Piano piece: criticism wanted!

[u/Active-Buy-6670]

I am a young composer with no formal piano training. I can somewhat play guitar, bass and piano but definitely not to the extent of being able to play say Chopin. I wished to write a short piano piece inspired by nature (title subject to change) but I am not sure if it is idiomatic or natural in the piano. Any criticisms or tips for someone who can’t play piano writing for it. Criticism on things like form, notation (should I add pedal symbols if I want player to pedal every chord? Etc.) and harmony would also be much appreciated.

PDF: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1lyb_Er--6UoWwAWB4TZtZHsklVfKb-v5/view?usp=drivesdk

[u/ComposerVirtualSpe]

Hi Harper

I went through your score, and I think there's quite a bit of musical imagination here, especially considering that you haven't had formal piano training.

I like that you're exploring different textures rather than relying on a single accompaniment pattern throughout the piece. There's also a clear attempt to establish contrasting sections and bring earlier material back later in the composition.

A few things I'd suggest looking at: Pianistic writing: Around measures 13–15, I'd take another look at the rapid figurations and how the material is distributed between the hands. Something can look perfectly reasonable on paper but still feel awkward under the fingers. Playing each hand separately, even at a very slow tempo, can reveal quite a lot.

Pedaling: You don't need to mark the pedal for every chord. In fact, excessive pedal markings can make a score unnecessarily complicated. I'd suggest indicating it where you want a particular resonance or sustained effect, especially where the harmony changes chromatically. Otherwise, you can leave some freedom to the performer.

Form: I noticed the return of earlier material around measure 77, which helps give the piece a sense of continuity. I'd encourage you to think about how the contrasting sections relate to one another, particularly in terms of harmonic direction and tension.

Notation: Some passages could benefit from clearer engraving, particularly where the textures become denser or the clefs change. Good notation isn't just about correctness; it helps the pianist understand your musical intentions immediately.

One final suggestion: don't feel that you need to be a virtuoso pianist to write convincing piano music. But do spend time studying how experienced composers distribute musical material between the hands, use registers, and create resonance without making the texture unnecessarily difficult.

There's definitely material worth developing here. Keep working on it!

[u/Active-Buy-6670 → u/ComposerVirtualSpe]

Thanks for the response! Could you go a bit more into detail about what you said with continuity between sections and their harmonic relationships? Do you think that the music is disjointed or poorly developed or is it a more general comment on trying to make a piece feel whole?

[u/Aggressive_Style_179]

Might be a good idea to use your composing skills to up your piano chops too. I’m sure it’d be a really beneficial provision to put on your writing that you must be able to play it, at least for a couple pieces. Then post them so we can have a recording! 

Also would recommend because I’ve gotten a few gigs composing film music and I’ve always been the one the play the score, which saves a ton of hassle and, for you, money! 

[u/65TwinReverbRI]

I can't access the file (same with another post today).

I am a young composer with no formal piano training.

It's available...

I can somewhat play guitar, bass and piano

"Somewhat"? Why not learn to play?

I wished to write a short piano piece

OK, but wishing to do it and having the skills to do it are two different things. If you can't play like Chopin, then you're not going to be able to write like Chopin.

I've wished to make a really great home-made pizza before, but I haven't even mastered the dough yet - it takes time and practice to do that - and it's not just "reading a recipe" - it's putting your hands on the dough and physically working with it - same with music - you need to "physically interact with music" on instruments in order to turn any recipe into a great meal.

Right now, all you'll be able to do is "somewhat".

Nothing wrong with that to start, but you know, if you want to get better at these things - and playing is a crucial part of it - then you have to work at them - you can't get better at being a wine-taster without actually tasting wines!

but I am not sure if it is idiomatic or natural in the piano.

This is a problem I see here on this forum. OK, to be fair, yes, someone can tell you if something is unplayable and why for example.

BUT, this is not the best way to learn - a bunch of words thrown at you - you're likely going to forget them or the info won't stick.

The reason composers for piano write idiomatically is because they PLAY - EVERY STINKING DAY. Lots.

You don't have to be a virtuoso to write well - and as far as playing is concerned, I mean even if a person never gets beyond a certain level with playing, as long as they "do what they can do well" that's what you aim for.

Same with composing - you may never get to where you can rattle off a symphony like Beethoven, but, you may be able to write basic Waltzes pretty darn well (consider the case of Chopin - his entire output was really focused on Piano music, and he just didn't do well with other things - but with Piano, he "did what he did well".).

So I think you'll find (I know you'll find) if you bump up your playing skills, your composing skills are going to grow accordingly.

I agree that it can work in reverse too - you can write something, and then try to learn to play it - and when you do, you will have a much better intuitive understanding of what's playable and what's not.

We often recommend here "study actual music by composers" which is true - but often the music we're writing, and thus studying, is not for our own instrument.

BUT, it's also true that PLAYING music on your instrument IS a form of studying composition too!

That said, you have to get to the point where you can play well enough that you're not just still working out where notes are on the instrument and things like that - so you can step back and "study" what it is you're playing, and seeing in the score, and so on.

So again, getting those playing chops up is important - just one instrument is good, but I play Guitar as my main instrument, and can play Bass, but I started on Piano - and I'm no Chopin either, but I play well enough to write the things I enjoy writing and feel confident in their playability and idiomaticness etc.

You can always take lessons...

[u/Active-Buy-6670 → u/65TwinReverbRI]

Thanks for the response. I really appreciate the tips and I will try to get my playing skills up. I do find it hard to focus on playing when I have many other interests and private lessons are very expensive. Do you have a good recommendation of where to start if I already have a good understanding of music theory harmony etc but my piano reading and playing skills are lack luster?