One Note Loop Competition!

Ok guys, time for a little fun, if you’re interested. No chords attached.

We all know that sometimes, less is more. So here is your chance to prove what you can do with less!

It’s quite simple actually.. We’d like to invite all the talented composers here to compose a short looping piece, where no more than one note is played at any given time.

Tempted to try? Think you can win? Good, so give it a shot!

• You can only play one tone at at time.
• You can layer instruments to create richer sound, e.g. Harp + Nylon guitar, but the instruments cannot be heard independently, and you cannot layer octaves.
• You can use ambiance effects like reverb, but not echo delay.
• Notes can decay naturally.
• You can use the entire musical register, across multiple octaves.
• You can compose in any musical style.
• You can use any key, and any mode.
• You can use any tempo you like.
• Ornamentation is allowed, e.g. trills, mordents, grace notes.
• Maximum loop length is 30 seconds.

Are there prizes?? Nothing HUGE , but yes there are.

• Winning author will be a Featured Author of the Week on the home page
• $20 marketplace credit to spend on any marketplace
• We’ll purchase an Extended License of one the winning author’s tracks
• Won a competition badge. Need anyone say more?

• You can submit your entries until May 1st, 2011, Midnight.

• Create your loop, and repeat it once so the loop point can be heard. You can fade the end if you like.
• Upload your piece online, and paste a link here in this thread.
• If you want to watermark it, you can, but please keep the mark volume low
• Don’t submit your track to the queue now.
• You can post up to two entries. They can be posted together or in two separate posts.
• The winner will be chosen by the management and review team, based on creativity and musical merit.

If you want to hear an example, here’s a little trifle, in simple baroque style. Not eligible of course.

Any questions? Let us know.

So there it is. Time to show off your polyphony and syncopation skills, guys! If you want a competition badge, here’s a chance to get one. We want to hear what you can do.. Classical, Jazz, Modern, Popular.. it doesn’t matter, go nuts.. but just play one note a time.

garethcoker said

ADG3studios said
- You can only play one note at a time

....

Time to show off your polyphony and syncopation skills.

This is quite the paradox! (But I do know what you mean – could potentially be confusing though).

ADG3studios said
We’d like to invite all the talented composers…..

I left my talent back in England when I sold my soul to come and work in Los Angeles so I guess I’m not eligible .

Haha Gareth, if you really left your talent in England, I shudder at the thought of what you are actually capable of.

And yes, despite the apparent paradox, it’s all good. Here’s a quote from Wikipedia, to dispel any potential confusion, for anyone who’s not clear.

In music, polyphony is a texture consisting of two or more independent melodic voices, as opposed to music with just one voice (monophony) or music with one dominant melodic voice accompanied by chords (homophony).

So essentially, there’s no conflict. You can write independent melodic lines where notes don’t cross, guys. Go for it!

SonicCube said
Yo

Now it’s time for some nerd questions

A: How about the rhythms ? Can they be of a “normal” kind ?
B: If A= yes, how about tuned percussion elements like a tom ?

Thank you and be prepared for some nuts monotone stuff

Good question, Daniel. If you mean musical rhythms like Cha-Cha, or Salsa, you can choose whatever rhythms you like.

If you mean rhythms like drums, you can’t use percussive and tonal instruments separately. Percussive instruments are instruments too

Think of each note as one event triggered at a time. If you have more than one sound, they always need to be played together on each note, i.e. layered, in the same pitch. That might make for a very experimental submission, with percussion..