Song-Writing in SL

(Please Note: I hope you dont view this as inappropriate use of the forum, but I have been impressed and feel moved to announce the following achievements by 6 talented SL song-writers, I am really not trying to advertise anything in this forum posting for personal gain)...

I hosted a song writing competition for the hyper-flute recently (results below). If you own a composer-edition of the Hyper -Flute I strongly advise you to pick up the six original song scores (notecards) and play them in your flute. They were composed by the six residents that entered my compeition (read the reviews of their songs below).

The songs are now available and free for all to pick-up from the sharing vendor (here), and if you like them, please IM the composers to let them know! At the time of writing there are 27 songs in total for the flute now in the vendor for you all. Please add some more!

Robbie Dingo's Flute Song-Writing Competition.

Result and Comments...

OK, let me start by saying a big thanks to the six competition entrants (in no particular order):

melissa Bethune
Elgyfu Wishbringer
Aemilia Case
Hsian Kembla
Codalisa Levitt
Jennifer Mahoney

Writing for a solo instrument, without resort to accompaniment or supporting chords is difficult, your musical ideas need to be strong and stand up by themselves. All of these six did that well.

I originally wanted to run this competition to generate some more material to share with hyper-flute owners in SL and, I genuinely feel we have now ended up with the six best songs for flute that I have heard to date, including all of the current collection of non-original (transcribed) songs.

These songs feel very much like they have been written for this particular instrument, all of them. I did not know what the take-up would be for this (free to enter) competition but I prepared myself to spend as much of my own time as would be required to assess the submissions. In my real-life profession I feel qualified to judge this competition, but what I had not prepared myself for was the difficulty I would have in making the choice of winner. (Believe me, I listened to them all quite a few times).

With such great works, (and they are all strong for different reasons), in end I'm sorry to say that it came down to a subjective choice.

But, before I announce the winner, here are a few of my thoughts.

Melissa's "Dance of the Tahari" is based on a Medieval Andalusian tune. A very haunting, attractive and insistent melody, using an interesting key and intervals. Sounds just right for this breathy, woodwind instrument. Some dynamics in loudness would have been appreciated and a few pauses (if only to take a breath). I love it melissa, thanks for sharing.

"Cleo" by Elgyfu is reminiscent of a traditional Irish folk melody, catchy and exploring the mid and upper range of the flute, well paced and timed (but sticking to a constant volume throughout), thanks for your entry Elgyfu, i'll play it on the hills of SL!

"Celestial", a great composition this Aemilia, very musical - varied and well written for the instrument. The subtle change in loudness and tempo really hold the listener's attention even when looped several times over. This work also includes really nice hocket-style jumps between the registers. An original and effective work, lovely and musical, thanks Aemilia.

Hsian's Kitty uses the type of melodic intervals (semi-tones) and scale that interest me as a composer also and sounds great on the flute. Reminds me of a 'call', or question and answer work. An original and interesting theme Hsian.

"Elfen Tree" is a well structured work, it progresses and develops its theme (or idea) well, and feels like a complete piece rather than a fragment (although it is also circular in that there is no definite cadence or conclusion which I i liked a lot). I love the melody and choice of key, gets in your head and sticks there, thanks so much Codalisa. A little more shaping in loudness on the sustained notes may add to an already great piece, just a thought? This was a strong entry in the competition for me.

And finally, "Faerie Meditation" by the talented Jennifer Mahoney. Technically well implemented for the hyper-flute, exploring all of the possible parameters I made available but not sounding at all cluttered. A solemn and thoughtful work (in my opinion), loads of reflective moments in the well positioned pauses and variety in loudness and instrumental range. Must have take a while to put this Jennifer?, thanks a lot for your very musical contribution.

And now, this was a competition after all, the bit I hate to have to do - .... and the winner of the 10,000L$ prize money for the best flute song for the hyper-flute (in my humble opinion) is........

[drum role]

"Celestial" by Aemilia Case".

Congratulations Aemillia, your work just had that 'Je ne sais pas' (money coming your way), and thanks a lot to the other very talented five entrants for your great works, I enjoyed this very much and SL is a better place with these songs in it!

Yours,
Robbie Dingo.

The winning Hyper-Flute Score in full: (trust me it sounds great when played in SL!)

Celestial ~Original Music composed by Aemilia Case
T=0.6,0.4
0.2,C2,Cs2,0.4,C2,Cs2,0.8,C2, Cs2,1.0,G1,G1,G1,*,A1,As1,A1,As1,A1,As1,D1,D1,D1,*,*
T=0.6,G2,G2,D2,D2,D2,*,D2,D2,B1,B1,B1,D2,D2,*, D3,D3,D3,*
T=0.6,E1,E1,F1,F1,C1,C1,A1,A1,G1,G1,G1,*, E2, E2, F2, F2, As2, As2, G2,G2,*
T=0.6,*,C2,A1,D2,G1,G1,D2,D2,0.6,D3,D3,0.4,*
T=0.4,1.0,A2,B2,G2,D3,A2,B2,G2,D2,A1,B1,G1,A1,As1,G1,*
T=0.4,C2,Ds2,G2,G2,G2,G2,G2,*
END

Yay !!
Way to go Aems

I will clarify this is an ideal use of this forum. Think of the metaphor: you'd surely post community announcements like fine musical endeavors on a library or college bulletin board, yes?

I'm going to read the rest of this message now. Something tells me the inspiration is tremendous.

An amazing concept that I would definitely be interested in participating in. I'm somewhat of a composer of music myself, can you point me in the direction of the flute, or give me more information about it? Congrats Aemilia!

Tek, I'll chat to you in-world...

Just wow, I am stunned and happy and very much in awe of the other song writers for the flute. I had so much fun composing this song and spent a lot of time annoying people playing it constantly as i was working it out. Thank you so much to Robbie who has made the best instrument in SL! I can't speak highly enough of the quality of this instrument and recommend it to everyone. Thank you again!!

=]

Big kudos to all the entrants, but especially to Aems.

It was a delight and an honour hearing the work in progress.

Now, for your world tour with Zamfir......

Hello,

Aemilia's song for the Hyper-Flute (titled 'Celestial', winner in the first [post=1042879]song writing competition[/post] can now be heard in this short video I made of me playing the flute.

If you are interested in writing your own song, I am currently hosting another song writing competition, only this time for the Hyper-Cello.

If you own a Hyper-Cello, I do hope you will consider entering, details can be found here (my Blog), or in world here (SLurl).

Thanks.