Sounds of Music B

[chell_15]

I'm going to make a xylophone for my second instrument, anyone know what type of wood I should use for the bars? I know they're usually rosewood, but thats pretty much far over my budget xD

[Infinity Flat]

I'm going to make a xylophone for my second instrument, anyone know what type of wood I should use for the bars? I know they're usually rosewood, but thats pretty much far over my budget xD

Padouk or bubinga would be the next best thing, but if those are also out of budget go with maple.

[silverheart7]

Will you be disqualified for handwritten music?

[zyzzyva980]

I recall using handwritten music in some of my first few competitions without any problems, but you really, really, really should use computer-generated sheet music. There are several reasons, chief among them being you want the judge to be able to read it as well as just saving time by not having to write out two pieces of music 3-5 times. We used Noteflight last year, it's free and works fairly well.

[Skink]

All the rules say is that you should not copy the rules. I don't see why not. Remember General Rule something says that if it's not explicitly prohibited in the rules, then it's allowed so long as it's not against the spirit of the competition. I doubt every team nationally has nice software to write the music in, so you should be alright. Naturally, if you have the option, digitally transposed is preferable. Obviously, you'd want to at least print off staff paper or whatever musicians call it.

[silverheart7]

Thank you for the quick responses

Also, is it alright if the chosen piece is fairly simple? I was thinking as simple as Ode to Joy, Happy Birthday, and Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star. I mean, I go to Rustin this Saturday with little practice, so it needs to be easy. In addition, is video game music good or bad? I'm slightly confused on the topic.

[Skink]

Anddddd this is the part where you begin to lose me...I believe someone on my team wrote their chosen song, but there isn't anything in the rules far as I can tell that says it has to be a new melody. So, you could use Happy Birthday or the Super Mario Bros theme, adapted to be played on your instruments and written accordingly. My musical knowledge stops there, so yeah...

EDIT: Didn't even answer the question...simplicity does not seem to be an issue so long as you meet the minimum requirements. Note that the two instruments must have different ranges, so bear that in mind when writing or selecting your chosen song. I'd assume the higher one covers the melody...

[zyzzyva980]

1) Simpler is better (until it gets too simple). You want to find something that fits your playing ability, and especially for invitationals it's better to play a simple song "well" than to play a complex song "okay".

2) Don't do video game music; it's probably a bad idea.
My opinions on music selections from earlier in the thread.

[silverheart7]

Thank you so much for the earlier recommendation for that music website. I had some experience with Sibelius from a music composition class, but found it too expensive, complicated, and hard to get for use in Sounds of Music. I just pulled up that website, and it was so easy, especially since I knew the basics of using music writing software.

Also, thank you for your imput on the selected piece

[Infinity Flat]

1) Simpler is better (until it gets too simple). You want to find something that fits your playing ability, and especially for invitationals it's better to play a simple song "well" than to play a complex song "okay".

2) Don't do video game music; it's probably a bad idea.
My opinions on music selections from earlier in the thread.

I generally agree with zyzzyva. For higher-level competitions, though, select a piece that utilizes the full extent of your playing ability and really shows off your instruments' capabilities. But it's important to know yours and especially your instrument's limitations - I learned the hard way that Stairway to Heaven just does not sound good on a PVC chime set...