Hey all, just registered so thought I might want to introduce myself:

I'm Arjen, 20 years old, and have been playing piano for just over a year or so. Been looking around for a proper piano forum since I'm loaded with stupid questions and it seems I ended up here. Anyway, hello to everyone, merry christmas and looking forward to a great time here!

For those interested, here\'s a little tune
I put together. Can't record myself playing until I get a proper instrument which actually allows for dynamics so had to program it all in, my apologies for that.

hi! interesting composition. is this new age music?

No idea really what new age music is, but I'm not really into the entire new age movement itself. As to what music it is, no clue again. I think it is safe to say it is a piano instrumental, but I'm not that good in labeling stuff. I dumped it in 'contemporary classical' on soundclick but I have truly no idea if that's where it should be.

And thanks for the welcome.

Welcome! I'm fairly new also - just since Nov. Your ahead of me on knowing how to record something. I don't have the know how or anything to record as far as I can tell unless there's something that came with my computer I'm not aware of. But I want to learn how and figure all that out. It seems like a daunting task.
I'll have to listen to your recording a little later but am interested. Welcome again.

Thanks for the welcome! If you have some questions about how to get a decent sounding recording (either by recording yourself playing or by programming it in) just drop me a PM. Learning to play is a lot harder then learning to record, atleast that's my experience.

Welcome Arjen, the more the merrier.

Also, I like your piece; it's pretty and kind of relaxing.

Which software did you use. Please share.
I am also unable to post recordings since I don't have the proper equipment. However, the instrument sound in your music is quite convincing. If it's synthesized, what's the software?

I first wrote the piece in Sibelius 4 (I can send the sheet music if anyone cares) indicating basic dynamics for each 'section'.Then I used creative soundfonts (I believe sampled from a Roland digital piano, pretty basic freeware sample anyway) to turn the midi into something musical, that's about it.

What I'm doing right now is export the Sibelius notation to midi, load it in Cubase SX3 and send the midi track to Steinberg The Grand 2, works even better but I only got that setup since very recently, no full song made that way yet.

If you don't have proper VST instruments or a Creative soundcard (I believe soundfonts dont run on anything but creative cards) I wouldn't mind running your compositions through my system at all.

Thanks for the kind words!

Thanks for the info Arjen.
I'll look into the creative soundfonts.
When I'm done with what I'm doing now I might take you up on your offer.

Arjen,

How do you like Sibelius 4? I have been considering it. I just got a home computer this Spring for the first time ever and have been in the "dark ages" for so long I have a lot of catching up to learn even the basics. But one of the things I always planned on doing when I got a computer is get software for notation and hook up my old keyboard. I wish I could get a better keyboard but that would be a long time coming. Some others mentioned Noteworthy on another thread. Have you had any experience with that? Maybe I'll be asking you for some help or advice. Appreciate the offer.

Sarabande: Nope, no experience with Noteworthy at all but I love sibelius. Making a basic score is as easy as it gets and it has so many features I have no idea what else I could want. I believe they have a few demo clips to show you what the program is able to and how it works at the official site . If you have any questions about it just ask.

Allazart: sure, anytime you like. Check this site for a whole bunch of freeware soundfonts, got mine from there.

Dear Arjen,
I'm not very techie so I wasn't able to
easily hear your music..but look forward to
it when I can get my husband to help me.
I have a friend in the Cleveland, Ohio area
who attends Dutch events on a regular basis and
has several Dutch friends.
I've been to Amsterdam once, but before you were
born!
I just joined this week too, so welcome...
its fun to find kindred spirits in here.
I like to channel "new age" style music so
I do look forward to hearing what you've done.

Hanna,

Hello&welcome to you as well. I'm really not up-to-date when it comes to musical genres so I rarely have an idea what genres like 'new age' actually mean, let alone what genre my music belongs to.

If you keep having problems with listening to my stuff feel free to PM me, I can mail it to you or upload it to some other place. And if you have some music of your own feel free to post it around, we can't have enough music.

Dear Arjen,
New Age generally is music listened to by
folks who like metaphysics...its kind of a soft
jazz, easy-listening mix.
Yanni, Enya, music that has whales in the
background or other nature sounds, soothing
music to do massage and meditation with...
things like that. On Cable TV here in the
US its called: "Soundscapes:.
I was really tired last night and not in
the head space to work out the details.
When my head is more clear, I'll give your
music a good try, and then let you know if
I can't access it. I don't do Instant
Messaging either!
Nevertheless, Happy New Year!

Dear Arjen,
New Age generally is music listened to by
folks who like metaphysics...its kind of a soft
jazz, easy-listening mix.
Yanni, Enya, music that has whales in the
background or other nature sounds, soothing
music to do massage and meditation with...
things like that. On Cable TV here in the
US its called: "Soundscapes:.
I was really tired last night and not in
the head space to work out the details.
When my head is more clear, I'll give your
music a good try, and then let you know if
I can't access it. I don't do Instant
Messaging either!
Nevertheless, Happy New Year!