Need help with string composing

[EverfreeLuna]

So,

About a week ago I was suddenly motivated to create some sort of music. This motivation came from the wonderful songs you guys have been creating and posting on youtube.

I took this motivation and decided to spend a week or so learning music theory (I knew practically none before). While the videos I was watching to teach me music theory were good. Not many of them spent much time on composing and so I've now hit a roadblock when trying to compose something.

Could anyone help me through the process of composing a short piece?

Here is a short section I have come up with.

Edited with Dr_Dissonance's Information:
http://soundcloud.com/everfreeluna/stringwip2

I suppose that could be the chorus once I complete the rest?

I am asking for help because if I left it to myself i would repeat that section 50 more times and create something boring to listen to...

At the moment that short section contains two violins a viola and a cello. The viola and cello are place single, measure long notes while violin 2 is doing almost the same. What can I do to create more individuality in the instruments and make it sound more interesting?

Thanks!

Edit:

String Trio Attempt
http://soundcloud.com/everfreeluna/stringtriowip

[Dr_Dissonance]

Ah a String Quartet!

The best thing to remember with String Quartets is you treat them as one instrument.
So when you're writing for the 4 parts, you're intertwining and linking them together constantly. You're not writing for 2 Violins, a Viola and a Cello, you're writing for a String Quartet! That's the first thing to remember.

The second thing to remember is that you have 4 parts to this instrument. Don't always treat it as melody, 2 accompaniments and bass. Any part can take the melody! Any part can be an accompaniment! More than one part can have a melody! And so on. That's the second thing to remember.

The third thing to remember is to combine colours well. Sometimes, only the violins playing sounds real nice. Sometimes all 4 playing is right. It's the same with harmonies. Sometimes you'll want maybe 2 different notes to get the sound you want, sometimes you'll want 4 or 5. It all depends on what you're after.
With this third thing, the best way to look at it is like a painting. Using only 3 colours to paint a landscape isn't exactly going to be any good. And once you have the base colours down, using variations of the same colour to create detail is good. But if you mix too many colours, you'll just get brown. The same applies to all music, not just writing for a String Quartet!

For your piece, it's a little static in the bass. As you said, the viola and cello are playing held notes. Where's the fun in that? Let them do something more adventurous! And apply that to a whole piece!

[EverfreeLuna]

Thank you for that info.

With your info in mind I jumped back into FL studio and made a couple of adjustments. I started messing more with the volume automation tracks for both Violin 2 and the Viola. I alternated them so the dominance would switch between the two each measure.

I also changed Violin 2 one to use a pre-set Pizzicato arpeggio technique that comes with the vst instrument. I also changed the Viola to use a slightly different pre-set Staccato arpeggio technique. This feels like cheating and won't show up in my notations so I will manually add them later once i figure out the notations for them.

I feel this changed has altered the mood and texture of the section dramatically. Even when Violin 2 and the Viola are just performing a repeating pattern.

Here is the first edit:
http://soundcloud.com/everfreeluna/stringwip2

Thanks Dissonance. You were a big help (and motivation )

Am I correct in thinking that I should apply a "Counter melody" to the Cello? Or would that make the "painting" too brown? ;P

[Dr_Dissonance]

Sounding good so far! I always find the arpeggio presets a bit...well, I'm not sure...I've heard people use them really effectively...
I guess if you don't just use them as they are, then they're good!

For the counterpoint idea in the Cello, well, that's up to you, it's your painting. I think some kind of question/answer based thing with the violin would be interesting for sure!

[penguindf12]

As always, Dr. D has the hookups

[EverfreeLuna]

Ok,

So I have a question on a different matter. I have written a short section for a string trio here:
http://soundcloud.com/everfreeluna/stringtriowip

The main problem I am having with that one is getting the strings to sound realistic? If anyone here has any experience with strings in their music. What techniques do you apply to create realistic sounding strings?

Sorry for asking so many questions... I'm still learning

[WavesOfParadox]

Not to hijack the thread, but what VSTi did you use? It sounded nicer than anything I've tried.

[EverfreeLuna]

Not to hijack the thread, but what VSTi did you use? It sounded nicer than anything I've tried.

Its Session Strings (not the pro version) I don't think it stands a chance against LASS and Symphobia but it is only a small fraction of the price of those two.

[WavesOfParadox]

Not to hijack the thread, but what VSTi did you use? It sounded nicer than anything I've tried.

Its Session Strings (not the pro version) I don't think it stands a chance against LASS and Symphobia but it is only a small fraction of the price of those two.

I've been thinking about getting that. Do you recommend it? How easy would it be to use to playback a midi file?

[EverfreeLuna]

Not to hijack the thread, but what VSTi did you use? It sounded nicer than anything I've tried.

Its Session Strings (not the pro version) I don't think it stands a chance against LASS and Symphobia but it is only a small fraction of the price of those two.

I've been thinking about getting that. Do you recommend it? How easy would it be to use to playback a midi file?

I am probably the wrong person to be asking this I've not had much experience with it yet and have been using in FL studio (With which kontakt has problems).

I have not actually physically tried any of the other string libraries so I wouldn't know how good it is compared to say LASS as I've only seen videos of LASS.

Regarding the playback of a midi file... I'm not quite sure what you mean? It uses the kontakt engine and will play on the free kontakt player if that helps?

[Dr_Dissonance]

The main problem I am having with that one is getting the strings to sound realistic? If anyone here has any experience with strings in their music. What techniques do you apply to create realistic sounding strings?

The problem with this is that the realism of an instrument ultimately boils down to how good quality the samples are...so if you don't have good samples, you're going to have a tough time...

So you use Session Strings...can't say I've ever used them, but maybe play with legato settings, as there's a lot of attack on some notes compared to what there should be. As a result, they don't sound as if they're flowing properly.

I use Hollywood Strings, which has real legato, slurs, portamento and bow changes, so if you're wondering how I do it, it's the magic of good samples! With a bit of tweaking of course!

[Magnitude Zero]

If you're shooting for realism, you can also play with the dynamics on strings to add some extra emotion - especially in slower, lyrical parts. Do you play any instruments? Preferably string or wind? If you do, take it out and play something as emotionally as you can (or just imagine yourself doing so); then try to mimic that emotion in your DAW with automation (or whatever). It can be pretty difficult, but I've found it to be a fairly effective method.

Also, this thread is full of awesome. I'm bookmarking it.

[EverfreeLuna]

If you're shooting for realism, you can also play with the dynamics on strings to add some extra emotion - especially in slower, lyrical parts. Do you play any instruments? Preferably string or wind? If you do, take it out and play something as emotionally as you can (or just imagine yourself doing so); then try to mimic that emotion in your DAW with automation (or whatever). It can be pretty difficult, but I've found it to be a fairly effective method.

Also, this thread is full of awesome. I'm bookmarking it.

For instruments I have 2 electric guitars (which I barely touch nowadays), An old yamaha keyboard which i believe can be used as a midi controller (i've been using my computer keyboard in FL studio up until now) and a Violin.

The only one of those which I can barely play is... The Violin. The one that I love the sound of the most is the one I get frustrated with when I can't reproduce the sound I love.

I may try and pick it up again.

Regarding Legato. Using the Legato on session strings seems to wash away some of the faster notes. For that should I switch that part to a different instrument with more attack?

[EverfreeLuna]

Ok, so here is the intro for my first 'proper' song that i'm working on. Another attempt at a string quartet

http://soundcloud.com/everfreeluna/alliswellwip

I'm having a small (really small) problem with it. At certain parts when the violin plays a high note there is a high pitched noise in the left ear. For example, At 49 seconds if you listen closely you can hear the high pitched sound.

Not only does this sound bad to have in the song. Its giving me a headache when listening back to it

What tool can I use in FL studio to try and cut off that part without harming the quality of the rest of the song?

[Dr_Dissonance]

Huh, I'm not really hearing anything major there...and my headphones react to beyond human hearing, so they should pick it up!
If it is a problem and my ears just suck, maybe a Lowpass Filter, but one set really high up? I don't know what sound we're talking about, so I can't help much...
I can help with the overall composition though! For its length, it's good. But if/when you extend it; move the melody through other instruments. At the moment, Violin I is very dominant!

But good so far!

[EverfreeLuna]

Huh, I'm not really hearing anything major there...and my headphones react to beyond human hearing, so they should pick it up!
If it is a problem and my ears just suck, maybe a Lowpass Filter, but one set really high up? I don't know what sound we're talking about, so I can't help much...
I can help with the overall composition though! For its length, it's good. But if/when you extend it; move the melody through other instruments. At the moment, Violin I is very dominant!

But good so far!

Thanks, I'll try the low pass filter (Its kind of a high pitched whining. It took me a while to hear it but now i can't unhear it)

This is meant to only be an intro(sort of), a very long one

[Trillionage]

I don't know if it's just my pc, but i'm getting lot's of clipping from your pieces.

[EverfreeLuna]

I don't know if it's just my pc, but i'm getting lot's of clipping from your pieces.

Which ones? I've noticed the first measure of stringtriowip and stringwip2 are a bit crackly. I have not yet mastered exporting things

[Trillionage]

Um...All of them.

[Dr_Dissonance]

I'm getting no clipping at all. Dunno what it could be.