UGH! So many complex thoughts rolled through! So many melodies! Give me any old sheet of Mozart or Bach and I can practice and then play to perfection, but noooooo, this is a music composition test. On some respects, I get it, this is a contest to create art, rather than preform it, but being a composer is no easy feat. It is not something that someone has a natural talent for, it has to be taught over years of training and work.
True, same could very well be said about drawing or sculpting, but every school has several dozen naturals at those. There are very few people who have composing as a primary skill. Not to mention, I would argue that playing an instrument is creation, as it is up to the one playing to interpret the music, and one man playing one solo might put a very staccato allegro spin on it, but there might be someone else who does the same piece largo and legato.
I should really stop whining about it and work. I don't know what came over me, but I am not taking this sitting down. I at least am going to try. Honestly though, I had no idea what to expect when I looked at the computer screen to see my progress. My work is... well, I don't know.
I went for a rather slow and melodic piece. That would be easy right? Wrong. I just can't seem to make it flow right. I pull out my viola and play a bit. Not the worst thing I've heard, but I feel like I'm taking inspiration. My piece is only two minutes long, and that did not initially seem all that bad, but the more I sit here and experiment, the more I realize that this is something I just am not comfortable doing. I mean, I know what I am doing, but I just don't have the proper experience in it. I'm not even aiming for the 10 at this point honestly. I just want the 7 or something.
The night rolls by as I just keep working. I would have trouble sleeping with this on my mind anyways. I try to go to bed and my suspicions are confirmed, even after some sleeping pills. After hours and hours, I go to play my viola and, to my surprise, it actually sounds like a legitimate piece of music. After stumbling over rhythms and passages every night, this one stuck. The movement was slow, very mysterious, and even a bit dark. It felt a bit inspired by the experience one my have walking through the forest at night...
Though it isn't perfect. Some passages feel noobishly written, and some segments drag on just a tad. At this point, I am just ready to take what I have and throw in the towel. I gave an effort, so I should stop torturing myself and be done with it. I actually do not hate this piece. As I record it, it feels pretty great coming off my bow and viola, and after it is over, I just feel... satisfaction...
I grudgingly pull out the tape and just look at it. At least I tried. I... tried. THUD I fall over and hit my bed as I just can't keep myself awake any longer. Must be those sleeping pills.
The next morning, I go out with my tape to submit. At least when I place this thing in that box, it will be over... One way or another. I'm glad I pushed through though. I hope you approve of that at least, Naoko.
OOC: /u/LegionaresCZ Cole has enter the Music Composition contest.