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Aloha everyone,
I know that waltzes are in 3/4, so I decided to give it a shot. If I've broken any rules for waltzes, please let me know, as I've never attempted to write one before. This tune kind of sounded familiar, as if I've heard it somewhere else before, and being that I don't want to write something written before and claim credit for it, I used Shazam to see if it was in their database. It wasn't, so I think I'm good. I really, really like G minor, for some reason, but this one has you work on playing two notes with the same finger, on different strings. For example you'll play a C on the A string, followed by the F on the D string. Later, you'll play that same F on the D string and the B flat on the G string. Those are not easy for me, so I put them in there intentionally. Still, it is a very nice tune and I hope y'all like it as much as I do.
I had a pretty hard time deciding on the name for this one, what with so many waltzes out there already. Names such as Twilight, Moonlight, Full Moon, Half Moon, etc... were already taken, so I decided to call it the Departure Waltz. I've read that lots of fiddle festivals end with a waltz, so I was thinking that this could be a waltz played just before everyone departed. I half think it's still a dorky name, but it's what I'm going with now.
Honorary tenured advisor
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Very nice melody. However, when writing music it is important to keep in mind that many, if not most, forms of music accompany dance. With that in mind, the time signature of a song doesn't come close to telling the whole story of the rhythm of songs written for dancers.
The waltz is a good example of this. Originally it developed in Germany, in the 18th century, where it was called the Waltzer, which means revolving or spinning. It spread from Germany to France, then England and later to the U. S. It was considered by many to be vulgar and scandalous (in the same way twirking is today), because it was the first dance where men put their hands on a woman's waist while dancing.
Time signatures give a clue as to the rhythm, but there is an element referred to as "swing" which must be considered and refers to beats that are not the same length as the other beats in a measure, even though looking at the sheet music one can not tell that. This is most evident when listening to a Viennese waltz which has a distinctly "Ooooom Pah Pah" sound, where the first note of the 3 is emphasized and slightly longer than the two following notes. The best way to get a feel for any genre of music is to listen to it. Here's some examples of the Waltz beat.
A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort. ~Herm Albright
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Aloha @Uzi,
Thanks for your response. This was my first attempt at writing a waltz, and while aware of the emphasis on the first beat, wasn't sure how to write that in. @RosinedUp also pointed that out, so I looked in MuseScore and the only marking that makes their recording to that is a sforzando over the notes for the first beat of each measure. I don't know if that's the right marking to actually use, but the recording came out sounding "right".
Thank you for the information you provided. That will stand me in good stead in the future. I had the tune in my head, but I should actually research the type of dance before I commit to one type over another.
I have to tell you, this is probably the one tune I hold above all the others. I could listen to this all day. I really love this tune.
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You are a regular Mozart iBud. LOL
I look forward to hearing you perform some of these on your fiddle. 
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
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@iBud, again, I think the song has a really beautiful melody. If I were to classify it as a song type though (based upon its rhythm,) I'd be more inclined to refer to it as a "slow air."
The only point I was trying to make is that all waltzes are 3/4 time, but not all 3/4 songs are waltzes. The only indication (there is none in the way the song is transcribed) that a song should be played is a waltz, is that it's called a waltz. That means to a musician that it's going to have that more or less (oooom pah pah) rhythm when it's played and the dancers will, for example, take long step, side step, close, long step, side step, close.
There are many Celtic songs for example in 3/4 time, and often the transcription will say "waltz," because of the software used to create the transcription assumes that 3/4 time signature is a waltz, but generally they actually are slow airs. Some other 3/4 songs that aren't waltzes for example, are Jimmi Hendrix', "Manic Depression" and Metallica's, "Nothing Else Matters." Both are fine 3/4 time songs, but not waltzes.
A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort. ~Herm Albright
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Aloha again @Uzi,
No worries. As I mentioned, I've never even attempted to write a waltz before, so I went in blind. I've played all kinds of music on the piano, but never worried about why is was called this or that. I just played because I really enjoyed playing the pieces (except etudes, because they were intentionally hard pieces, as the composer wanted to work on one or more really difficult things).
I'll look up slow air. I wouldn't normally write in 3/4, as I prefer 6/8 (I know, really kind of like 3/4 with a different name). I'm learning all kinds of stuff here at Fiddlerman.com and I welcome any and all responses. I'll probably have to go back and rename it, but that's OK. I want to be correct, not only in naming convention, but actual song style.
The more I'm here, the more I learn. Thanks again for your responses.
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Aloha again @Uzi,
I watched your video and remember playing a lot of Strauss, who I considered the master of the waltz. Playing one is much different than writing one. I haven't yet added accompaniment, so the style of this tune will definitely change once that happens. I've been on a roll as of late and haven't had time to think of accompaniment. I'll still look up airs to see if fits what I have in mind. Thank you for the video. It really does contain some very beautiful pieces in it. Actually much more beautiful than anything I can think up. It was really nice listening to it.
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Fiddlerman said
You are a regular Mozart iBud. LOL
I look forward to hearing you perform some of these on your fiddle.
Aloha @Fiddlerman,
Thank you for your kind words. This process started out as me trying to utilize the full range of 1st position (Composition #1 is a very good example of that), and it gradually morphed into a creation of "etudes" where I would include something very hard to me, then went on to just some very nice tunes with patterns that I like.
Of course, I can write much better than I can play, but I'm working on that. I would like to perform my own work, and I'll keep you up to date on my progress.
Really, if only I were a modern Mozart. Then I could quit my job, move back to the States (somewhere in the South), and concentrate only on music, that is music that people really enjoy. Right now, my stuff is a little on the slow side, most likely because that's where I am. I would like to create a lot of "foot stomping" music - really lively stuff and makes you want to get up and dance until the cows come home. I've only been playing for three months a few days, and it's really amazing how far I've come, primarily due to the energy, excitement, desire, and esprit de corps I get from the community here. Thanks again for this site. When i next get to Tampa, I'll have to see about getting over your way - it's not that far to go, as nothing's really that far in Florida. By then, hopefully, I'll be much better.
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I liked your composition ... very beautiful.
I think it is cool that your are learning "the rules" and writing different music.
Good feed back from the forum too!
Very happy for you, and keep it up. It is VERY impressive.
Cheers and Aloha!!
Vibrato Desperato.... Desperately seeking vibrato
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Aloha again everyone,
I have added my first accompaniment. I may end up tweaking it a little bit, but this arrangement sounds more like a waltz than just the violin part by itself. I've included the sheet music as well as the mp3 file. Should anyone want just the violin sheet music and/or just the piano mp3 file, let me know. I have sheet music and mp3 files for both instruments, as well as for each instrument individually. Enjoy!
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