MattMVS7
I guess I'm just having a hard time understanding how others perceive my song. I'm glad that quantumeffect at least had fun doing something (and that's what this topic is about--it is completely open and for the select few that actually choose to use their spare time and wish to make a song with this and/or work with me in getting the desired song--though as stated by others here, this just might not be possible and will have to pay or produce this myself years later). And if it happens to be the incorrect song made like the one above, you can decide from there if this just isn't worth your time or is something to actually be perceived in a positive way.
But now I shared my song with a friend, he thought it was catchy and hummed it exactly as it was (he is a skilled singer, so the song was sung as it was with the fixed flaws). And that's what the song is--what is already there I posted up. There is no splitting up into separate pieces or such modifications (like how it sung "acholly jolly mustaveel" with a slowed tempo on "mustaveel," then there was a pause and then it sung the rest of the part). The song is supposed to be what it is (just with the fixed flaws) and is supposed to have the feel of an epic movie trailer with a positive opening/closing heroic tune with it (like a hero who wishes to make others happy while at the same time intense in fighting villans).
Now if you forget everything else that's in my song and just focus on one part (the action part that plays after you first hear this happy tune). And then from there create a tune (a string) that goes along with that action piece that plays, that happy tune would be it (it's again, my singing flaws making it seem completely off). That string is added in with the action piece near the end of the song to indicate that the action (in this case, a movie trailer) has the feel of nearing the end of the trailer (when the action is most intense near the end, after which leading into a calm view of the movie's title/when it will be released). I really do hear this action piece and that tune playing together perfectly in both technical terms and feel in my mind.
What I'm getting is that you have a picture, but can't get it on paper? That's what experimenting is for: to iron out all what the flaws and warts. Work on one part a time. What's happening is analyzing it before writing it instead of just putting and seeing if it works. I also think you're letting the lofty idea get in the way. (ie: This has to definitely be the end result) No, it does not.
And you're think way too big! Nothing wrong it that, but that causes unnecessary stress. I doubt music either listening or creating it was meant to be stressful. If you can't think of anything else, leave and come back (although, I bet you've had this happen. You hear the idea once you leave, but it escapes yo when you come back)
I know it's easy to ask oneself: "How can I make this piece bigger?" OTOH, you ignore the smaller pieces that make up what you currently have. In this case, (as this isn't a sight-reading course), you
can and should look back as that can help jog your memory. Do jot things down though while still looking at things in fragments (ie: What you've done, what you doing, what you wanna do next).
Another thing I've experienced is getting too focused on the notes themselves while there are other aspects that can help determine what they'll be.
A simple broken chord (aka arpeggio). IMO, it's best to figure out the
rhythm/pulse, first. Then, worry about the melodic flow (notes) IOW, decide on the rhythm using a single note. If this rhythm is satisfactory or what you heard, then manipulate the remaining notes.
You have to crawl, before you can walk. But get rid of the descriptions as they will write themselves as you write the song. Deciding on its arrangement.
It's frequently said on the iBM forums that I am apart of, is that in order for one to write a song, one must listen to/study songs in general. How does a baby learn to clap its hands? By studying how you are accomplishing this or other people it may be watching and trying to mimic.
Film composers (since this is what you liken your track to) or just in the general sense, while having alot to think about (moreso than the performer/listener) - needn't stress him/herself and wouldn't if the composition was done in small fragments. Heck, take the fragments and make them into their own songs. I don't mean quite like sonata form (Beet, Haydn, Mozart), but even the entirely of those pieces are fragmented (ie: Beet's No. 5 is divided into four movements, but there's still the overall main idea usually re-occurring in the latter segments).
That's also what you need to do. Develop some kind of form. What will this part be? What was that part? Will I reuse some part? Will I add new ones? Will they connect to previous parts? How will they sound in context to the parts already established? Whether these are arrangements or composition from scratch, these questions need to be asked and answered by the composer or its aid if assisted.
There's so much that goes into this and this could be just the relatively simple pieces, but certainly as they get more and more elaborate. Many if not, everyone wishes he or she could just push the "easy" button, unfortunately; yet, doing such would ruin the fun- of course, one needs to have the right attitude about it. since the problem isn't the problem, but one's attitude towards it.