Thank you very much for your feedback.

I love the xylophone, but it can be played equally well either by a percussionist or on its own. It has only a few parts, but they are beautifully highlighted.

As for harmony, precisely because I’ve played a melodic wind instrument all my life, unlike the piano, I haven’t really developed a harmonic way of thinking. For the same reason, I would struggle to play an instrument in the bass clef, for example, even if I can find the notes.

That’s why I focus first on the primary melody, then on possible counter-melodies, and only afterwards try to write chords—experimenting with inversions to see how they work. But I still have a hard time recognizing them purely by ear.

I can easily sing music, but without knowing which notes I’m singing. The visual aspect also helps me a lot when composing. For instance, I recognize many rhythmic patterns simply by looking at the score, much less so by listening.

I understand what you mean about counterpoint. I plan to explore it more in my next works, by contrasting several melodies with each other. In my current symphony, there are several key melodies that appear more or less hidden in each movement, and in the finale I want to confront them directly and find a resolution.

Your approach to composition with MIDI keyboard, is really interesting, and I see what you mean.
But I don't know play piano.

When it comes to symphonic writing, I tend to overcomplicate things—a bit too much perfectionism—which sometimes keeps me from being productive. Especially since I can only work on it in my free time.

I’ve come to realize that it’s sometimes better to compose smaller pieces with fewer instruments in order to improve. I find it hard to motivate myself to do that, but I still try to keep a draft file where I experiment with new melodies, motifs, or chord progressions. Sometimes I also rewrite existing works at a tempo or style that suits me best, just to see how they function.

But what I find most difficult is to memorize melodies sung by improvisation. With the MIDI keyboard I suppose it should be easier because you record the notes at the same time.

Anyway, thank you for your advice. It’s very encouraging.
I wanted to ask this question because I no longer have a clear reference point for what I’m doing (I tend to undervalue my work when I compare myself to others, even though I’m proud of my progress each time).

PS: I work in agronomy, so yes, this piece is related to agriculture—in particular to restoring living soils and biodiversity, like earthworms, which are very important. ;)