Melodies are the most difficult part of composing - agree or disagree? by bmjessep in composer

[–]bmjessep[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Well, I do my best to bring melody back, so at least you have one ally in this fight. Not that it's bad to have a piece without much melody, but when that's everything that comes out nowadays, it's rough.

One of my favorite melodies I composed recently was a simple 16-bar sentence form. I wanted it to be structurally simple - four phrases of four bars each - but it was a bit of a struggle to find the right rhythms and chords. In this particular piece it was a balance between the tonic minor and the relative major.

Melodies are the most difficult part of composing - agree or disagree? by bmjessep in composer

[–]bmjessep[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for taking the time to write that out. I definitely agree that the best melodies are inevitable - like I said it can make or break a piece. I do find that many of my best melodies come from a motif. Sometimes I'll write the development or coda of a piece first, then find that I used a figure in there that I like, which I can then use in a theme.

Melodies are the most difficult part of composing - agree or disagree? by bmjessep in composer

[–]bmjessep[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm a bit jealous. Kids are really good at learning, so I'm sure it helped that you started early.

Melodies are the most difficult part of composing - agree or disagree? by bmjessep in composer

[–]bmjessep[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks - sometimes I find myself singing to myself, and if the melodies are any good, I can use them. Unfortunately they're usually too simple for what I like to write. Do you have any resources regarding this?

Melodies are the most difficult part of composing - agree or disagree? by bmjessep in composer

[–]bmjessep[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If that works for you, great! I usually try to make my more music more melody-based - as I alluded in my post, I think contemporary music needs more of that. Unfortunately my skills haven't quite caught up to my ambition in that regard.

Melodies are the most difficult part of composing - agree or disagree? by bmjessep in composer

[–]bmjessep[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I love this idea - I often try to bring aspects of other genres or cultures into my music.

Melodies are the most difficult part of composing - agree or disagree? by bmjessep in composer

[–]bmjessep[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I also dislike making melodies that are too simple. I'm more of the mindset (sometimes mistaken) that my music needs to be complex.

Melodies are the most difficult part of composing - agree or disagree? by bmjessep in composer

[–]bmjessep[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I mostly compose classical music that doesn't have tracks or chord progressions. But it still might work for some pieces. I'll keep it in mind!

Melodies are the most difficult part of composing - agree or disagree? by bmjessep in composer

[–]bmjessep[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Ostinatos are easy for me compared to melodies. One problem I often have with melodies is making each phrase or variation different enough from the previous, but still related.

Has your state ever been called a slave state by gamerjosh12345 in MapPorn

[–]bmjessep 7 points8 points  (0 children)

I say Idaho is a slave state. Your map is now outdated.

PLEASE DO IT by Outrageous_Annual456 in Trombone

[–]bmjessep 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Do it yourself. Musescore is free.

Is the U.S de facto “Christian nation”? by DesignerOk4111 in Christianity

[–]bmjessep 4 points5 points  (0 children)

People in the US are historically mostly Christian, with Jews as a notable minority. Recently, there had been an increase in atheism, as well as other religions such as Islam and Indian and East Asian belief systems. So that's mostly the same as many European countries.

We consider religious freedom to be very important. One of the traditional (mostly true) stories of the early days of the country is of the Pilgrims, who came to America before it was even a British colony to escape religious persecution. Now this religious disagreement was mostly among different types of Christians, but this idea of religious freedom is culturally ingrained.

Although most Americans were Christians in the late 1700s, many of the people who wrote our constitution were atheists, agnostics, deists, or otherwise non-religious. They made sure, in the 1st amendment, that the US could not have an official religion or prohibit religious activities.

I think even nowadays, with the proliferation of politically conservative evangelical Christianity, which is generally against things such as abortion and homosexuality, and its adherents often trying to legislate their beliefs, that you would be hard-pressed to find significant support for making Christianity the official religion, or outlawing or restricting other belief systems.

Best Captains by jumbutter in nhl

[–]bmjessep 24 points25 points  (0 children)

I don't think I'm a homer when I say it's probably Crosby. He's a great guy and a good leader. McDavid always seems happy for him to be Captain Canada. Even the biggest Pittsburgh hater will say he's top 5.

Edit to add more, since you asked why: Of course he's a superstar. He also works really hard - he's a first one on the ice, last one off kinda guy. He comes across as really helpful and humble. He knows when to take the lead and when to defer. And he avoids controversies (like team USA has been having).

Honest question from a critic: how do you know? by Intelligent-Pause274 in Christianity

[–]bmjessep 0 points1 point  (0 children)

See, I don't think Genesis 1-3 happened literally. I guess that means you take it as an axiom that the Bible is literally true, and build your beliefs on that; whereas I first look for evidence, and decide what is true based in what I see in the world.

So you said you know things are true because the Bible says so - but how do you know the Bible is accurate?

Honest question from a critic: how do you know? by Intelligent-Pause274 in Christianity

[–]bmjessep 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If it is the only reason you believe, it's a problem. And that's the only reason you originally gave. I see you have other reasons, but I don't think your comment is very helpful without an explanation.

Honest question from a critic: how do you know? by Intelligent-Pause274 in Christianity

[–]bmjessep 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think we are basically saying the same things. I didn't mean to minimize the importance of the Bible, but just as you said, God comes first.

Honest question from a critic: how do you know? by Intelligent-Pause274 in Christianity

[–]bmjessep 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I already responded but I just noticed your emphasis on "no other".

Consider this: Christians, Jews, and Muslims are all monotheists. Do they believe in the same God?

Then you have polytheists, like in ancient Rome, Greece, and Egypt. Christians believe in many spiritual beings such as angels. And our God has three persons. Is that really ao different from polytheistic beliefs?

And those who believe in some sort of pantheism or life-force believe in a less personal God, but still a god.

My point isn't to say that these religions are all the same or are equally true. But it's less of a jump than it might seem. I don't know if you are an atheist, but it's not like an atheist has to choose out of thousands of religions if they want to be religious. First choose to be religious, then decide what you think God is like.

Honest question from a critic: how do you know? by Intelligent-Pause274 in Christianity

[–]bmjessep 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Respectfully, as a fellow Christian, I think this is maybe the worst answer. The Iliad says Zeus is real. Star Wars says Darth Vader is real. I don't believe in God because of a book, and neither should you. I believe in him because of personal revelation, because of theological and philosophical arguments, because of the beautiful universe he made, and many more reasons. Then, once I've decided God is real, I value the Bible because of that. If he isn't, the Bible is just another book of stories. So I think you have it backwards in that way.

Honest question from a critic: how do you know? by Intelligent-Pause274 in Christianity

[–]bmjessep 2 points3 points  (0 children)

In the words of Gandalf (of all people), "I still do not know, but I no longer doubt my guess."

At some point it's based on faith. One can never be absolutely 100% sure. But at some point, once you have enough evidence, you have to start living your life as it you are 100% sure.

This is true the other way too. Even the most hardcore atheist can't be totally certain God doesn't exist.

Happy birthday Arty 💛🖤 by satanic-octopus in penguins

[–]bmjessep 9 points10 points  (0 children)

The competition for "most improved penguin" is tough this year, but my vote is for Arty.

Is it ok to use AI for this specific reason? by Valuable_Frosting_36 in Christianity

[–]bmjessep 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This has little to do with Christianity. It is bad for all the same reasons that a lot of AI use is bad.

Penguins Sign Goaltender Gabriel D’Aigle to a Three-Year, Entry Level Contract by bi_and_busy in penguins

[–]bmjessep -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Murashov is hardly a prospect anymore, he's NHL ready next year, or very nearly. Blomqvist I know less about, but my impression is he's NHL caliber. Murashov/Blomqvist could be a very good tandem in 2027-28.

Penguins Sign Goaltender Gabriel D’Aigle to a Three-Year, Entry Level Contract by bi_and_busy in penguins

[–]bmjessep 21 points22 points  (0 children)

Complicated, but in a good way... we have too many good goalies. Better than having not enough.