NinSheetMusic Forums

Music => Miscellaneous Arrangements => Arrangement Contests => Topic started by: E. Gadd Industries on December 26, 2017, 10:17:29 PM

Poll
Question: Pick your favorite entry from this contest! (Select one. You have 3 weeks.)
Option 1: Lkjhgfdsa_77's "The Destined Heroes' Radiant Quest" votes: 2
Option 2: Olimar12345's "Gerudo Valley" votes: 3
Option 3: Bloop's "Waterfall of the Dead" votes: 2
Option 4: Dekkadeci's "The Wayfarer and the Setting Star" votes: 1
Option 5: InsigTurtle's "Elegy of the Barren Chasm" votes: 3
Title: Arrangement Contest No. 9 in C-triple-flat major “An Odd Time for a Contest!”
Post by: E. Gadd Industries on December 26, 2017, 10:17:29 PM
Welcome to the 9th NSM Arrangement Contest!


Current Announcements:

GET HYPE!!! THE RESULTS ARE COMING SOOOOOOOOOOOON!!


So what's the theme for this contest, you ask? Here you go:

Arrange a video game piece in an unusual time signature!



General Guidelines (Please read!)
-Take a piece from any video game and rearrange it to fit an odd meter for itself. This can mean either taking a song in a "normal" time signature and rearranging it  to fit a more complex time signature, or just the other way around! You can take a piece with an odd meter and fit it to a more common time! In addition, SWITCHING TIME SIGS IS ACCEPTABLE, JUST MAKE SURE IT IS FREQUENT ENOUGH OR THE TIME SIGS USED ARE ODD FOR THAT PIECE!!
-You must make an arrangement using real instruments and that is playable by a reasonable number of people (yes, people, see the scoring categories for further clarification)
- You must submit .mus, .pdf, .and .mp3, (.midi and .musx Optional) files that contain your entry!
-After the deadline, the arrangements will be made public and polling and judging will start!
-Format anything specific like variation markings, expression text, etc. as measure-attached dynamics, NOT PAGE-ATTACHED TEXT so it attaches properly to the measures.


Scoring
Here are the scoring guidelines:
Criteria (15 points): Does the new time signature fit well with the rearranged piece? Does the new time signature minimize awkwardness and effectively hold throughout the course of the entire piece?
Creativity (15 points): Does the arrangement establish a different rhythmic structure within the piece as compared to the original? Is this structure varied and dynamic? Does the new time signature successfully evoke an intended feeling?
Preservation (10 points): Is the original theme recognizable? Be creative, but don't go nuts and leave the source entirely. Someone who is familiar with the original tracks should be able to recognize your arrangement.
Orchestration (10 points):  Does the instrumentation complement the piece well? Is the instrumentation used to effectively combine with the new time signature?
Popular Vote (15 points): How does your arrangement fare in the poll conducted after all arrangements are revealed? Exact point numbers will be determined after all entries are in.
Presentation (10 points): How user-friendly is the sheet? This category factors in three components:
Spoiler
Formatting: No need to follow the site guidelines, but please include a title, subtitle (containing original song title and game), composer, arranger, measure numbers, and page numbers. If you have Notepad or are otherwise unable to follow these, just send me a message and I'll help.
Legibility: How clear is it to a performer what to play, and how? There's no need to go overboard on fingerings and the like, as long as it's readable (e.g. no excess of ledger lines).
Playability: Would a reasonably skilled musician/group of musicians be able to perform this? Make it sound nice, but make sure someone would be able to play it too. A note: If in Finale a notehead appears yellow, it is unplayable by the intended instrument in its natural form!
[close]
This last category is meant to be easy points - we're just making sure that your sheet looks nice and would be learnable by actual people.


Total of 75 points


Deadlines
- Signup/song choice: January 6th
- Arrangement due: March 6th


People
Host:
  • BrainyLucario

Judges:
  • E. Gadd Industries
  • mastersuperfan
  • AmpharosAndy
  • Naturematthe
  • Trasdegi

Participants:
  • braixen1264
  • ThatHiddenCharacter
  • InsigTurtle
  • SlowPokemon
  • Yug_Guy
  • mikey
  • Dekkadeci
  • Bloop
  • them
  • Olimar12345
  • Static
  • Lkjhgfdsa_77
  • WaluigiTime64


Links to Past Contests
Here are some links to earlier contests, for consideration:
Arrangement Contest No. 1 in A "Praeludium" (http://forum.ninsheetmusic.org/index.php?topic=3798.0)
Arrangement Contest No. 2 in C "The Grand Dance" (http://forum.ninsheetmusic.org/index.php?topic=4171.0)
Arrangement Contest No. 3 in G minor "Going Solo" (http://forum.ninsheetmusic.org/index.php?topic=4437.0)
Arrangement Contest No. 4 in F diminished "Nightmarish Visions" (http://forum.ninsheetmusic.org/index.php?topic=6395.0)
Arrangement Contest No. 6 in G# Phrygian "Bossification" (http://forum.ninsheetmusic.org/index.php?topic=6797.0)
Arrangement Contest No. 5 in E-sharp "Variable Mix" (http://forum.ninsheetmusic.org/index.php?topic=6619.0)
Arrangement Contest No. 7 in D-double-flat minor "Seasoning" (http://forum.ninsheetmusic.org/index.php?topic=7963.0)
Arrangement Contest No. 8 in B# "Mix"olydian "Amalgamation" (http://forum.ninsheetmusic.org/index.php?topic=8772.0)
Title: Re: Arrangement Contest No. 9 in C-triple-flat major “An Odd Time for a Contest!”
Post by: E. Gadd Industries on December 26, 2017, 10:18:27 PM
I think I did everything correctly, but this was kinda last minute. SO, if I forgot anything/if you have questions, feel free to ask/say something
Title: Re: Arrangement Contest No. 9 in C-triple-flat major “An Odd Time for a Contest!”
Post by: braix on December 26, 2017, 10:20:57 PM
Signing up with Mt.Blaze from PMD
Title: Re: Arrangement Contest No. 9 in C-triple-flat major “An Odd Time for a Contest!”
Post by: ThatHiddenCharacter on December 26, 2017, 10:32:44 PM
Signing up with King Dedede's Theme from Super Star.

EDIT: You forgot to link Contest #5, E. Gadd.

Never mind, they're just in the wrong order.
Title: Re: Arrangement Contest No. 9 in C-triple-flat major “An Odd Time for a Contest!”
Post by: InsigTurtle on December 26, 2017, 10:44:12 PM
wait so do i sign up in here or via pm
Title: Re: Arrangement Contest No. 9 in C-triple-flat major “An Odd Time for a Contest!”
Post by: E. Gadd Industries on December 26, 2017, 11:00:37 PM
Either way works

Quote from: ThatHiddenCharacter on December 26, 2017, 10:32:44 PMNever mind, they're just in the wrong order.
DUDEMAN, I AM GOING TO HAVE TO ASK YOU TO STOP
Title: Re: Arrangement Contest No. 9 in C-triple-flat major “An Odd Time for a Contest!”
Post by: InsigTurtle on December 26, 2017, 11:19:36 PM
ok then i', going with chasm cave from pmd2
Title: Re: Arrangement Contest No. 9 in C-triple-flat major “An Odd Time for a Contest!”
Post by: E. Gadd Industries on December 27, 2017, 09:21:31 AM
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT
Brainy has gotten data, which means he'll be more active now, and this means he's stepping back in as host!
Title: Re: Arrangement Contest No. 9 in C-triple-flat major “An Odd Time for a Contest!”
Post by: BrainyLucario on December 27, 2017, 09:43:51 AM
Can confirm
Title: Re: Arrangement Contest No. 9 in C-triple-flat major “An Odd Time for a Contest!”
Post by: Olimar12345 on December 27, 2017, 10:05:40 AM
might want to be at the ready jic though, E.gadd.
Title: Re: Arrangement Contest No. 9 in C-triple-flat major “An Odd Time for a Contest!”
Post by: SlowPokemon on December 27, 2017, 10:37:39 AM
I'll sign up with "Title Theme" from The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask.
Title: Re: Arrangement Contest No. 9 in C-triple-flat major “An Odd Time for a Contest!”
Post by: E. Gadd Industries on December 27, 2017, 10:45:59 AM
Quote from: Olimar12345 on December 27, 2017, 10:05:40 AMmight want to be at the ready jic though, E.gadd.
Yup.
Quote from: SlowPokemon on December 27, 2017, 10:37:39 AMI'll sign up with "Title Theme" from The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask.
You're on the list now!
Title: Re: Arrangement Contest No. 9 in C-triple-flat major “An Odd Time for a Contest!”
Post by: Yug_Guy on December 27, 2017, 11:06:58 AM
Signing up. I'll probably PM you my song choice sometime later.
Title: Re: Arrangement Contest No. 9 in C-triple-flat major “An Odd Time for a Contest!”
Post by: mikey on December 27, 2017, 12:44:03 PM
I'll sign up with a medley of:
Puppet Ganon First Half
Puppet Ganon (Puppet Mode)
Puppet Ganon (Transformation)
Puppet Ganon (Spider Mode)
Puppet Ganon (Snake Mode)
Puppet Ganon Second Half

I call it puppet ganon
Title: Re: Arrangement Contest No. 9 in C-triple-flat major “An Odd Time for a Contest!”
Post by: E. Gadd Industries on December 27, 2017, 03:37:38 PM
Added both of you! @Yug make sure you choose your song before the 6th!
Title: Re: Arrangement Contest No. 9 in C-triple-flat major “An Odd Time for a Contest!”
Post by: Dekkadeci on December 27, 2017, 10:46:28 PM
Dang, ThatHiddenCharacter took one of my better ideas.

So, I'm signing up with "Magolor the Wayfarer (Lor Starcutter)" from Kirby's Return to Dream Land (a.k.a. that game's main menu theme).
Title: Re: Arrangement Contest No. 9 in C-triple-flat major “An Odd Time for a Contest!”
Post by: Bloop on December 28, 2017, 09:47:43 AM
Signing up too, with Waterfall from Undertale
Title: Re: Arrangement Contest No. 9 in C-triple-flat major “An Odd Time for a Contest!”
Post by: InsigTurtle on December 29, 2017, 12:57:25 AM
oh, if we can use more than two, i'm adding barren valley to mine
Title: Re: Arrangement Contest No. 9 in C-triple-flat major “An Odd Time for a Contest!”
Post by: Olimar12345 on December 29, 2017, 02:58:46 PM
I'm signing up for Gerudo Valley from the Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time.
Title: Re: Arrangement Contest No. 9 in C-triple-flat major “An Odd Time for a Contest!”
Post by: E. Gadd Industries on December 29, 2017, 10:09:54 PM
The list has been updated! Woot woot, we're now up to 10 participants!
Title: Re: Arrangement Contest No. 9 in C-triple-flat major “An Odd Time for a Contest!”
Post by: Static on December 30, 2017, 07:01:45 AM
Make that 11, I'll sign up with Captain Murasa from Touhou Seirensen ~ Undefined Fantastic Object.
Title: Re: Arrangement Contest No. 9 in C-triple-flat major “An Odd Time for a Contest!”
Post by: E. Gadd Industries on December 30, 2017, 03:10:09 PM
Woo! This is awesome! :D
Title: Re: Arrangement Contest No. 9 in C-triple-flat major “An Odd Time for a Contest!”
Post by: Olimar12345 on December 30, 2017, 05:04:46 PM
What do we do with our arrangement when we finish it?
Title: Re: Arrangement Contest No. 9 in C-triple-flat major “An Odd Time for a Contest!”
Post by: E. Gadd Industries on December 30, 2017, 08:14:51 PM
Dang, already? I'm impressed! You can PM the files to Brainy, myself, or any of the other judges. Either here or on Discord works (but NSM is preferred).
Title: Re: Arrangement Contest No. 9 in C-triple-flat major “An Odd Time for a Contest!”
Post by: Olimar12345 on January 01, 2018, 11:18:36 AM
Quote from: E. Gadd Industries on December 30, 2017, 08:14:51 PMDang, already? I'm impressed! You can PM the files to Brainy, myself, or any of the other judges. Either here or on Discord works (but NSM is preferred).

I'm not done yet, I was just curious.
Title: Re: Arrangement Contest No. 9 in C-triple-flat major “An Odd Time for a Contest!”
Post by: Olimar12345 on January 01, 2018, 04:34:37 PM
Question: Can midi files be replaced with mp3 files if we have them? I've made a separate version of my arrangement that simulates a performance of it via mp3, but the midi sounds awful when played, and I wouldn't want people to hear it like that.
Title: Re: Arrangement Contest No. 9 in C-triple-flat major “An Odd Time for a Contest!”
Post by: BrainyLucario on January 01, 2018, 06:52:25 PM
Yeah.
Title: Re: Arrangement Contest No. 9 in C-triple-flat major “An Odd Time for a Contest!”
Post by: E. Gadd Industries on January 01, 2018, 06:55:08 PM
ANOTHER SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT

We discussed it and are changing the requirements for submitted file types to be .pdf, .mus, and .mp3 instead of .midi

Midi files are still acceptable, but .mp3 files can be opened on Macs AND mobile devices (which will make the judging process easier on us)
Title: Re: Arrangement Contest No. 9 in C-triple-flat major “An Odd Time for a Contest!”
Post by: BrainyLucario on January 03, 2018, 12:36:08 PM
I would've made that Announcement E. Gadd. But I fell asleep midway through typing that Yeah.
Title: Re: Arrangement Contest No. 9 in C-triple-flat major “An Odd Time for a Contest!”
Post by: E. Gadd Industries on January 03, 2018, 08:49:41 PM
It's 5 characters and another click to send XD it's okay though, everyone got the memo one way or another.
Title: Re: Arrangement Contest No. 9 in C-triple-flat major “An Odd Time for a Contest!”
Post by: Lkjhgfdsa_77 on January 05, 2018, 07:08:49 PM
Tentatively signing up with Blue Radiance from Radiant Historia. With school I don't know how much time I'll have for arranging, especially for a more creative piece, but I'll join since I at least have some direction in what I'm going to do.
Title: Re: Arrangement Contest No. 9 in C-triple-flat major “An Odd Time for a Contest!”
Post by: E. Gadd Industries on January 06, 2018, 11:14:20 AM
Gotcha. Well, you're on the list!

Also:
TODAY IS THE LAST DAY TO SIGN UP
Title: Re: Arrangement Contest No. 9 in C-triple-flat major “An Odd Time for a Contest!”
Post by: WaluigiTime64 on January 06, 2018, 02:05:21 PM
can i change my choice later or is this final
Title: Re: Arrangement Contest No. 9 in C-triple-flat major “An Odd Time for a Contest!”
Post by: E. Gadd Industries on January 06, 2018, 05:16:59 PM
Gonna put this here just in case people missed it in the Discord or aren't in the Discord server:

Song changing is allowed, just PLEASE notify one of the judging panel or the host about the change. The main point of picking a song beforehand is to help you get organized going into the contest and to let us know you're serious about competing and not just signing up for ____s and giggles
Title: Re: Arrangement Contest No. 9 in C-triple-flat major “An Odd Time for a Contest!”
Post by: BrainyLucario on January 06, 2018, 05:40:55 PM
QUICK ANNOUNCEMENT

In order to avoid confusion. Please send your final submission to me. That way It's easier for the judges and me to keep organized
Title: Re: Arrangement Contest No. 9 in C-triple-flat major “An Odd Time for a Contest!”
Post by: BrainyLucario on January 11, 2018, 06:00:34 AM
Oh yeah.

THE CONTEST HAS STARTED!!! You have two months to complete your entry starting today!
Title: Re: Arrangement Contest No. 9 in C-triple-flat major “An Odd Time for a Contest!”
Post by: mikey on February 02, 2018, 08:31:27 PM
Out
Title: Re: Arrangement Contest No. 9 in C-triple-flat major “An Odd Time for a Contest!”
Post by: E. Gadd Industries on February 02, 2018, 09:24:01 PM
Already? Sorry to see you leave the contest so soon!
Title: Re: Arrangement Contest No. 9 in C-triple-flat major “An Odd Time for a Contest!”
Post by: BrainyLucario on February 03, 2018, 10:28:17 AM
I owe someone $10 now
Title: Re: Arrangement Contest No. 9 in C-triple-flat major “An Odd Time for a Contest!”
Post by: E. Gadd Industries on February 20, 2018, 04:10:58 AM
How're the entires going? This is a reminder that there are 20 days left to submit your entry.
Title: Re: Arrangement Contest No. 9 in C-triple-flat major “An Odd Time for a Contest!”
Post by: Olimar12345 on February 20, 2018, 01:26:20 PM
I've been done with mine for a while now, but with so much time left I think it's better to wait jic before sending it in.
Title: Re: Arrangement Contest No. 9 in C-triple-flat major “An Odd Time for a Contest!”
Post by: BrainyLucario on February 20, 2018, 02:15:49 PM
Cool. Dont forget to send it to me when you're finished.
Title: Re: Arrangement Contest No. 9 in C-triple-flat major “An Odd Time for a Contest!”
Post by: E. Gadd Industries on March 04, 2018, 05:42:29 AM
ONE WEEK REMAINS IN THE CONTEST!
Title: Re: Arrangement Contest No. 9 in C-triple-flat major “An Odd Time for a Contest!”
Post by: ThatHiddenCharacter on March 04, 2018, 07:03:58 AM
Aw man, I gotta drop. I won't be able to to this in a week, and I completely forgot about it. I'm sorry guys.
Title: Re: Arrangement Contest No. 9 in C-triple-flat major “An Odd Time for a Contest!”
Post by: Static on March 04, 2018, 03:04:13 PM
Unfortunately, I too will probably have to drop this. The contest slipped my mind, and soon enough I became more invested in other projects. It's not likely that I'll be able to finish it within a week, but if I do, I'll send it over.
Title: Re: Arrangement Contest No. 9 in C-triple-flat major “An Odd Time for a Contest!”
Post by: BrainyLucario on March 05, 2018, 04:32:33 AM
Gotta love the drop rate in these things. Just wouldn't be the same without it
Title: Re: Arrangement Contest No. 9 in C-triple-flat major “An Odd Time for a Contest!”
Post by: braix on March 09, 2018, 07:17:43 AM
Dropping out. I've got too much stuff in my procrastination list to catch up on
Title: Re: Arrangement Contest No. 9 in C-triple-flat major “An Odd Time for a Contest!”
Post by: E. Gadd Industries on March 11, 2018, 11:50:30 AM
ANNOUNCEMENT: For those who haven't yet turned in their piece, you have one week (as per Brainy's request)! March 18th!
Title: Re: Arrangement Contest No. 9 in C-triple-flat major “An Odd Time for a Contest!”
Post by: Olimar12345 on March 11, 2018, 12:05:14 PM
Has anyone submitted their arrangement yet?
Title: Re: Arrangement Contest No. 9 in C-triple-flat major “An Odd Time for a Contest!”
Post by: E. Gadd Industries on March 11, 2018, 01:05:04 PM
4 people have
Title: Re: Arrangement Contest No. 9 in C-triple-flat major “An Odd Time for a Contest!”
Post by: Olimar12345 on March 11, 2018, 01:07:59 PM
noice
Title: Re: Arrangement Contest No. 9 in C-triple-flat major “An Odd Time for a Contest!”
Post by: E. Gadd Industries on March 11, 2018, 01:32:05 PM
(http://i0.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/newsfeed/000/967/326/252.gif)

I'm pumped to score these!
Title: Re: Arrangement Contest No. 9 in C-triple-flat major “An Odd Time for a Contest!”
Post by: BrainyLucario on March 11, 2018, 06:37:25 PM
Yug_Guy has dropped out my dudes
Title: Re: Arrangement Contest No. 9 in C-triple-flat major “An Odd Time for a Contest!”
Post by: E. Gadd Industries on March 19, 2018, 09:05:06 PM
Ummm... yeah. No one ever came here and officially closed things, and I was semi-away yesterday. So I guess sometime over the next 24 hours, if you haven't turned in your entry, do so.
Title: Re: Arrangement Contest No. 9 in C-triple-flat major “An Odd Time for a Contest!”
Post by: BrainyLucario on March 20, 2018, 08:26:03 AM
ALLLLLRIGHT PEOPLE!

The deadline is up so that means judging is about to be under way!

Here's everyone that I have an entry for. If your name isn't on the list and you sent me something, let me know!

InsigTurtle
Dekkadeci
Bloop
Olimar12345
Lkjhgfdsa_77

Good luck to all our participants, and may glory reign onto your Arrangement!
Title: Re: Arrangement Contest No. 9 in C-triple-flat major “An Odd Time for a Contest!”
Post by: Dekkadeci on March 21, 2018, 12:37:08 PM
Wondering when the entries will be released and the Popular Vote will begin.
Title: Re: Arrangement Contest No. 9 in C-triple-flat major “An Odd Time for a Contest!”
Post by: BrainyLucario on March 21, 2018, 02:13:34 PM
I planned on releasing the entries by April 9th, give the judges some time to judge and stuff, might be later who knows
Title: Re: Arrangement Contest No. 9 in C-triple-flat major “An Odd Time for a Contest!”
Post by: Bloop on March 21, 2018, 02:16:59 PM
The judges don't have to judge the entries before the popular vote poll right? That's just unnecessarily delaying the results.
Title: Re: Arrangement Contest No. 9 in C-triple-flat major “An Odd Time for a Contest!”
Post by: E. Gadd Industries on March 21, 2018, 02:20:32 PM
When I can get to my computer, I'll put up the poll, so they can occur simultaneously
Title: Re: Arrangement Contest No. 9 in C-triple-flat major “An Odd Time for a Contest!”
Post by: Olimar12345 on March 21, 2018, 03:53:18 PM
Just make sure to hide the poll results until the voting is over, as to not influence the judging (or voting).
Title: Re: Arrangement Contest No. 9 in C-triple-flat major “An Odd Time for a Contest!”
Post by: BrainyLucario on March 21, 2018, 04:21:26 PM
That works too I guess
Title: Re: Arrangement Contest No. 9 in C-triple-flat major “An Odd Time for a Contest!”
Post by: Dekkadeci on March 26, 2018, 09:20:41 PM
Quote from: E. Gadd Industries on March 21, 2018, 02:20:32 PMWhen I can get to my computer, I'll put up the poll, so they can occur simultaneously
It's been some days--wondering when the poll will be up.

Olimar12345 does bring up a good point, though:
Quote from: Olimar12345 on March 21, 2018, 03:53:18 PMJust make sure to hide the poll results until the voting is over, as to not influence the judging (or voting).
If we can't hide the poll results from everyone who completes the poll, we'd better have all the judges finish judging before voting.
Title: Re: Arrangement Contest No. 9 in C-triple-flat major “An Odd Time for a Contest!”
Post by: E. Gadd Industries on March 26, 2018, 09:41:19 PM
Cripes D: Sorry! I kinda got carried away with life! It's going on my to-do list for tomorrow!
Title: Re: Arrangement Contest No. 9 in C-triple-flat major “An Odd Time for a Contest!”
Post by: E. Gadd Industries on March 27, 2018, 07:53:10 PM
Ummmmm yeah, I can't hide the results until after the voting is done. I'm assuming that's a mod's job, in which case I will poke a mod about.

EDIT: But with that, that doesn't mean I can't provide you with the files to the entries!

Bloop's "Waterfall of the Dead" (https://www.dropbox.com/sh/5ckk5085fbgiwus/AAALTKzLRyjyRGHU4usW5vJua?dl=0)
Dekkadeci's "The Wayfarer and the Setting Star"* (https://www.dropbox.com/sh/7d2el3lyw79uvmr/AACcxgkoTp_QMv1GA23wod17a?dl=0)
InsigTurtle's "Elegy of the Barren Chasm" (https://www.dropbox.com/sh/id4sp9woaaaptiz/AABPgnQUUimb_aPvxEDmwDDfa?dl=0)
Lkjhgfdsa_77's "The Destined Heroes' Radiant Quest" (https://www.dropbox.com/sh/355gntwb607jy2f/AADsmpsEy4cO6HiTBzUt8TRea?dl=0)
Olimar12345's "Gerudo Valley" (https://www.dropbox.com/sh/8f70e33320cblqa/AACq13p1Rzsbsqg1Mez6lN2Sa?dl=0)

*Here is the link to Dekkadeci's .WAV file. It was taking too long to upload to my DB (40something MB), and it's late, so I'm trying to get some sleep. (https://drive.google.com/open?id=1rg33dkVV5FglkqYJQflWWV20L3H78QwE)
Title: Re: Arrangement Contest No. 9 in C-triple-flat major “An Odd Time for a Contest!”
Post by: ThatHiddenCharacter on March 27, 2018, 08:43:54 PM
Quote from: E. Gadd Industries on March 27, 2018, 07:53:10 PMUmmmmm yeah, I can't hide the results until after the voting is done. I'm assuming that's a mod's job, in which case I will poke a mod about.
There should be an option when making a poll to not let people view the results until the poll's finished. I make polls all the time, and that option is always there. Unless you're not talking about polls.
Title: Re: Arrangement Contest No. 9 in C-triple-flat major “An Odd Time for a Contest!”
Post by: Bloop on March 27, 2018, 08:50:07 PM
Apparently you can only choose that option after entering how long the poll will run.
Title: Re: Arrangement Contest No. 9 in C-triple-flat major “An Odd Time for a Contest!”
Post by: Dekkadeci on March 27, 2018, 09:13:17 PM
Quote from: Bloop on March 27, 2018, 08:50:07 PMApparently you can only choose that option after entering how long the poll will run.
The poll shouldn't be running indefinitely or else it will overlap with the Arrangement Contest No. 10 poll, anyway. Maybe somewhere between a week to a month is fine?
Title: Re: Arrangement Contest No. 9 in C-triple-flat major “An Odd Time for a Contest!”
Post by: E. Gadd Industries on March 27, 2018, 09:16:58 PM
Oh. ._. One moment and the poll will be up. In the meantime, I posted links to the files
Title: Re: Arrangement Contest No. 9 in C-triple-flat major “An Odd Time for a Contest!”
Post by: Dekkadeci on March 27, 2018, 09:23:59 PM
Regarding my entry, I consider my MP3 to be superior to my WAV. I like the sound balance on the MP3 better.
Title: Re: Arrangement Contest No. 9 in C-triple-flat major “An Odd Time for a Contest!”
Post by: InsigTurtle on March 28, 2018, 12:06:58 AM
Hey, Bloop: Would your entry happen to be inspired by Rachmaninoff's Isle of the Dead? I'm just wondering because of the ostinato and time signature you used, and also because that was one of my inspirations.

Also, I got pretty lazy with this one. When I slowed down Chasm Cave's theme, I noticed it was pretty much identical to one of the motifs used in the Rite of Spring. In "Spring Rounds" there's a part that uses this motif, and then proceeds to use something that sounds like Hidden Highland from PMD2. Essentially, I tried to make up for the lack of content with a double reference.
Title: Re: Arrangement Contest No. 9 in C-triple-flat major “An Odd Time for a Contest!”
Post by: ThatHiddenCharacter on March 28, 2018, 04:41:59 AM
Quote from: E. Gadd Industries on March 27, 2018, 09:16:58 PMOh. ._. One moment and the poll will be up. In the meantime, I posted links to the files
I can see the poll results. Are you sure you did it right?
Title: Re: Arrangement Contest No. 9 in C-triple-flat major “An Odd Time for a Contest!”
Post by: E. Gadd Industries on March 28, 2018, 06:00:04 AM
Quote from: ThatHiddenCharacter on March 28, 2018, 04:41:59 AMI can see the poll results. Are you sure you did it right?

>>>:/ Yes, I did do it right. For some reason, it reverted back
Title: Re: Arrangement Contest No. 9 in C-triple-flat major “An Odd Time for a Contest!
Post by: MaestroUGC on March 28, 2018, 08:02:07 AM
Fixed that for you.
Title: Re: Arrangement Contest No. 9 in C-triple-flat major “An Odd Time for a Contest!”
Post by: E. Gadd Industries on March 28, 2018, 10:20:58 AM
Thanks you Maestro!!
Title: Re: Arrangement Contest No. 9 in C-triple-flat major “An Odd Time for a Contest!”
Post by: Bloop on March 29, 2018, 01:40:13 PM
Quote from: InsigTurtle on March 28, 2018, 12:06:58 AMHey, Bloop: Would your entry happen to be inspired by Rachmaninoff's Isle of the Dead? I'm just wondering because of the ostinato and time signature you used, and also because that was one of my inspirations.
It is, yes! That piece was my main inspiration for my entry; the viola also plays the ostinato from that piece in like three bars or so.
Title: Re: Arrangement Contest No. 9 in C-triple-flat major “An Odd Time for a Contest!”
Post by: Dekkadeci on April 13, 2018, 06:24:13 PM
Votes close this upcoming Tuesday, Apr. 17 right now. Hoping all the judges submit their stuff before the popular vote is revealed...

...are we on track for none of the judges spoiling themselves?
Title: Re: Arrangement Contest No. 9 in C-triple-flat major “An Odd Time for a Contest!”
Post by: Olimar12345 on April 24, 2018, 12:34:12 AM
Bump. How's this coming along, guys?
Title: Re: Arrangement Contest No. 9 in C-triple-flat major “An Odd Time for a Contest!”
Post by: BrainyLucario on April 24, 2018, 07:45:54 AM
Well, no ones really sent me their scores yet sooo...
Title: Re: Arrangement Contest No. 9 in C-triple-flat major “An Odd Time for a Contest!”
Post by: Olimar12345 on May 06, 2018, 01:27:50 AM
I think this died :(
Title: Re: Arrangement Contest No. 9 in C-triple-flat major “An Odd Time for a Contest!”
Post by: BrainyLucario on May 07, 2018, 12:08:17 PM
So far I've only received E. Gadd's scoring
Title: Re: Arrangement Contest No. 9 in C-triple-flat major “An Odd Time for a Contest!”
Post by: BrainyLucario on June 22, 2018, 10:37:32 AM
Tallying up the votes and stuff The winner will finally be announced today!
Title: Re: Arrangement Contest No. 9 in C-triple-flat major “An Odd Time for a Contest!”
Post by: BrainyLucario on June 22, 2018, 10:59:48 AM
Here they are! The long awaited results of this delayed contest!

Bloop

E. Gadd Industries
Criteria (15/15 pts): GAH COMPOUND TIME SIGNATURES AHHHHHHHHHHHHH I still don't understand how those things work. But! Your piece implemented them (among the many other time sig changes and just general off time sigs altogether) very well (I think...). The piece was really well done, and I did not detect any awkwardness (although there's a lot of chaos, I feel, at certain points. But with practice I believe that feeling would go away.)
Creativity (15/15 pts): Yeah, the rhythm was DEFINITELY varied throughout; it changed to produce some very wild rhythmic structures. The string quartet was a good, creative choice for this piece, but that'll be discussed two items down.
Preservation (10/10 pts): The piece was recognizable throughout, and I could easily tell it was a derivative of "Waterfall". Uhhhhh... yeah. That's all I got.
Orchestration (10/10 pts): The piece worked really well as a string quartet! I'm very pleased with how it turned out. It was definitely a creative pick, as that's something I would never have thought of. The original song itself doesn't offer a lot of suggestions with what would work well, and while there are strings halfway through, I wasn't expecting something to work all the way through a piece.
Presentation (10/10 pts):
Formatting: ...this is literally the same thing for every person. Uhhhhh... you got everything, yey?
Legibility: Everything's clear and easy to understand, expressions and such. Although I will say, someone who doesn't quite grasp compound time signatures might start doing this
Spoiler
(http://i0.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/newsfeed/001/172/010/6e4.jpg)
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internally when they reach those points.
Playability: Despite the fact that compound time sigs can easily bamboozle people that don't deal with them, I'm choosing to not dock points because the members of the quartet that aren't familiar with how they work can just follow the measures and play the music instead of worrying about how the beats are distributed. And ultimately that's what they will do. And plus, the rhythms aren't all that difficult to read, you just have to keep a steady count and don't focus on what you count to. (I guess? I would be the one freaking out and screeching confusedly upon reaching those, ultimately screwing everyone else up. But that's what practice is for, right?) Oh, and uh... nothing too crazy with techniques and things. Average people with appropriate strings experience could play this.


Total: 60/60 points
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Andy
Criteria - 12
Creativity - 10
Preservation - 8
Orchestration - 8
Presentation - 10

Total: 48/60
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MasterSuperFan
Criteria (11/15): I like the attempt at variety with all the changing time signatures and the sections with alternating time signatures, but honestly I think you've lost me for most of this piece. I don't think some of these rhythms lend themselves well to being fit in such a variety of time signatures, particularly because those rhythms themselves don't very clearly indicate what notes are on the downbeat or not. For instance, the downbeat of m10 (the G) is part of an ascending pattern of constant eighth notes. When the melody comes in, I feel like the sense of meter is thrown off a bit because the melody itself does not indicate the downbeat—based on the rhythm, I just wouldn't guess that that G would be the first beat of a measure. To show a contrasting example, the sixteenth note pickups at the end of m11 do a better job of indicating the downbeat of m12 in the rhythm. I think a way to restructure the melody to be more varied than rhythms with consecutive eighth notes and some longer held notes would alleviate this.

My ear never really got the hang of the time signature beyond the 5/8 parts with the same ostinato as the beginning—I think everything just changed too often for me to get accustomed to it, and I felt all over the place listening through the more complex sections. Kudos for creativity, though.

Creativity (12/15): The strings are definitely an interesting take on the original track. The time signature, while confusing (to my ear, at least), offers a sense of disturbance and distortion that lends the arrangement an eerie feel. But I also think that I would have appreciated some more variety in terms of voicing, rhythms, and mood. There are points when you do change it up: a sudden quiet section, parts with added staccatos and ornamentations, higher violin melodies. And those are good. But I feel that the piece might also be relying on the changes in time signature too much for variety, and when I can't follow the meter all that well, those changes don't really do much for me.

I feel like there could be other twists to add that would keep me more engaged and give me more of a reason to listen for all seven minutes other than listening for a bit and thinking I've heard it all. You could change the rhythm of the melody beyond how it has to adjust to fit changing time signatures. You could change which instruments play the melody for a bit; give the cello an opportunity to play it slowly during a quiet lull, for instance. Or you could at one point let one of the strings play the opening chimes of the original Waterfall track pizzicato. There are a lot of possibilities here—I'll touch on this again in the next section.

Preservation (9/10): It's recognizable quickly and easily, which is a good thing. But I also feel like the melody doesn't quite match up with the original—which is perhaps to be expected, given the odd time signature, but at times it does feel awkward, rushed, and all-over-the-place nonetheless, making it a bit more difficult to appreciate Toby Fox's melody here. But it's not always that this is the case and for the most part the original does shine through.

The other thing here—and it is a bit nitpicky to critique your arrangement for something that it doesn't have nor doesn't need to have, so I won't really consider it heavily scorewise, but I want to mention it nonetheless—is that I sorely missed the chimes at the beginning of the original track. I do wish it could have been incorporated somehow—I mentioned pizzicato earlier, and I believe that could work, although it might be much harder than expected with the weird time signature in the mix. But overall, you do this theme justice. Heh. Heheh. Get it? No? ...I'll stop.

Orchestration (7/10): The strings give the track a very somber, flowing feel that helps to accentuate the sorrow in the original track. I'm especially fond of when the cello part is pronounced, adding a rich, low sound to the arrangement. I feel that sometimes the violin melody undermines the mournful mood a bit sometimes when it plays a moving line with high notes—but there are plenty of times when the violin also definitely contributes to the piece's tone.

Besides the first violin, however, I feel like the other instruments don't carve out much of an identify for themselves. I mentioned how I liked the cello–I really wish I could see more of that, like as if it could play the melody at one point while the violin is resting. And I think the second violin and viola could be given some uniqueness to their lines, too. As it stands now, I feel like the other instruments other than the first violin just kind of blend together into an amorphous background ambience—which does help the piece feel more eerie and desolate, but I don't think it needs to be that way all the time. As it is, the instrumentation feels too similar and unchanging across the whole seven minutes. This isn't to say that a string quartet doesn't work—but I think that, to succeed, it requires an extra push of creativity and tinkering beyond what you normally might need in order to make up for the limitations of using four similar-sounding instruments (see, for example, the suggestions I mentioned in the Creativity section).

I will admit, though, the MP3 playback here isn't doing you any favors.

Presentation (9/10): For the most part, everything is good: title, formatting, dynamics, articulations... The one thing that's confusing is the 7/8+5/8+6/8 time signature. I was expecting it to be one measure of 7/8, followed by one measure of 5/8 and then one measure of 6/8, but actually it seems like 7/8+5/8 for three pairs of measures and then 7/8+6/8? I think it could be notated more clearly; I don't quite follow the current time signature marking as is.


TOTAL SCORE: 48/60
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Dekkadeci

E. Gadd Industries
Criteria (13/15 pts): The time signature was different indeed for the parts that pulled from "Magolor the Wayfarer", although this was the native time signature for "My Friend and the Setting Sun...". This is what docked the entrant two points. That said, 12/8 was used fairly well, no awkwardness was present. It felt like a solid rock ballad (not sure if that's what the entrant was going for, but that's what I took it as).
Creativity (8/15 pts): I'm not quite sure what was going on in this piece. I saw names of other songs in the .PDF, and while most are related to the Meta Knight's theme and whatnot, I was thoroughly confused by their presence, given the PM only mentioned "Magalor the Wayfarer" and "My Friend and the Setting Sun..." Additionally, the singular time signature wasn't all that impacting in terms of creativity (if that makes any sense), as stated above: one of the two main(?) themes used in this piece is natively in 12/8. What saved this piece is the entrant's ability to turn "Magalor" into the ballad it became, that was very skillfully done and implemented with quite flawlessly.
Preservation (8/10 pts): Okay, lemme say I had an extremely difficult time finding "Magalor". It was nothing on the entrant's fault, but I was turning YouTube upside-down trying to find the correct song. (Yes, Dekka, I am aware that you mentioned it was the main menu theme in the PM... now.) Anyway, on to relevant matters, I struggled picking up on the "Magalor" track of the piece, even after listening to the original quite a few times in a row (I would listen to the first few seconds of the piece and then go back and listen to the original, and try and compare). Maybe it's just the time signature? Perhaps it has something to do with an imbalance in theme, favoring Meta Knight's Revenge & related? I'm not sure as for the reason, but I believe that has something to do with it. BUT, the Meta Knight's Revenge, "My Friend..." and the other related themes were definitely recognizable!
Orchestration (10/10 pts): As soon as I heard the organ, I knew I would be in for a fun ride, and indeed it was! The orchestration fit well for the piece and the mood, what more is there to say?
Presentation (10/10 pts):
Formatting: Everything's there, title, subtitle, measure numbers, page numbers, it's exactly what it needs to be!
Legibility: Everything is clear, nothing all that confusing, and that's all needing to be said here.
Playbility: Looks good to me! I don't play strings (wait, yeah I do, a small amount. I just don't know what I'm doing), so I wouldn't know about the playability of the geetars, but I mean, none of the measures for any system looks difficult. So gj yey.

Total: 49/60 points

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Andy
Criteria - 8
Creativity - 11
Preservation - 9
Orchestration - 10
Presentation - 9

Total: 47/60
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MasterSuperFan
Criteria (9/15): Hmmmm. 12/8 isn't a particularly odd time signature, but, in terms of sounding good, it works for the most part. I think by "weird time sig" we were going for something stranger, though. As it is now, it sounds less like someone wanted to snazz it up with a weird time signature and more like someone just wanted a more Western feel to the track, with 12/8 and My Friend and the Setting Sun arpeggios being a convenient way to go about it.

Which leads me to my other point: with the background arpeggios, the similar instrumentation, and even the melody itself all from My Friend and Setting Sun, it sounds less like a 12/8 rendition of Magolor's theme in particular and more like a medley of various melodies incorporated into My Friend and the Setting Sun, one of which happens to be Magolor's theme—like a HQ rip of My Friend and the Setting Sun, almost, if that makes sense. I feel like the 12/8 starts to lose its novelty there—largely, you haven't really changed that much. But I do like the way Magolor's theme sounds in this new rhythm, I'll give you that.

Creativity (13/15): Definitely the most creative parts about your arrangement are the instrumentation and the references to so many different themes—which you're going to see me talk about more in the next two sections. The way you've incorporated both Magolor the Wayfarer and My Friend and the Setting Sun together really paint this new picture of Magolor and his motif with the way they sound together, reminiscent of Distant Traveler from Kirby's Dream Collection with its minor scale, yet slower and more reflective. One of the reasons this works so well is because of the somber mood you have in this arrangement with the slow guitar arpeggios—but it's also important to note that this is heavily taken directly from My Friend and the Setting Sun, and without developing the arrangement more thoroughly in a new direction throughout, I feel that it could use an extra bit of inspiration (as mentioned above, kind of like a HQ rip on the track rather than a totally new take on it). But your take on all the other Kirby themes incorporated into this mood is creative and engaging, and that's definitely a plus.

Preservation (10/10): I'm a little puzzled by the fact that you chose to put Magolor's theme in the subtitle and not My Friend and the Setting Sun—because I think your best achievement of preservation here is with the latter. You keep the feel of the track while incorporating Magolor's theme in a new, lonely way (see above in the Orchestration section) and reference so many other Kirby themes without breaking the mood of the grave credits theme. This is undoubtedly one of the greatest aspects of your arrangement, and it shows the thought and care you put into making this piece work.

Orchestration (8/10): I love how the guitar is reminiscent of My Friend and the Setting Sun and its Western feel, while the trumpet playing Magolor's theme stands out while almost feeling isolated from the other instruments, evoking a rather desolate image of Magolor himself. The bass is also really nice, especially when it plays its own part in the middle of the arrangement. I will say that the chords of the organ feel a little too thick for this lonely-sounding piece. And as much as I like the combination of trumpet and guitar here, I still wish that maybe the instrumentation could be varied a little more throughout, just to develop the piece further and add some variety. But the orchestration here does what it needs to do and does it well.

Presentation (9/10): Formatting, legibility, and notation all seem good. I just think that the sheet could use a couple more articulations and/or some slurs throughout. As it is, most of the notes are bare aside from some staccatos sprinkled through. (Also, a very minor gripe, but I noticed a quarter tied to a sixteenth in the organ part in m8 and I'm not sure why it's there. I guess maybe it's for playback? But I feel like it's a little unnecessarily complex and it would be better just to have a simple dotted quarter there.)


TOTAL SCORE: 49/60
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Title: Re: Arrangement Contest No. 9 in C-triple-flat major “An Odd Time for a Contest!”
Post by: BrainyLucario on June 22, 2018, 11:21:05 AM
InsigTurtle

E. Gadd Industries
Criteria (15/15 pts):
Many time sigs were used, although they tended to stay ⅝ and ⅞. Both of these are odd, and neither are native to either piece, so this is good. No awkwardness is present, but the line played by the Violins in m11-17 is repeated quite a bit. That said, such repetitiveness keeps the piece grounded, as it is a major part of "Chasm Cave".
Creativity (13/15 pts):
I felt as though the piece did not go anywhere, as though it favored the Static* side of the spectrum, if you will. Now, the piece is very rhythmically diverse and dynamic, two big components in this particular competition. So the piece did well in that regard!
*Side note, I'm not fixing that typo. I absentmindedly capitalized that, which probably means I've been spending too much time on NSM. But that's okay, and I'm fine with that.
Preservation (10/10 pts):
Both themes were definitely recognizable throughout the piece, and they didn't clash.
Orchestration (10/10 pts):
Three words describe the orchestration: dark, dreary, depressing. And it fits, especially "Chasm Cave". I especially appreciated the flute and varied use of percussion.
Presentation (10/10 pts)
Formatting:
Everything appears as it is needed. Measure numbers, page numbers, title, subtitle. What more could be asked?
Legibility
Playing directions were very clear, expressions were straightforward, and almost nothing was clashing. The only issue present was a small amount of clashing between the de/crescendo and the dynamics markings, and even with the clashing, it was still readable. It might not sit well with the OCD folk, though. Just warning you.
Playability
I had to look up the highest notes playable on flute and violin, but everything seems to be playable within a natural instrument's range. And everything generally looks playable, especially with the tempo.


Total: 58/60 points
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Andy
Criteria - 15
Creativity - 14
Preservation - 9
Orchestration - 10
Presentation - 9

Total: 57/60
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MasterSuperFan
Criteria (12/15): The 5/8 part works relatively well, I think. The simple dotted quarter-eighth-eighth rhythm makes the 5/8 feel natural and easy to understand to the listener; when it came to the 5/8 parts, I understood the rhythm very quickly and never felt lost. I do think that, given the constant rhythm of the original, it makes the 5/8 feel a bit dull after a while—I feel that it would sound more interesting in this time signature if you did something different with the melody other than "long note at beginning of measure" + "pickup note(s) to next measure." Other instruments do help when they play different parts, but that line is always there with a very heavy presence.

I like the switch to time signatures to change things up, but, unlike in the 5/8 sections, I could never really get the hang of where the beat or measure breaks were in the 7/8 section without having to count aloud with the sheet music. It's not hard to listen to, but I just stopped keeping track of the measures and listened to what I felt like was just a free-flowing section without much of a set meter. I think that does hurt it a bit when the theme is about time signatures.

Creativity (13/15): I definitely like your slow, solemn take on two of the more urgent, faster-paced tracks that play in the dark future.  The time signature definitely helps with this too—the dropped eighth note from the original (in 3/4) ensures that the first held note of each measure isn't prolonged too much so that the track doesn't lose the forward motion it once had, even if the tempo is much slower now. I like the variety of unique voices and melodies—and the references to Hidden Highland are a special touch.

I think that maybe the best way to improve this further (and I'm starting to notice that I've been saying this quite a bit across all the arrangements now!) is to develop some more variety as the piece progresses. I love how the Chasm Cave sections are broken by the quieter, mellower Barren Valley part in the middle. But some part of me desperately wants to hear that the same peak the piece hits in the second Chasm Cave section at around 4:40 is something different and new from the first peak 1:00 other than some more added blaring horns and other background instruments. Perhaps I'm missing some nuance here, but I wish there was something more to keep me engaged the second time around after the Barren Valley section was over. (See also: what I mentioned about the dull, repetitive rhythm in the Criteria section.)

I like the ending, though.

Preservation (8/10): I can definitely hear Chasm Cave in there, but to be honest, I'm not sure someone would be able to recognize it with certainty without knowing beforehand that it was based off of it until, say, measure 45. I'd say this is likely attributable to the fact that Chasm Cave has such a simple, repetitive rhythmic pattern—and you don't really go beyond that first melody until you're right about to transition into the Barren Valley section. Maybe there was a way to incorporate the intro or some of the other melodies from Chasm Cave as well?

The Barren Valley section is more recognizable, but I did have to go back and check the original to make sure I placed the melody correctly. Admittedly, though, I'm not as familiar with the whole track as I am with Chasm Cave.

Orchestration (9/10): I really like the variety of instruments you've included in here; they definitely help to increase the tension and drama of the arrangement, and I like how the melody switches from the violins in the Chasm Cave section to the woodwinds in the Barren Valley section. But part of me wishes for a little more variety in the roles of these instruments within the sections themselves, rather than just changing what part gets the melody depending on which of the two themes you're using. Give the violins and their high-pitched line a break during one of the Chasm Cave parts and allow another instrument to take the spotlight. The ending begins to go there—giving the flute and trumpet their own parts after the violins have dropped out—but I really would have liked to see something like that during part of the buildup or climax itself, not just the finale as the arrangement calms down to its resolution.

Presentation (10/10): Formatting, legibility, and playability all seem good here. Nice use of dynamics, articulations, slurs, and double barlines.


TOTAL SCORE: 52/60
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Lkjhgfdsa

E. Gadd Industries
Criteria (15/15 pts):
Not only did the entrant effectively use one time signature, the entrant masterfully incorporated a total of 16 signature changes throughout the entire piece (plus or minus a few, I might have lost count in the last 3-4 pages). There was no awkwardness detected, and the piece flowed very smoothly for the full 8 minutes. Very well done! (This is the first piece I judged, and if all of them are this good, which I am anticipating, this will be a fun round of scoring!)
Creativity (15/15 pts):
Much of the creativity found in this piece was found in the effective combination of three different songs from the game's OST. And not only that, but all 3 are in 4/4 time naturally, so to see all of them weave in and out of the various time signatures (and each other) so easily shows me the entrant really tried hard to pull this together, and they did extremely well. And yeah, all that other stuff goes in as well. Rhythmic structure, variation, dynamics. I didn't quite catch any specific feeling, but I am attributing that to my lack of familiarity with the game, and not on the fault of the entrant.
Preservation (10/10 pts):
All three tracks are quite well-preserved in the piece, and someone familiar with the game will easily be able to identify them.
Orchestration (10/10 pts):
The orchestration is well-varied and it fits the piece very naturally. And it is reasonably well-balanced. I especially liked the call-and-response style utilized throughout.
Presentation (10/10 pts):
Formatting: It's all there, section headings, measure numbers, page numbers, a title, and everything else asked of the entrant.
Legibility: The piece is more-than-sufficiently legible, with no overcrowding of expressions, articulations, and the like, and it is very clear what to play and how.
Playability: Every part seems to be playable, no yellow notes are present. Nothing seems to be overbearingly difficult for a person to play.

Total: 60/60 points
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Andy
Criteria - 14
Creativity - 10
Preservation - 7
Orchestration - 7
Presentation - 4

Total: 42/60
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MasterSuperFan
Criteria (15/15): Holy DAMN, this is good. The varied time signatures work unbelievably well—I always knew where the beat fell, and the rhythms always felt natural. I really have to commend how your rhythms and patterns always make it clear where the beat is so that the time signature doesn't ever get confusing. It's incredible how you can use such a variety of time signatures without ever losing me as a listener. This feels like it could be in a video game, strange time signatures and all, and fit perfectly in place.  Bravo—you really pulled off the theme of this contest.

Creativity (15/15): After listening to the original tracks, I was initially worried that your orchestration would be too similar to the original and not distinctly "you" enough. I was wrong. Yes, many of the instruments might be similar, but the way that you develop so many different sections uniquely and transition between them so well blows me away. From the grandiose trumpets blaring melodies to the snare drum drumming a quiet march, from the flutes singing a melody of triumph to the slow, sorrowful tuba, this really does feel like a quest—a journey, from beginning to end—and I love every moment of it.

Preservation (10/10): Admittedly, this is the only one of the entries whose original tracks I'm not familiar with. But I've gone back and listened to all three of the tracks listed in the title, and their preservation is very clear in your theme—I might've almost thought it too similar, but the extensive variety in your arrangement is far more than enough to make up for that! Also, I think you've got me hooked on the Radiant Historia soundtrack now.

Orchestration (10/10)
: Beautiful. The strings in the background and the trumpets, flutes, and violins each playing majestic melodies really work together to make this sound absolutely stunning. The timpani gives the theme a very pounding, dramatic feel, and the snare drum adds a steady, march-like feel—and when both of these are absent, the piece becomes slow, somber, emotional. The instrumentation is very reminiscent of the original, but the sheer diversity of how each instrument is used throughout the whole piece to create such a variety of moods makes it so much more unique. This really DOES feel like it belongs in a grand video game already, and I know this is something I'm going to keep coming back to listen to long after this contest has passed.

Presentation (10/10): Formatting, legibility, and playability all seem good here. Lots of helpful articulations throughout; they make it very clear to the performers how you want this played.

TOTAL SCORE: 60/60
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Olimar12345

E. Gadd Industries
Criteria (15/15 pts): The piece definitely did what was asked of it. The time signature is definitely nowhere near a "normal" time signature, and it makes it work very well! Awkwardness is minimal (with the exception of some clashing harmonies, which were intentional, as stated in the entrant's PM containing the piece files).
Creativity (15/15 pts): This piece ties with Bloop's for the craziest time signature of all the entries. Really, I didn't think 27/16 would ever have a chance of working out, and yet here I am, and here this piece is. Brilliant work getting that to work! Not to mention the other creative bits in this piece, from the improv section (which was great) to the chord progression (also a good bit of extra added in)!
Preservation (10/10 pts): They original is easily recognizable throughout the entire piece.
Orchestration (10/10 pts): What is it about jazz and desert themes? This piece, Shamar from Sonic Unleashed, and I know there are more, but it's 11:30 and I'm not going to mess with that. Anyway, the instrumentation was very fitting, it complemented the style very well (and to an extent the crazy time signature!)
Presentation (9/10 pts):
Formatting: Everything's there. Yay.
Legibility: Everything is clear and readable (although the rhythm groupings may be hard to follow upon the first few times reading and practicing it). That is what caused a point to be deducted. They are understandable, however, as they come with the presence of such a complicated time signature.
Playability: The piece is playable by most musicians, although it is best fit for jazz musicians.

Total: 59/60 points
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Andy
Criteria - 14
Creativity - 14
Preservation - 10
Orchestration - 10
Presentation - 10

Total: 58/60
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MasterSuperFan
Criteria (14/15): Now this time signature is out there, but you make it work well. With it being so unorthodox, it did throw me off for a bit, but I got used to it after listening to the piano for only a few measures, and that's a plus—with a time signature like this it's bound to be strange at first, but I like the way you make it feel natural than I thought it even could. I really am a fan of the funky, jazzy feel that this time signature gives, dropping a beat at the end too. The one thing that continues to throws me off is the main melody—it still throws me off listening to it in some places, and I feel like it doesn't really line up with the time signature the way the rest of the parts do. But I really have to applaud you for going so far with the weird time signature idea—I approve.

Creativity (15/15): Apart from the occasional wonkiness of the melody as mentioned above, there's nothing at all disagreeable in this arrangement. I'm not the biggest fan of all types of jazz, but I do love some pieces in a jazzy style—and this is absolutely one of them. The improvised solo section between the melodies is a great break from the original track, and you vary the instrumentation, melody, and mood enough throughout that each part feels fresh and never repetitive. You clearly came into this project with a clear idea of what direction you wanted to take this theme in—and made it happen spectacularly.

Preservation (10/10): All parts of the melody are stand out well and are very easy to recognize, even as you put your own twist on them with this time signature. Even the piano chords, despite being different, are reminiscent of the original as well. Good work here.

Orchestration (10/10): The instrumentation here absolutely fits the jazzy style of the funky time signature you've chosen. I'm in love with those piano chords, and the trumpets here hearken back to the original while the sax brings a totally new feel to the track. I love that short section when the piano plays the melody before the end, too. I almost wonder if the bass should be louder, but I get the feeling that it's a personal preference and it still does its job well as is—and it's playback anyways, so not worth worrying about.

Presentation (10/10): Formatting, legibility, and playability all seem good here. The articulations on the piano part really bring out the jazzy feel, and the chords written throughout are helpful as well–particularly at the improvised solo section. You definitely know what you're doing when it comes to notation in this style of music.


TOTAL SCORE: 59/60

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Title: Re: Arrangement Contest No. 9 in C-triple-flat major “An Odd Time for a Contest!”
Post by: BrainyLucario on June 22, 2018, 11:27:59 AM
And now I'd like to congratulate the winner of this contest! May he be showered with fan-art and meme edits!

Spoiler
Olimar12345!!!!

and a shout out to our runner up
Spoiler
Insigturtle!!!
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A big thanks to everyone who participated, despite the long wait.
Title: Re: Arrangement Contest No. 9 in C-triple-flat major “An Odd Time for a Contest!”
Post by: Bloop on June 23, 2018, 10:57:19 PM
@Mastersuperfan I actually did put in the chimes, although a bit sneaky: they're in m. 43-52.

Also, the flow and lack of downbeat in my piece was intended. I wanted it to just flow like a waterfall, as a big inspiration of this piece was Isle of the Dead and the wavy sound of that piece. Because something has complex time signatures, it doesn't have to be rhythmically easy of clear to listen to: take Stravinsky's Rite of Spring as example.

As for the mixed time signatures @EGadd: composers use these so they won't have to change time signatures every time. The way I interpret them is: until the next time signature change, these bars contain 5/8, 7/8, and 6/8 bars.
A compound time signature is a time signature that has dotted notes as beats, like 6/8, 9/8, 12/16, etc.
Title: Re: Arrangement Contest No. 9 in C-triple-flat major “An Odd Time for a Contest!”
Post by: E. Gadd Industries on June 24, 2018, 10:57:55 AM
Quote from: Bloop on June 23, 2018, 10:57:19 PMAs for the mixed time signatures @EGadd: composers use these so they won't have to change time signatures every time. The way I interpret them is: until the next time signature change, these bars contain 5/8, 7/8, and 6/8 bars.
A compound time signature is a time signature that has dotted notes as beats, like 6/8, 9/8, 12/16, etc.
XDDD I'm so dumb I swear... but that does make a lot of sense!
Title: Re: Arrangement Contest No. 9 in C-triple-flat major “An Odd Time for a Contest!”
Post by: Olimar12345 on June 24, 2018, 08:34:18 PM
Oh hey this is still a thing six months later. Woop woop gg everyone! I had fun and hope you did too.