The Nearly Completed First Piece

This week (though more so a few weeks ago), I had the first piece of this three piece set nearly completed. Only the last little bit of the cello was left to be fit in. The general ideas and motives of the piece were present though. Even though the piece wasn't completely finished, having the main motives displayed and the structure finished allowed for further comments on how to develop the motives I had already written. The fact there was some cello missing also allowed everybody to make suggestions on how to fill out what was left.

Most of the suggestions I received this week were all really great and were used afterwards. Some of the suggestions included changing up the main motive in the left hand of the piano and adding octave doublings or changing the register. So, at some points of higher tension I included an octave doubling in the left hand, and during some softer or lighter moments I moved the bass motive up an octave. These little changes actually added so much to the piece in terms of variation and adding interest, but also they were completely appropriate musically. The suggestion was also made to change up some of the roles of the instruments. For example, have the cello play sustaining notes while the vibraphone has short and accented attacks during. This technique however, will be more appropriate for the next movement and will be used there.