On a Lark

[Michael Willis]

Lark [lahrk] noun
1. a merry, carefree adventure; frolic; escapade.

I was in the middle of composing an epic (in my own mind) orchestral piece with VPO when I got burned out and sat down at the piano to plunk something out, anything other than the old stale piece I've been going over time and time again. This is what came out in two very short recording sessions. The name is meant to reflect both the way that I started composing it, and the feeling of the music.

I'm still not sure where I'm going with this one. I want it to be longer, but I want to keep it simple, maybe having an interlude in the middle before it returns to a reprise on the original theme. I have yet to decide whether I want any parts other than the piano.

On a Lark, 2017-08-31

[GMaq]

Hi,

Wow! Are these the recordings? If so your playing and timing are extremely precise!

I like the melody a lot, it's very 'hummable' and like any good melody it stays in your head after the piece is over. I agree it needs a bit more added to go from an inspired musical idea to an actual song, but you're well on your way!

[Michael Willis]

Wow! Are these the recordings? If so your playing and timing are extremely precise!

I use the term "recording" loosely, and maybe incorrectly. I use a midi track in ardour to record myself playing the piano, and then I go back and adjust the note timing and velocity to be more precise. In fact, for this one I recorded the left hand part and the right hand part separately, because I end up with kind of a disaster when I try to play them together

I like the melody a lot, it's very 'hummable' and like any good melody it stays in your head after the piece is over. I agree it needs a bit more added to go from an inspired musical idea to an actual song, but you're well on your way!

Thanks! I'll try to keep working on it and post updates as I go.

[ufug]

Lovely work.

When you hit that minor at :46 it starts to seem like something big is about to happen. Hope you will consider using this as an intro to a longer piece!

[folderol]

Yes, a very pretty tune.
Definitely sense a part 2 needed

[Michael Willis]

When you hit that minor at :46

I'm so glad you noticed that! That specifically was going from IV major chord directly to IV minor; when I do piano improv, that's one of the only "tricks" that I know (by "trick", I mean introducing a surprise in the harmony). I've been doing it so much lately that it has started to feel like a gimmick to my ears, but maybe that doesn't matter so much because it's still a surprise to other people's ears.