In 1837, Franz Liszt, possibly the greatest pianist of all time, got together five other prominent pianist-composers of the day to collaborate on a set of variations of Vincenzo Bellini's "March of the Puritans" from I puritani. The idea had each composer write one variation of the theme, in whatever idiom and style they wanted, for piano, and Liszt would unite them all into single, cohesive piece. The superstar composer pianists he united?
Frederic Chopin
Carl Czerny
Henri Herz
Johann Peter Pixis
Sigismond Thalberg
The final product was called Hexameron (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gN6mmuQcGco).
Now, 2015, I, Zachary Loy, would like to extend an invitation to the arrangers here to collaborate on a set of variations for piano on a piece of video game music. For everyone who would like to contribute, we would each write a single variation for solo piano. What piece? That's the best part, we can figure it out!
Who's in?
1. Maestro
2. AwesomeYears
3. Nocturne
4. Latios
5. CLBGM
6. Clanker
7. Nebbles
8. Insig
9. Maelstrom
10. them
11. Bloop
Can it plz be something from zelda
The piece we'd choose, for best results, would have to be one agreed upon by everybody contributing.
I'll participate!
I'm in!
is there a certain skill level required? Because this sounds awesome, but I don't have any.
Not really, you can always give it a shot, but if it doesn't work out at least you tried.
Alright, in then! Thanks for the opportunity :P
in
On the basis of
Quote from: MaestroUGC on March 01, 2015, 08:52:15 PMif it doesn't work out at least you tried.
I am in
I'll try too, then.
Seems interesting. I'll give it a shot.
I want to pay attention to this project so that I might write measures of some kind of "variation" that sets a world record for not being good. (http://is%20your%20body%20ready?)
Don't sign me up, but make me follow your deadlines.
I won't be using hard and fast deadline with this, I'll just keep it open until either 1) Everybody who signs on finishes or, 2) I get tired of waiting for a few holdouts.
Quote from: Jub3r7 on March 01, 2015, 09:52:52 PMI want to pay attention to this project so that I might write measures of some kind of "variation" that sets a world record for not being good. (http://is%20your%20body%20ready?)
Don't sign me up, but make me follow your deadlines.
i've created a variation of 'lost woods' entitled 'lost man (https://www.dropbox.com/s/wl5kktx6j1tjmf1/LostMan.mus?dl=0)' because it's about a man that trees get lost in and never return.
it's not lost woods backwards this time, i swear
every time you think you see beauty... it's abruptly destroyed by a break in pattern that will tear you apart. The chords that are created are meant to invoke passion, and then take it away again before you can even begin to enjoy it.
My work has inspirations from many composers, most that I am not aware of, but MaestroUGC was definitely one of my muses.
I think I'm in.
If you're having a limit, then I'll sit out. If not, then I'll give it a shot :D
*inserts passive aggressive "joke" post about maestros history of these (http://forum.ninsheetmusic.org/index.php?topic=4405.msg148752#msg148752) kinds (http://forum.ninsheetmusic.org/index.php?topic=5850.msg226062#msg226062) of things*
However, if this one turns out not to be a dud, I'd offer to help with whatever you might need to get this project to happen.
Well, considering I'm only providing one part and connecting materials, and this is something I've wanted to try for years now, it'll get done. It'll just depend on everyone else to actually deliver something for it. I'll let sign-ups run until Wednesday or so, then all the collaborators and I will discuss which piece we will do.
I'm not planning on imposing a limit on contributors.
Quote from: MaestroUGC on March 01, 2015, 08:52:15 PMNot really, you can always give it a shot, but if it doesn't work out at least you tried.
Count me in but remembering this. ^
In.
I TOTALLY MISSED THIS
in
Dang, this is one awesome group of collaborators!
Can't wait until this starts :P
I think this is a good group, so I'm going to end the sign ups.
Now comes the fun part: Picking the Piece
Anybody can feel free to suggest a piece, but keep in mind only the actual contributors will pick what we do, and the more unanimous the decision the better.
Quote from: MaestroUGC on March 04, 2015, 09:53:54 AMNow comes the fun part: Picking the Piece
EDITED: wrong video
More realistically, we should choose a song that everyone recognizes. It will probably end up being something like the Pokemon theme or 1-1 from Super Mario Bros. The song should be somewhat pliable, yet musically interesting.
Quote from: CLBGM on March 04, 2015, 10:04:06 AMEDITED: wrong video
w8 wrong video lol. This is my real suggestion:
^I was about to say no to the first one but I wouldn't be opposed to this one. I don't like that Xenoblade song and I'd rather not do a 35 second song lol
I like adventurous songs, that sort of feeling you get from Dorian key you know
I'd rather we do something of substantial length, so I would ask that we try to find something at least a minute long before the repeat.
dragon roost island loops at 1:20 L:
What about Ballad of the Goddess
then we can play the drinking game
honestly though something from Skyward Sword would be really cool imo, what with it being orchestrated and being a zelda game and whatnot
How about something from Super Mario Galaxy? I love the music from that game.
Gusty Garden, Battlerock, or Buoy would be cool.
Quote from: mariolegofan on March 04, 2015, 08:29:32 PMHow about something from Super Mario Galaxy? I love the music from that game.
Gusty Garden, Batterlock, or Buoy would be cool.
Oh man, I was thinking the same thing! ;D
Gusty Garden's one of my favorites, but pretty much any Galaxy song I like and would do. These songs are generally kinda long and I think you'd be able to do a bunch of things with them :P
Exactly! Too many short songs above ;)
Maybe Gaur Plains (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xweRl4LZlmo) or Gourmet Race (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FAByWyvuu7s)?
Oh, Gourmet Race would be fun!
*sigh*
This is going to be a while :P
I really like going with Battlerock, my personal favorite from Galaxy.
Quote from: MaestroUGC on March 04, 2015, 09:39:00 PMI really like going with Battlerock, my personal favorite from Galaxy.
Sounds cool to me!
Quote from: Maelstrom on March 04, 2015, 08:37:01 PMMaybe Gaur Plains (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xweRl4LZlmo) or Gourmet Race (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FAByWyvuu7s)?
Nintendo has done enough remixes of Gourmet Race :P
We've got 3 people for Batterlock.
you do realize it's battlerock right, and not batterlock?
Anyway Battlerock Galaxy does seem like a really cool choice, it's pretty well known (I think) too. But I'm pretty freely about this song choice, so I don't really mind it being anything else :p I'll just stick with Battlerock Galaxy for noq
I'm not a huge fan of Battlerock Galaxy but I like the idea of doing something from Super Mario Galaxy, if we really can't pick something from a Zelda game
I just feel that battlerock is not interesting enough.
I'd like something interesting that would readily arrange, yet not something too well-known.
There are other interesting Galaxy songs with lots of things to build off of, yeah?
Quote from: Bloop on March 05, 2015, 07:28:40 AMyou do realize it's battlerock right, and not batterlock?
Typo of the century. :P
Actual heck. Can't we just decide on a song? Everyone likes there OWN series. We just need to decide. We should put up a poll or we'll never decide. Battlerock has the most votes so far.
magma battle is okay
MLF as many votes as Battlerock has there are also a few people who are completely against it. We need to find a song that everyone either likes or is at the worst indifferent to
I would like to arrange something that has a good amount of material to work with. Like the ones i posted, or Gourmet race is nice too.
Time for even more suggestions:
Quote from: Maelstrom on March 04, 2015, 08:37:01 PMMaybe Gaur Plains (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xweRl4LZlmo)?
I know everyone hates my obsession with Paper Mario so I won't post any from that.....
I really would do anything from Super Mario Galaxy, Ocarina of Time, Wind Waker, or any Mario game for that matter.....
Quote from: CLBGM on March 05, 2015, 10:36:53 AM<videos>
I think a Pokemon battle theme could turn out well, although the Magma/Aqua one personally isn't my favorite.
Quote from: Maelstrom on March 05, 2015, 11:07:07 AM<videos>
I do like that Bravely Default song, though it sounds kinda hard. (As a side note, I'm sure I've heard a part of Guile's theme while playing VVVVVV.)
Quote from: mariolegofan on March 05, 2015, 12:32:31 PMI really would do anything from Super Mario Galaxy
Yes.
or similarly
Spoiler
Oh, how about something from Kirby that ISN'T Gourmet Race, though? We could use another good series staple, like Butter Building, Green Greens, or Bubbly Clouds...
Quote from: Nebbles on March 05, 2015, 12:54:54 PMOh, how about something from Kirby that ISN'T Gourmet Race, though? We could use another good series staple, like Butter Building, Green Greens, or Bubbly Clouds...
those ain't series staples
Is there anyone opposed to something from Super Mario Galaxy? Right now it has a lot of sway, but not as much as Zelda, but I'm willing to compromise.
Willing to compromise...? You aren't contributing though...
what, you're not letting me do this?
You didn't say you were willing to contribute.
Quote from: NocturneOfShadow on March 05, 2015, 01:17:00 PMIs there anyone opposed to something from Super Mario Galaxy?
no one's said anything, so yeah for Galaxy....?
I think this is the closest thing to agreement here
Quote from: Latios212 on March 06, 2015, 09:07:11 AMno one's said anything, so yeah for Galaxy....?
I think this is the closest thing to agreement here
Yup. Now we just have to figure out which song. Personally the main theme is one of my favorites. It'd also be recognizable to anyone who's even seen Super Mario Galaxy.
Gusty Garden is also really popular.
I'm not familiar with Galaxy series, so it would be better if we choice something from the older Mario games (from Super Mario Bros. to Super Mario 64 for example).
GRAAAAAAAAH
I read somewhere that the best way to have a vote is to ask people to vote for not their favorite, but whatever they'd be ok with. Also allow people to vote more than once to no limit. This would result in a fair result and most in favor of everyone. It would also deal with those people who either vote for everything or don't vote at all. So I suggest that we get a poll going on the OP with every suggested option on it. Ask what people would be ok to work on and allow them to vote every option if they wanted. At first it sounds kinda faulty but actually it's really foolproof. It's how I work all my votes now.
Quote from: NocturneOfShadow on March 05, 2015, 10:48:45 AMMLF as many votes as Battlerock has there are also a few people who are completely against it. We need to find a song that everyone either likes or is at the worst indifferent to
Exactly my point.
Quote from: JDMEK5 on March 06, 2015, 02:46:42 PMI read somewhere that the best way to have a vote is to ask people to vote for not their favorite, but whatever they'd be ok with. Also allow people to vote more than once to no limit. This would result in a fair result and most in favor of everyone. It would also deal with those people who either vote for everything or don't vote at all. So I suggest that we get a poll going on the OP with every suggested option on it. Ask what people would be ok to work on and allow them to vote every option if they wanted. At first it sounds kinda faulty but actually it's really foolproof. It's how I work all my votes now.
I like this. Maestro?
I think this relates to what you're talking about:
Just put up a poll.
Don't polls only allow you to select one option, though?
Well. I'm out. Maestro, please take my name off. I'm gonna be awful busy this month.
I'M IN
Quote from: Clanker37 on March 06, 2015, 06:18:29 PMI think this relates to what you're talking about:
That's actually exactly where I got the idea from. I just couldn't find it again for the life of me. Thanks.
hey it's a CGP video i actually understand fully
I'm fine with anything Mario and Zelda related (more too but listing everything will take a long time). I've never played Pokémon dont kill me so I don't really feel like arranging something from that franchise. But I can make exceptions.
^Same with me.
Alright, so here's what we'll do, first we'll vote by franchise (I'm probably going to leave some of the lesser known ones out, so don't get butt hurt if I happen to leave out one of you favorites). Then we'll go with major/main games within the series, no spin-offs. Then I'll list every track from the OST that are over a minute long. Each poll will run for 4 days, or so.
Savvy?
You mean JDMEK5's voting system? If so, then great.
Also 4 days is a long time.
Well I want long enough time for people to actually see it and vote, but I can shorten it to 2 days.
Ah great. Are we using JDMEK5'S voting system?
Thanks Maestro~
Poll is up. You can vote for as many as you'd like and change your votes. Results will post once the poll is expired.
Well it looks like Super Mario barely won out, I'll post the next poll tonight.
Crap. I forgot to vote.
Wouldn't have changed much anyway.
Quote from: Maelstrom on March 09, 2015, 12:38:10 PMCrap. I forgot to vote.
Wouldn't have changed much anyway.
yeah because I voted just for zelda, I was going to also vote for SMB, making it 11
Now what game from Super Mario is the question.....
New Poll is up, you can pick as many games as you'd like. I only put the main platformers in there.
Time for a three-way tiebreaker?
y no yoshi
GALAXY PLSSSSSSS
Another poll to narrow down the game, up for one day only. You can only vote for one.
RIP the classics.
The classics are awesome, but Galaxy has super awesome music :D
Song selection time!!
Awww Maestro you closed the poll before I could get in there, dammit. Lol it doesn't really make a difference tho. Carry on, masterful Maestro.
(See guys, this is how an argument with Maestro should look. ^)
I'll start the final poll tomorrow. Once again I will not be including any pieces or themes less than a minute long before the repeat.
Can't wait for song selection... I'm ready to start! (Hopefully my part won't be a disaster.)
Alright, before I put the final poll up, does anyone have any objections to me only including the level themes? I'm also leaving out remixes and other incidental music.
Level themes work fine for me.
Seems alright. Maybe include the Comet Observatory theme? (We'll probably end up picking one of the level themes anyway.)
yeah probably include main theme title theme and observatory theme
Quote from: NocturneOfShadow on March 16, 2015, 12:50:59 PMyeah probably include main theme title theme and observatory theme
By this you mean something like the Credits, right? And not so much the actual title screen. Cuz the 'Main Theme' has to land in here somehow.
Let's get starteddddd
Final Poll is up. You each get only three votes, so make them count. Once the piece is chosen we should be able to get started, but we'll probably discuss how best to approach the work.
Wait... there are four voters and I didn't choose Freeze flame galaxy. Also I can't change my vote. Please look into this, MaestroUGC.
Edit- just remembered how to change my vote.
That number is for Gusty Garden, not Freezeflame.
why must we only pick three ;_;
So I had only just realized that I had omitted Battlerock and Space Junk from the poll, it has been reset. I didn't vote anyway so I have no idea what the standings were anyway.
Did you just take out the Comet Observatory
I believe Gusty Garden was in the lead with 7, and Good Egg, Buoy Base, and Comet Observatory had 5 each.
Huh, I guess this thing maxes out on what you can vote on?
If that's the case and Gusty Garden was in the lead (honestly it's kind of the big hit from the game), is that ok with everyone? I would like at least a 8/12 approval on this.
gusty garden is like my 5th or 6th pick
can't believe nobody likes the credit roll
I approve of Gusty Garden Galaxy!
Noc I love the credits theme, but it already has a lot of parts and variations in the original. I think something like Gusty Garden would be better to work with since the melody is more easily recognizable. It also repeats which would make connecting each person's piece more natural.
The credits theme is also really... long. We can do it another time maybe?
The problem with the credits theme is that it is long and already varied in and of itself, and most of you have never tried to do anything like this. By which I mean trying to reimagine a piece in a new way. A single cohesive theme would be far easier to tackle than trying to vary an already fleshed out series of variations.
Gusty garden is acceptable. I'd rather have Bouy Base.
Gusty Garden's been a solid favorite of mine since the game debuted. I'm fine with it.
Nothing wrong with Gusty Garden. I have no worries about it.
I'm down with Gusty Garden, considering I've already kinda started on my variation of it and I actually know the piece lol.
...are we good? I'd like to hear Maestro talk about how this is gonna work.
I'd like to give it until Monday to hear from everybody who signed up to make sure we're all still on board.
I'm okay with Gusty Garden.
Me too ^^
That'll be fine
I'm ok i guess.
Me 5
I think that's everyone except JDMEK5
I'll PM him and he doesn't get back to me we'll proceed without him. And I thought you dropped out MLF?
Quote from: MaestroUGC on March 23, 2015, 08:38:26 AMAnd I thought you dropped out MLF?
Ah.....Nuts with it. I'm back in.
Just as well, then, I haven't heard back from JDMEK5, so you'll take his place then.
Now down to business. So After giving it a bit of thought I figured I can whip up a quick transcription of Gust Garden for us to use as the foundation of the arrangements, should only take me a few days to do. While, yes, we could ask Olimar if we could use his version on the site in this, but his transcription is a bit too opulent to use as the basis for what we're doing here. Generally you want to original transcription used for variations (which is usually presented first, before the variations) to be rather bare and only featuring the essential components of the piece. This isn't a hard and fast rule but I'd rather not start the piece at a high level, start simple then expand and elaborate.
So we could use your version as a guideline?
Yeah, I should have it ready by Friday. Sunday at the latest.
An idea:
As I'm sure some of you have already had some ideas going, what if we don't include a base transcription? This isn't unheard of for theme and variation pieces, Elgar did something similar with his Enigma Variations, and with something so popular and well known as Gusty Garden, we really wouldn't need to have the expository theme in the work itself. Sure, I might include it for the sake of reference once it's all said and done, but I think for now we can just proceed with making our variations.
Sound good?
I'd love to start haha.
Is it okay to use Olimar's sheet as a reference? Like what chords and accidentals to use and stuff. I'd be lost otherwise.
Sure, there's nothing wrong with his sheet, it's just a bit too flashy for my tastes.
Quote from: MaestroUGC on March 24, 2015, 07:51:25 AMJust as well, then, I haven't heard back from JDMEK5, so you'll take his place then.
Damn it, does this mean I'm out?
Nah, this is a pretty fluid thing, I just wanted your input on the song choice.
Perhaps we should all reference the same YouTube video just in case, how about the one with the starry Mario silhouette and gold background
I actually suggest referencing Olimar's transcription for now so you can at least get started. Remember, this is for solo piano, so no fancy orchestration things.
What are our criteria on keys/modulation and playability?
You can really do whatever you want as long as it's playable.
And how long should these variations each be?
As long as you wish, but keep in mind you are only writing one variation, not a whole set.
You can write more of course, and simply submit what you feel is the best, or we can vote by committee on all of them.
So, would it be on the whole song, a part of the song...?
The whole piece.
There's no real deadline to this, so take your time with your work. And don't worry about formatting or making a super pretty sheet (unless you want to), I'll pretty everything up when putting it all together. The only thing I'll need from you when you turn them in is:
Your real name. (I'd like to avoid pseudonyms, but if you have a real objection to it then it's fine.)
A programmatic title. (Something that can sort of set the mood or scene for your variation. If not I can probably make one up.)
A volunteer to perform the completed work, maybe.
Just wondering, does it matter what type of cadence the variation ends with?
Probably not although maestro would probably prefer progressive
Doesn't matter, I'll work with whatever you give me.
Also feel free to explore different keys with your variations, no need to stick to Db Major.
Might start mine tomorrow.
Status check:
So how's everybody doing? Did we all forget or are we struggling having an idea for this? I've got the first section of mine finished. How's everyone else coming along?
I haven't started. I'm sorry. School's in the way.
Ugh, school. But I have some stuff done, I'm working on it on and off. Should we post in-progress stuff here?
Also you mentioned people volunteering to perform; I'd like to play someone else's. :D
You guys can post in-progress stuff if you want. Just be careful not to subconsciously copy someone else's idea!
As far as performing goes, you seem to misunderstand the final product of this thing.
Quote from: MaestroUGC on April 15, 2015, 04:06:50 PMAs far as performing goes, you seem to misunderstand the final product of this thing.
OH, you meant the entire thing? It sounded like you meant for each section. Whoops.
Um... I'll have to see how difficult i'll be...
I finished maybe 16 measures of it. Not too much time nor inspiration for it.
Just wondering, how do you notate a rolled chord that requires crossing your hands over? Do I just use brackets to show which parts are being played by which hands?
I need to make time. Just finished up some big stuff, and finishing up some big arrangements now. It may be a bit, but it will get done.
It's all cool, there's no real deadline.
I'll be doing this in the Merry Month of May if that's okay
I've got one more request to do, then I'm on it!
I just about finished up my schoolwork and my in-progress arrangement so I'll start this quite soon.
It's all good, though probably by the end of the month I think it'd be good to see some of the "In-progress" work for this from everybody.
Once finals are done, I should be able to start.
UPDATE:
Just want to see where everybody is with this. I've already gotten on variation, though I haven't seen it yet. I myself am about half-way with mine, still trying to iron out the finer points.
I've been steadily working on it, then immediately erasing all my progress because it sounds dumb
Er. I still need to start. Probably will soon.
i expected to have my laptop back by now but I don't
I doubt I can do this anytime soon
So... (https://www.dropbox.com/s/c9tpwcmn299i9r4/gg%20variation%20o7.mus?dl=0)
I'm a bit stuck on what to do on mine.
I've filled in those parts with random notes for now, but I know I can do a lot more...
How's everyone else doing?...
Still grounded from my laptop
Looks good, InsigTurtle. The following criticism is just subjective.
If I were you, I'd avoid spaces where the triplets and regular rhythm collides (measures 32 for example). I do like the way you added the other triplets though, good idea.
I would edit the second voice (appears red in notepad, measures 2-16).
I didn't see any technical mistakes, good job.
I'm done with mine, I might edit slightly. (Maybe a little slower?)
https://www.dropbox.com/s/dcrio6gokuf1i9a/Gusty%20Garden.mus?dl=0
I'm the same as Nebbles, except will probably start much later. Like school and stuff etc. I would hazard a guess as the earliest I can get started is December hahaha...
If you can't wait for me, just ignore my signing up. I don't even have time open Finale at the moment, sorry...
Are you still taking arrangers? If so I'm in. (Totally not a 4 month bump :P)
ohhhh riiiiiight thiiiiiis
time to dig up what I had started many months ago