ATL skills - Critical thinking skills, Reflection skills

Connection of my outcome to the SOI: My composition is linked to the SOI ‘the observation of nature leads to creative
expression’, as in my composition, I try to express my feelings on the theme of nature in the morning which came from
my observation of nature. For example, my observation of birds chirping has made me realize how birds often repeat
certain patterns. This observation has led me to express the same with my own creativity. In my composition, I play this
repeated pattern composed of staccatos and trills with the violin. I tried to observe the nature around me by listening to
various sounds that I can hear in nature such as birds chirping, breeze, and raining, as well as by observing their form or
motion. This exercise helped me get more inspiration for my composition which enabled me to express my creativity.
Thus, the SOI is also reflected in my composition where my observation of nature enabled me to express certain
elements of nature like sunshine, warmth, birds, and breeze, by imitating them or expressing my feelings on the theme
of the morning of nature.
Analysis of my artwork
Texture: As the table below shows, the texture gets complex from homophonic texture to polyphonic texture. Then, the
texture becomes homophony again in the outro as the composition reaches the end. This also relates to the structure
where there are 6 different sections including the intro, exposition, development, and outro.
Section Texture, Instruments & Dynamics with their Effects

1 - Intro Intro has a homophonic texture as a melody is played by the piano along with some bass notes with a
(0:00-0:23) dynamic of piano. This texture conveys the peaceful and quiet ambience of the morning, which is
appropriate for the intro of my composition. The piano plays ostinato followed by arpeggiation
through which I tried to express the glaring sunshine.

2- This section is homophonic as it has a solo violin with piano and strings accompaniments. The strings
exposition help convey the warmth of the morning. Here, the dynamics get louder to mezzo-piano as the
(0:24-0:59) composition reaches the exposition.

3- From 1:00 to 1:46 of this section is polyphonic as it has flute and solo violin playing two distinct
Developme melodies. The polyphonic texture helps express birds communicating with each other by chirping
nt (1:00- from different locations. This section has the dynamics of mezzo forte.
2:35)
From 1:47 to 2:11 of this section, the texture is polyphonic as there is a counterpoint played by the
violin and piano where these instruments play the same melody one after the other. This texture
expresses the repetitive nature of birds chirping.

From 2:12-2:35 of this section, the homophonic texture including the solo violin helps convey the
energetic and inspiring atmosphere of the morning.

6 - Outro As the composition reaches the end, the texture gets less complex and becomes homophonic as it
(2:36-3:00) only has the solo violin with piano. This texture gives the feeling that the composition is about to end.
This texture is helpful in ending the composition smoothly. There is a decrescendo in the outro as the
solo violin, piano and strings get softer.
Trills: The trills were played with the solo violin in section 4 for bird effects. The trills were followed by repetitive notes
played with staccatos. This small phrase was repeated 4 times. By using this repeated pattern, I tried to express the
repetitive nature of birds chirping as I have observed that birds repeat certain patterns when they chirp.
Challenges: It was challenging to be regular in developing the skills and techniques as time management was difficult.
Also, while practicing the arpeggios and trills, I found it challenging because the notes were not coming right. However, I
improved on this slowly as I got more familiar with the notes and finger numbers as I practiced consistently.
Furthermore, there was a challenge in practicing the arpeggio because initially, I planned to practice at 60 BPM in the
time signature of 6/8. However, as I composed the melody, I wanted the arpeggio line to be played with eight notes
which meant that I had to play the arpeggio faster than I played. Although I started practicing from stage 3, my prior
practice really helped me overcome this challenge. I also added the arpeggio of B chord later which was also challenging
but I was able to manage playing it through many practices with slower tempos.
Changes I made: Throughout the process of composing, I made a few changes in the tempo and instruments. At first, I
planned to include a synth instrument to express the warmth but since I was not able to find a suitable synth instrument
that suits the theme, I thought I could use strings instead to express the same. I decided to use strings instead as it
would suit the genre and theme better. I also changed the tempo as I composed. I decided the tempo to be around 50
BPM at first but as I composed, I found this tempo to be a little slow, so I increased the tempo to 60 BPM which sounded
much better with a better rhythm. Through these changes, I was able to polish my composition and improve on it.
Critique of my composition
What went well: I think I was able to effectively apply reverb and EQ in my composition. Although my composition does
not sound perfect to my ears, I could still see the difference in the tone and quality of my composition after applying EQ
and reverb. I used ‘Orchestra Hall Reverb’ to each instrument, and ‘Medium Ambiance’ to the bird sound effects. I liked
the effect of the orchestra hall reverb as after applying this to each instrument, it gave the reverberation which can be
heard in an orchestra hall. I used this reverb as the genre of my composition was orchestral. Therefore, this reverb was
appropriate. Now I am more confident with mixing using EQ and reverb as I know what they are and what effects they
have. Other than these mixing skills, I also applied flex pitch and automation, the skills which I have previously gained, to
improve the tunes and dynamics of my composition. From the orchestral kit, I have used instruments ‘tam-tam’ and
‘Large China Cymbal’, which created the effect of a breeze sound.
Areas of Improvements: Overall, balancing could have been improved. For example, the sound effects could have been
softer. The solo violin is played too loudly in some parts of the composition which could have been improved as well as
these parts are not pleasant to listen to. Also, I could have improved on my composition by practicing playing the notes
more accurately with clear bowing as some parts of the solo violin were not smooth. Thus, I should improve on my
bowing techniques. I can also improve on playing vibratos as if I exaggerate vibratos more, the violin will sound to be
fuller of expressions. I could have also paid more attention and improved on the dynamics as I was not satisfied with the
dynamics much. For example, in the outro, there is a decrescendo but the solo violin I recorded did not get softer for
which I had to use automation to make it sound softer. If I improve on the dynamics, then I think the quality of my
composition would increase. As I think the large structure of my composition was clear, I should now focus on the details
to improve the quality. I could have also improved on the melody played by the solo violin as it determines the whole
mood of the composition and thus, is crucial. I felt that the melody did not have much flow and thus, it could be
improved by developing composing skills.
Feedback | I asked for feedback on my composition from 3 people: a musician, a peer who has some knowledge of
music, and a peer who has no background in music. I sent them emails briefly telling them about my composition and
asked for feedback.
Question Feedback

Music teacher What did you like about my It captures a lot of emotions and feelings that I think
composition? people go through as they wake up in the morning. I
was able to connect with it.

What do you think about the The production of your composition is very clear. I can
quality/tone of my composition? (e.g. hear every part and sound effects very well. This is a
the quality of the violin recording, tone great recording for your level.
of each instrument, dynamics, etc.)

Peer with some What emotions did you feel when you I felt relaxed when I listened to your music composition.
knowledge of music were listening to my composition? It’s very calm and peaceful so I felt the same.
Peer with no What did you like about my I really like the part from 1:47 to 2:12.
background in composition?
music
Do you think the theme was conveyed I think that your theme was conveyed well. The chirping
well? Why? sounds went very well along with the theme and really
conveyed the atmosphere of a morning.

Overall, I got the feedback that my

composition made the target audience
feel relaxed and calm. The theme,
nature in the morning, was also
conveyed well while the music teacher
(Figure 1) – Self-made on Google Form – Feedback from the music teacher
said that he was able to feel a wide
range of emotions which I could
improve on by focusing on one key
emotion. I think this is because I have
used an Am chord which is a borrowed
(Figure 2) – Self-made on Google Form – Feedback from peer with some background in music chord. This must have made my
composition sound minor in the parts where this
chord has been used. I also got comments that my
target audience liked the bird sound effects as
these sound effects suited well with the theme.
(Figure 3) – Self-made on Google Form – Feedback from peer with no background in music
They also liked section 4 of my composition where
I express birds chirping by playing a repeated pattern of staccatos and trills.
Evaluation of peer’s artwork | I have analyzed one of my peers’ artworks which is titled “A tumultuous day”. It contains
a mixture of feelings as it begins by imitating the chirping of the birds and buzzing of the bees with staccatos, after which
it expresses the thunderstorm. I liked his composition ideas such as changing the mood of the composition in the middle
by expressing the rain and thunderstorm like how Vivaldi has done in the first movement of Spring where there is a
change in the mood as a thunderstorm arrives. The connection of his artwork to nature and his intention to express the
power of nature were also clear to me as an audience. I especially liked the part where there is a break and slowdown of
the tempo. I could see that he tried to be as creative by using varied tempos, sounds, and moods. I also liked how he
used a monophonic texture in this part by using only one instrument that is a synth as it effectively shaped the mood. He
has also used sound effects of rain and thunderstorm. I could see that he tried to make beats and rhythms with the
sound effects as well, incorporating the natural sound effects into his composition. He has used trills in high notes with a
wind instrument to imitate birds chirping as I did in my composition as well. However, he could further improve on his
composition by polishing the tone and quality. I could hear in some parts of his composition, the piano was played too
loudly with a lot of force and the volume and dynamics were not consistent, which was also an issue with my
composition. Overall, I think he could work on recording and editing parts by focusing more on the tone and quality as
he has clear ideas. Improving on these aspects would help him convey his ideas and express his creativity more
effectively.
ATL skills
Critical thinking skills - I developed my critical thinking skills as I had to evaluate my product and peer’s product
critically, considering different aspects such as dynamics, tone, quality, relevance to the theme and purpose.
Reflection skills - I used my reflection skills in reflecting the process of developing skills and techniques and
evaluating my product.
Bibliography

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