Enjoy. (http://soundcloud.com/angrypacman15/string-quartet)
This took about 2 weeks to write, on-and-off. It's a chaconne (if that's how you spell it), most of the way through anyway. The ending may disappoint you, but I like it. I suggest perhaps turning your volume down a little, it's supposed to be a lot softer than it is on Soundcloud.
I love the viola.
Now it sounds a lot better. XD
It's beautiful :) very classical and clean.
Why thank you. I'm going to upload a new version in a week and a bit (file's at school, holidays atm).
The +'s:
Some very nice chords, and interesting ideas.
Love the sudden pizzicato section.
Great counterpoint.
The -'s:
You kind of get in to this rut where you repeat the same rhythm over and over, and it gets a little stale.
It's VERY 4/4. Try to spice it up a bit. Mix in some triplets, or syncopation. It might help it flow a little better.
It's one continuous tempo. Maybe throw in some dramatic ritards? Or, hell, if you wanted to get really crazy, try accelerating the tempo when you're doing those runs at 2:54, and slow it down at the climax. Basically, play with tempo, it will add emotion.
Maybe it isn't what you're going for, or maybe you feel the piece doesn't call for it, but... maybe work on melody a bit more. You have some great interplay with the voices, and wonderful counterpoint, but I never really felt as though there was a real melody or "theme" emerging from the piece. Maybe try writing a melody that works over top of what you have, play it once, early, then expand on it (play it again, and make it longer), and then do the pizzicato and run thing, and bring it back (in short form) again at the end? Just a thought.
I agree with you almost completely. It sounds a bit douchy, I know, but the supposed theme of the piece isn't a melody at all. It's the base, the chaconne. But you do have a very manly and sexy point.
I really should do some tempo changes, but I'm content with the rhythms I have. I've never really like excessive syncopation, but there is some for quite a while in the middle section. It isn't very noticeable in this version, it's brought out more in this hypothetical next version I'm going to put up.
What did you think of the very end?
Late reply, but I thought I'd mention that I was really impressed by this. Great stuff man!
Thank you, not only for the compliment, but for reminding me I'm yet to provide an updated version of this piece.
Which is currently struggling with uploading to Soundcloud -_-
Finally uploaded the hypothetical revised version. Listen if you want (that means listen to it), and provide any feedback you wish.