very pleasant key and one in which two of my favourite classical compositions were composed in – Fantasie Impromptu by Chopin and Moonlight Sonata 3rd Movement by Beethoven. I called my piece Broken Romance to reflect its mood. It starts in a major key – in the style of the Romantic era piece – and then changes mood as it gradually transitions, like a relationship transitioning from happy to dark, into a different key. The second section creates an image of a relationship being broken, but it is also a waltz. This juxtaposes the images of dislike and disdain with a waltz-style dance. On reflection, I think there could be so much more added in terms of complexity in the melody. The I love heavy metal, so when I found out about this competition I rushed upstairs to grab my guitar and proceeded to sprint to one of the vacant practice rooms inside the music block. As I ran, a myriad of stereotypical heavy metal chugging riffs penetrated my eager mind. After ten minutes of searching for a room (to no avail) I crouched down beside the steps. As I prepared myself mentally for the major riffage that was about to take place, I paused. Suddenly, in a rapid change of spirit, I decided to go for something that I would not normally play, or listen to: a classical song. So from the depths of my classical training, I wrenched out a rather classical descending riff in A minor. Then I added a G in the bass; an F#; and then an F. I had managed to churn out a half decent classical riff: now for the melody. This is played on a steel string acoustic guitar in standard tuning. The melody is all in the A minor pentatonic scale (most typically used in rock and blues) and because my acoustic guitar is strung with a heavy string gauge, instead of bending the notes, I had to slide them. After the melancholy melody was done, I decided to move on to the middle
B section could do with a more melodic change as it feels quite simplistic. I enjoyed composing the piece and will continue to compose as I have actually become quite hooked into uncovering the theory behind music. I was really proud to have been awarded the winning prize for my category for my composition. Although I am more likely to have a future in finance, I would like to continue to explore the theory behind music. I would also like to start a band and write more music for the genre of rock, especially in the style of 1960s and 1970s bands such as Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin. Country lick in between. Then the D and C repeated but I ended the sequence on a B to create tension and to lead onto the solo. The solo is mainly in the A minor pentatonic scale (much like the melody) but is played with distortion. The song ends with the melody being played on an eerie overdriven guitar with this over the top of the original classical Spanish riff. I recorded the whole song via Logic X Pro with 24 overdubbed tracks. I had to programme a drum track to play in 4/4 and at 67 beats per minute. In addition, I had to dial in the sound on the amplifier that I wanted. With over 28 amp models, 29 cabinet models and eight microphone models to choose from, as well millions of different ways computer, songbook and recording studio and heaved a deep sigh of relief, I reflected upon what I had just created. Was it a monster or a masterpiece? I had written my first complete song and was proud of it. To anyone who has an inclination to write a song, I would strongly urge you to give it a go. You might just find that you can be rather good at it. different. I went to an altered D major chord then a C chord with a little to place that microphone, dialling in that sound was not an easy feat. As I stepped away from my
I knew, though, that simplicity isnot enough: youhave toaddsomething interesting
PREPARE FOR RIFFAGE
Louie Carrigan (Year 10) shares his sometimes disconcerting experience of writing his first song
Suddenly, ina rapid changeof spirit, I decided togo for something that I wouldnot normally play, or listen to: a classical song
eight – not any standard or generic middle eight: I wanted something
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