NinSheetMusic Forums

Music => Miscellaneous Arrangements => Arrangement Contests => Topic started by: MaestroUGC on October 28, 2014, 06:14:43 PM

Title: Arrangement Contest No. 5 - Brainstorming Topic
Post by: MaestroUGC on October 28, 2014, 06:14:43 PM
Figure we can humor the idea of giving this another go of the winter holidays. We managed to get the current one up and running in about a week, and now that we've got a pretty consistent judging rubric I think we can come up with a few ideas this time, set dates, and at the appointed time have the judges pick one and give us the "Ready, Set, Go."

Yes/No?
Title: Re: Arrangement Contest No. 5 - Brainstorming Topic
Post by: CLBGM on October 28, 2014, 07:03:09 PM
Y
Title: Re: Arrangement Contest No. 5 - Brainstorming Topic
Post by: mikey on October 28, 2014, 07:11:24 PM
I would rather like to do one of these with the advanced software accessible in my school's music lab rather than my terrible Finale NotePad 2012 version currently installed on my laptop.
Title: Re: Arrangement Contest No. 5 - Brainstorming Topic
Post by: FireArrow on October 28, 2014, 07:30:04 PM
I don't care how user friendly, I'd love to see fugal arrangements, or at least imitative counterpoint.

Also, pls no "make a song christmas."
Title: Re: Arrangement Contest No. 5 - Brainstorming Topic
Post by: MaestroUGC on October 28, 2014, 07:31:11 PM
God, as much as I love Christmas carols, I would absolutely refuse to partake in engaging in jollifying a piece for the sake of "making it sound like Christmas."
Title: Re: Arrangement Contest No. 5 - Brainstorming Topic
Post by: FireArrow on October 28, 2014, 07:41:20 PM
Can't tell if sarcasm or not. Christmas isn't always jolly - see green sleeves, we three kings, etc. There just isn't a consistent style.
Title: Re: Arrangement Contest No. 5 - Brainstorming Topic
Post by: mikey on October 29, 2014, 06:31:32 AM
We've already done a waltz for a contest, right?
So what about a march
Title: Re: Arrangement Contest No. 5 - Brainstorming Topic
Post by: Olimar12345 on October 29, 2014, 08:09:19 AM
The theme and variations idea was cool.
Title: Re: Arrangement Contest No. 5 - Brainstorming Topic
Post by: SlowPokemon on October 29, 2014, 08:22:34 AM
^That idea really is fascinating. I'm all for it. I think it might limit the participants, though.
Title: Re: Arrangement Contest No. 5 - Brainstorming Topic
Post by: MaestroUGC on October 29, 2014, 08:24:58 AM
It's probably the easiest contest to organize, and the judges could get creative with some of the variations they would have us do.
Title: Re: Arrangement Contest No. 5 - Brainstorming Topic
Post by: SlowPokemon on October 29, 2014, 08:33:46 AM
I don't like the idea of the judges limiting or choosing any of our variations.
Title: Re: Arrangement Contest No. 5 - Brainstorming Topic
Post by: MaestroUGC on October 29, 2014, 08:36:41 AM
They wouldn't choose all of them, just like 2 out of a required 4 variations on the theme.
Title: Re: Arrangement Contest No. 5 - Brainstorming Topic
Post by: Yugi on November 01, 2014, 01:16:06 AM
I've got an idea.

How about we "lyricify" a song, giving it lyrics that fit the context and messing around with the song to make it sound better with lyrics?
Title: Re: Arrangement Contest No. 5 - Brainstorming Topic
Post by: Waddle Bro on November 01, 2014, 03:49:43 AM
*write lyrics to
Title: Re: Arrangement Contest No. 5 - Brainstorming Topic
Post by: MaestroUGC on November 01, 2014, 09:07:19 AM
That's not arranging.
Title: Re: Arrangement Contest No. 5 - Brainstorming Topic
Post by: CLBGM on November 01, 2014, 09:43:31 AM
Make a tune sound like baroque period music...
Title: Re: Arrangement Contest No. 5 - Brainstorming Topic
Post by: FireArrow on November 01, 2014, 11:48:46 AM
Quote from: CLBGM on November 01, 2014, 09:43:31 AMMake a tune sound like baroque period music...

I love you.
Title: Re: Arrangement Contest No. 5 - Brainstorming Topic
Post by: SlowPokemon on November 01, 2014, 12:03:45 PM
You know, disregard any comments I've made about this contest. I don't think I'll be participating regardless of the theme.
Title: Re: Arrangement Contest No. 5 - Brainstorming Topic
Post by: Sebastian on November 01, 2014, 12:43:11 PM
My idea is completely ignored and goes out the window faster than a tachyon beam....
Title: Re: Arrangement Contest No. 5 - Brainstorming Topic
Post by: Olimar12345 on November 01, 2014, 12:47:21 PM
What idea?

So far I like the theme and variations, march, and baroque themes as possibilities for the next one. Fugue would be so much fun, but it wouldn't be very beginner friendly (not to say it still can't be done).
Title: Re: Arrangement Contest No. 5 - Brainstorming Topic
Post by: FireArrow on November 01, 2014, 01:12:29 PM
With all of those ideas, we'd probably go over the specifics of the criteria right? I personally don't really know anything about what constitutes a theme and variations (I'm not in college yet, shhh.)
Title: Re: Arrangement Contest No. 5 - Brainstorming Topic
Post by: mikey on November 01, 2014, 01:14:12 PM
Quote from: FireArrow on November 01, 2014, 01:12:29 PMWith all of those ideas, we'd probably go over the specifics of the criteria right? I personally don't really know anything about what constitutes a theme and variations (I'm not in college yet, shhh.)
You have a theme right
then you have a few variations
Title: Re: Arrangement Contest No. 5 - Brainstorming Topic
Post by: FireArrow on November 01, 2014, 01:14:43 PM
Quote from: NocturneOfShadow on November 01, 2014, 01:14:12 PMYou have a theme right
then you have a few variations

oh ok that clears things up
Title: Re: Arrangement Contest No. 5 - Brainstorming Topic
Post by: MaestroUGC on November 01, 2014, 01:28:07 PM
Basically you present something as it was originally written, then you alter and change it in different ways and forms. Look up some variations if you get a chance to get a better idea, Haydn's Symphony no. 92, second mvt; Beethoven's Diabelli Variations, Bach's Golberg Variations, Liszt wrote a few as well, most notably Totentanz. Handel's Air and Variations from his Harpsichord suite in E, often called "The Harmonious Blacksmith".

Rachmaninoff's Rhapsody on a Theme by Paganini (Paganini's original work being the source for numerous variations), is a shining example of the style, in my opinion.

Basically there are no limits to what you can do with something like this.
Title: Re: Arrangement Contest No. 5 - Brainstorming Topic
Post by: mikey on November 01, 2014, 01:31:15 PM
What about twinkle twinkle little star isn't that theme and variation
er Mozart's 5th or somethingth
Title: Re: Arrangement Contest No. 5 - Brainstorming Topic
Post by: FireArrow on November 01, 2014, 01:36:56 PM
Quote from: MaestroUGC on November 01, 2014, 01:28:07 PMBasically you present something as it was originally written, then you alter and change it in different ways and forms. Look up some variations if you get a chance to get a better idea, Haydn's Symphony no. 92, second mvt; Beethoven's Diabelli Variations, Bach's Golberg Variations, Liszt wrote a few as well, most notably Totentanz. Handel's Air and Variations from his Harpsichord suite in E, often called "The Harmonious Blacksmith".

Rachmaninoff's Rhapsody on a Theme by Paganini (Paganini's original work being the source for numerous variations), is a shining example of the style, in my opinion.

Basically there are no limits to what you can do with something like this.

Thanks, I'll look those up, and the last sentence was mostly what I was wondering. Things like baroque suites and sonatas are relatively strict, so I was wondering if the word "variations" had certain requirements.
Title: Re: Arrangement Contest No. 5 - Brainstorming Topic
Post by: MaestroUGC on November 01, 2014, 01:49:25 PM

Quote from: NocturneOfShadow on November 01, 2014, 01:31:15 PMWhat about twinkle twinkle little star isn't that theme and variation
er Mozart's 5th or somethingth
You're thinking of "Variations on 'Ah Vous Dirai-Je Maman'", which is twelve variations on what we call "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star", which is a standalone piece for piano.
Title: Re: Arrangement Contest No. 5 - Brainstorming Topic
Post by: SlowPokemon on November 01, 2014, 03:13:16 PM
Quote from: FireArrow on November 01, 2014, 01:12:29 PMWith all of those ideas, we'd probably go over the specifics of the criteria right? I personally don't really know anything about what constitutes a theme and variations (I'm not in college yet, shhh.)

Listen to the entirety of the soundtrack for Super Mario Land 2: Six Golden Coins. The core soundtrack is essentially a set of variations on a theme, with "Athletic Theme" serving as the basis for most of the tracks.
Title: Re: Arrangement Contest No. 5 - Brainstorming Topic
Post by: MaestroUGC on November 01, 2014, 03:18:16 PM
Actually a lot of the Mario games (more so in the 2D side scrollers) simply rework a single theme into variations for different levels.
Title: Re: Arrangement Contest No. 5 - Brainstorming Topic
Post by: SlowPokemon on November 01, 2014, 05:28:36 PM
Yeah, but none so much as that one. None of the others have more than one or two variations on a main theme. Another good example would be Super Mario 64, which in addition to the main theme also has the variations in the form of the snow mountain and slide pieces.
Title: Re: Arrangement Contest No. 5 - Brainstorming Topic
Post by: FireArrow on November 01, 2014, 05:45:14 PM
So if I took a song, arranged it into a short waltz, 2 part invention, and smooth jazz or something, then played them consecutively, would that be legal? (Extreme example, but w/e.)

Title: Re: Arrangement Contest No. 5 - Brainstorming Topic
Post by: MaestroUGC on November 01, 2014, 05:52:28 PM
That's pretty much exactly what you could/would do in such a contest.
Title: Re: Arrangement Contest No. 5 - Brainstorming Topic
Post by: FireArrow on November 01, 2014, 06:04:51 PM
Ok yay, thanks for clarification, I thought it would be a lot more restrictive.

fugues are still better though
Title: Re: Arrangement Contest No. 5 - Brainstorming Topic
Post by: MaestroUGC on November 02, 2014, 08:10:53 AM
Well it seems to me the Theme and Variations has to most traction at the moment, it's a very open idea and I think it will yield some great interpretations.

I'd also be interested in the other ideas, March and Baroque. Of course those both can be wrapped into the above, that way everyone's happy.
Title: Re: Arrangement Contest No. 5 - Brainstorming Topic
Post by: MaestroUGC on November 29, 2014, 06:47:25 PM
So what's the verdict, you people in or out?
Title: Re: Arrangement Contest No. 5 - Brainstorming Topic
Post by: FierceDeity on November 30, 2014, 03:40:10 AM
Just saw this, theme and variations sounds cool, and it's my favorite idea of the ones presented. Baroque and march both sound doable, but they seem like they'd have relatively limited results. And fugue just sounds way too exclusive.
Title: Re: Arrangement Contest No. 5 - Brainstorming Topic
Post by: Bloop on November 30, 2014, 04:05:43 AM
Same about theme and variations. No one's against it, it seems
Title: Re: Arrangement Contest No. 5 - Brainstorming Topic
Post by: CLBGM on November 30, 2014, 07:08:26 AM
Yup. Let's do it guys.
Title: Re: Arrangement Contest No. 5 - Brainstorming Topic
Post by: MaestroUGC on December 01, 2014, 07:41:50 AM
Well then all we need know is someone willing to host it this time around. Any volunteers as head Judge?
Title: Re: Arrangement Contest No. 5 - Brainstorming Topic
Post by: MaestroUGC on December 11, 2014, 08:54:37 PM
Quote from: MaestroUGC on December 01, 2014, 07:41:50 AMWell then all we need know is someone willing to host it this time around. Any volunteers as head Judge?
Ahem. I mean I'd do it, but I don't want to.
Title: Re: Arrangement Contest No. 5 - Brainstorming Topic
Post by: FierceDeity on December 21, 2014, 04:34:25 PM
So, we doin this, or what
Title: Re: Arrangement Contest No. 5 - Brainstorming Topic
Post by: MaestroUGC on December 21, 2014, 04:35:14 PM
Yeah, I might as well host it, after giving it some thought.

I'll post the sign-up later tonight.