here we have:

http://www.robertosoggetti.com/Dim%20Harmony.jpg

This kind of chords have been heard in compositions since early '900, from Stravinsky to Messiaen, Shostakovich, down to Gil Evans, Klaus Ogerman, Herbie Hancock and many others. I hope you'll have fun...

[trentpmcd]

...and you may want to experiment with the various harmonies hidden in the diminished scale. Here we have:


This kind of chords have been heard in compositions since early '900, from Stravinsky to Messiaen, Shostakovich, down to Gil Evans, Klaus Ogerman, Herbie Hancock and many others. I hope you'll have fun...

Hi Roberto. Interesting Theme.

Last night I improvised on the piano for about a half hour using this scale and kept coming up with music that reminded me of the composers you mentioned (except I don't know Klaus Ogerman). I’ve never played with this scale before so it was sort of eye opening – so that’s what they were doing.

Looks and sounds like it will be another interesting, and challenging, Challenge.

[oldbob]

Hi Roberto. Interesting Theme.

Last night I improvised on the piano for about a half hour using this scale and kept coming up with music that reminded me of the composers you mentioned (except I don't know Klaus Ogerman). I’ve never played with this scale before so it was sort of eye opening – so that’s what they were doing.

Looks and sounds like it will be another interesting, and challenging, Challenge.

hi Trent, nice to know you found it interesting, and challenging. That was exactly my intent. I do believe this kind of harmony, though very dissonant sometimes (it is possible to stack all 8 tones in a single chord), has a strong inner order. Used along with more consonant harmonies it may provide beautiful tension-release effects...;)

[oldbob]

And just being picky.... but shouldn't those be C#s in the beginning?:p;);)

Tom

haha sure, Tom, but seriously I think in symmetrical modes the use of enharmonia is very common:)

[rbowser-]

"...And just being picky.... but shouldn't those be C#s in the beginning?..."

"...haha sure, Tom, but seriously I think in symmetrical modes the use of enharmonia is very common..."

Yes, well, you guys can banter about the academic details of things, but MEanwhile, I just want to thank you, Roberto, for a very cool, interesting motif for us to work with.

I thought My Challenge 12 lived up to the description of "challenge" but you have definitely come up with a Very good and challenging theme for us to work with on this one!

Thank you, my friend over seas in Italy.

Randy B.
(rbowser)

[SeanHannifin]

Fun theme, Roberto, it will be interesting to fool around with the diminished scale!

I've updated the archives: http://www.wizardwalk.com/OrchestrationChallenges/

Let us know whether or not you'd like to collect the entries and when you think a good due date would be... (it's usually around four weeks).

Congrats again on your victory! :) I look forward to playing around with this theme!

[rbowser-]

Thanks, Sean--It's great that the Challenge info page has been updated, so everyone can see what the rules are, and what the history of the event is.

And I certainly agree that Rorberto's theme for Challenge #13 is fun!

Randy B.
(rbowser)
Winner of Challenge #11

[oldbob]

I thought My Challenge 12 lived up to the description of "challenge" but you have definitely come up with a Very good and challenging theme for us to work with on this one!

Randy B.
(rbowser)

Randy, my friend, finding a challenging theme after the one you submitted in the last challenge was no easy task, I'm glad you think I did it

[oldbob]

Let us know whether or not you'd like to collect the entries and when you think a good due date would be... (it's usually around four weeks).
How about june 28 as a deadline?


Congrats again on your victory! :) I look forward to playing around with this theme!
Thank you, Sean! As for collecting the entries, I used to think they had to be sent to you...

[rayzalaf]

Roberto,

I've kept a eye on this thread since you posted your score.
I did the same for Randy's and tried to ignore all the scholarly chat.
I was just sticking my head in the sand.
It seems to me the challenge is now like being at school and demonstrating some superior knowledge of the history of musical scales.

I'm sure I can use your score to begin creating something but only as a means to an end as I did in #12.

Perhaps I'll just leave the class and stand outside having a smoke.

Kind Regards

Ray

[SeanHannifin]

How about june 28 as a deadline?


Thank you, Sean! As for collecting the entries, I used to think they had to be sent to you...

The deadline sounds fine to me. :)

I certainly don't mind collecting the entries as I've done for most of the rounds, but if the winner prefers to collect the entries, it's up to you... :D

[oldbob]

Roberto,

I've kept a eye on this thread since you posted your score.
I did the same for Randy's and tried to ignore all the scholarly chat.
I was just sticking my head in the sand.
It seems to me the challenge is now like being at school and demonstrating some superior knowledge of the history of musical scales.
My friend, when I posted this theme I said to myself "I'm doing a dirty trick to Ray with this one" but immediately after I thought that with your talent and musicality you might find a way to create a great piece of music on it just skipping all the theory speeches. Ray, believe me, I didn't want to show off my knowledge of scales... I just wanted to post something that would challenge the contributors...


I'm sure I can use your score to begin creating something but only as a means to an end as I did in #12.

Perhaps I'll just leave the class and stand outside having a smoke.

Kind Regards

Ray
Ray, smoking is harmful, I hope you'll stay inside and compose one of your sterling pieces:)

PS are those bison horns under your nose a sign of contentiousness? :D

[robmanderson]

It's time, methinks, for a silly question :)

Where or to whom do we post our entries?

Rob

[trentpmcd]

e-mail them (or e-mail a link) to Sean Hannifin. Or send a private message to him. Look back a few posts for his info and for the web site for the challenge.

[robmanderson]

Thanks Trent.

[rayzalaf]

Ray, smoking is harmful, I hope you'll stay inside and compose one of your sterling pieces:)

PS are those bison horns under your nose a sign of contentiousness? :D

Roberto, my friend,

It's a terrible habit, so I've ditched the handbars and looked out the shades.
I'm now going incognito! :D

Nobody will know me so I can say what I like without reply.
In fact, if I stir it up too much, nobody will talk to me.

I feel so inadequate among such learned musical graduates, but I’ll see what I can do with this jumble of notes you’ve given. :(

Happy days

Ray

[Leaf]

...and you may want to experiment with the various harmonies hidden in the diminished scale. Here we have:

http://www.robertosoggetti.com/Dim%20Harmony.jpg

This kind of chords have been heard in compositions since early '900, from Stravinsky to Messiaen, Shostakovich, down to Gil Evans, Klaus Ogerman, Herbie Hancock and many others. I hope you'll have fun...Great tune to work with. Thanks for a cool melody and for the posting the helpful chord chart. :samurai: :)

[oldbob]

The deadline sounds fine to me. :)

I certainly don't mind collecting the entries as I've done for most of the rounds, but if the winner prefers to collect the entries, it's up to you... :D

Sean, if you don't mind I'd rather have the entries sent to you, thank you...
and if it's ok I officially declare JUNE 28 the deadline for this challenge:samurai:

best

[oldbob]

It's time, methinks, for a silly question :)

Where or to whom do we post our entries?

Rob

Rob, are you already done with your entry? wow!

[oldbob]

Great tune to work with. Thanks for a cool melody and for the posting the helpful chord chart.

Leaf, thank you, you're very welcome

[robmanderson]

Bob - yep! :hp:

Can't say anything more right now though :)

[SeanHannifin]

Sean, if you don't mind I'd rather have the entries sent to you, thank you...

No problem. :)

Please send entries to seanthebest@gmail.com

[trentpmcd]

Just 27 more composing days until this is due.....~|

OK, bad excuse for a BUMP

[rbowser-]

plain ol' bald faced buuUUUump!

RB

[truckermusic]

Roberto
This is my very first composition....My very first composition completed.. my very first composition of any kind..........It is only two minutes long and I am quite happy with it..........the only thing is I scored it in sibelius and used the gpo instruments (sibelius edition) to create the sounds.....I cannot load the gpo orchestra into my sonar sequencer because the sibelius edition is for sibelius notation only.............so with the very little bit of mixing i could do in sibelius.........here is my result.............who do i turn my challenge into..???
you may reach me at work : amundsenc@hillsboroughcounty.org or at home: truckermusci@tampabay.rr.com

Cliff ;)

[wrayer]

OK, Mine's blocked and ready for orchestration.

Anybody got a kazoo sample?


:p Just joking!

Really, it's going into an orchestration now and then to Sonar - hmm sounds like a production line. Can I keep the results and sell them on Ebay?

[rbowser-]

B - U - M -p

Rb

[rbowser-]

It's count down time to the unveiling of what people have done with Roberto's theme, less than a week away.

I'm really looking forward to hearing what the entrants have come up with!

Randy B.
(rbowser)

[truckermusic]

Randy
I lover the updated avitar...........It makes you look all KOOOOOLLLLL!!!!!!

Any way I sent sean my version.......I know that it is about 180 degrees "different" than what Roberto was thinking.....(and most likely everyone else!) But this was my very first attempt at orchestration of any kind..... So, I am kind of excited about it..........I do not expect much ....... but we must take that baby step before we can walk.............Next one will be better.....
Cliff

[rbowser-]

That's great, Cliff--I love hearing you be stoked about this fun Challenge thing. It's going to be a kick for you to see your entry on that list, knowing that a lot of people will be taking a listen.

I wouldn't assume that what you've done is 180 degrees from what Roberto intended--I have the distinct impression he offered the theme up as something totally open-ended, and something he didn't have preconceptions about concerning the arrangement. Classical, Jazz, Folk, Pop, Rock, --you name the genre, and his theme could be arranged in that style.

HEy--thanks for mentioning my new Forum picture. It spontaneously came about yesterday--The thought just suddenly struck me that it was time to do a new one. Snapped a pic while listening to music on headphones here in my little studio, then did some Photo Shop gray scale and other effects on it, and there it is. No more Mr. Stern Professor type--hehe, that's how some people said I came across in the old one. :o

Looking forward to hearing your work, Cliff, and everyone's.

Randy B.
(rbowser)
Happy Winner of Challenge #11

[oldbob]

I wouldn't assume that what you've done is 180 degrees from what Roberto intended--I have the distinct impression he offered the theme up as something totally open-ended, and something he didn't have preconceptions about concerning the arrangement. Classical, Jazz, Folk, Pop, Rock, --you name the genre, and his theme could be arranged in that style.
Randy B.
(rbowser)
Happy Winner of Challenge #11
Randy, thanks for saying exactly what I'd say if my english was more fluent.
Cliff, excuse me, I haven't seen your previous message before, you needed a reply, but fortunately you made it anyway... I do apologize, and be sure that whatever you have done with that weird theme will be appreciated. With Randy, I'm too looking forward to hearing what the various entries will be like!

[oldbob]

b-u-m-p
3 days left...

[truckermusic]

Roberto
That is ok.....no harm done.......I just hope that my beginnig orchestration did justice to your beautiful melody...........I think that you are very creative musician and hope that you continue to bless us with your music.
Cliff

[SeanHannifin]

Today is the deadline... just in case there are any stray entries out there... :D

[wrayer]

Well, how many entrants are there and when do we get to vote? Good luck everyone!

[SeanHannifin]

I just emailed Gary requesting a poll posting, but in the meantime, here are the entries!

Entry 1 (http://www.wizardwalk.com/duel2/Entry01_Chall13.mp3)
Entry 2 (http://www.wizardwalk.com/duel2/Entry02_Chall13.mp3)
Entry 3 (http://www.wizardwalk.com/duel2/Entry03_Chall13.mp3)
Entry 4 (http://www.wizardwalk.com/duel2/Entry04_Chall13.mp3)
Entry 5 (http://www.wizardwalk.com/duel2/Entry05_Chall13.mp3)
Entry 6 (http://www.wizardwalk.com/duel2/Entry06_Chall13.mp3)
Entry 7 (http://www.wizardwalk.com/duel2/Entry07_Chall13.mp3)
Entry 8 (http://www.wizardwalk.com/duel2/Entry08_Chall13.mp3)
Entry 9 (http://www.wizardwalk.com/duel2/Entry09_Chall13.mp3)

Many thanks to everyone who participated and thanks to Roberto for the theme! :D