Damian Varnum
Damian Varnum
  • 51
  • 11 974
Sonata in G Major, Op. 4 No. 11b
This is the final draft of this Sonata, as the due date passed three hours ago. It's been a ton of fun working on this piece, as many of the ideas in it are things I've been working on for months and haven't been able to find a place for. My main inspirations for this piece were Rachmaninoff's Prelude in C#m, Liszt's Consolation No.3 and the music from Bloodborne. The name is a quote from the ending cutscene of the Old Hunters DLC in Bloodborne, which says "Ah, sweet child of Kos returned to the ocean...a bottomless curse, a bottomless sea, accepting of all that there is and can be." Initially, I just wanted a reference as the title and felt that this was fitting, but eventually this ended up being my main inspiration for the piece.
The Old Hunters DLC takes place in a nightmarish recreation of the fictional gothic city of Yharnam, with the latter section of the DLC taking place in a place called the Fishing Hamlet, which is heavily inspired by H.P Lovecraft's "Shadow Over Innsmouth". The Primary Theme reminds me of being on a boat lost out at sea during a storm, with the steady thudding chords being the crashing of waves and the chromatic triplets being the rope of the ship slipping from the hands of the crew. The secondary theme features a more hazy, dreamy, songlike quality to it that's meant to represent the Hunters Dream you see in game. The development theme was a mix of this idea, and another idea I had that was based off oof Liszt's Mazeppa. Really, that part should have all been in 2/2, but I would have to rewrite it and I'm out of time. The rest of the piece are extensions of those ideas.
I'm overall pretty happy with it, although theres much I didn't get to fix in time. I'm going to try and record this over the summer when this semester wraps up. It's been such a busy one between all my classes and work, I haven't had the time to really put as much as I'd like to into any of my projects. Massive thank you to all the advice I've received for this p
zhlédnutí: 1 064

Video

Late Night Improv
zhlédnutí 12Před 14 dny
random late night improv. started with Gm7-Gbmaj7-Dbmaj7, then just explored from there.
Sonata in G Major, Op. 4 No. 11a (Rough Draft)
zhlédnutí 418Před 28 dny
Technically my 4th draft of this piece, though it's fairly similar to my last draft. I'm still working on cutting down it's length, and on making it more rhythmically interesting throughout. I'm thinking of removing some of the parts, so I'm going to release this version of the score almost as a beta test or directors cut or something. Here are some of my plans for the edits: -Fixing accidental...
Slow Dorian Blues Backing Track in Bm
zhlédnutí 34Před měsícem
A Slow blues in B Dorian, same as the other Bm Blues track except this one has piano and the structure is a little different. I'm having fun messing around with these, since I've been so busy between work and school. I have a few other compositions that I'm working on, but one is a pretty large scale piece for my composition class final and the others I just haven't had the time to get to yet.
Dorian Blues Jam in Bm
zhlédnutí 22Před měsícem
Basic blues jam I've been working on. This currently works as a backing track to solo over on piano, guitar, trumpet, etc.
Weird time signature thing
zhlédnutí 2,6KPřed 2 měsíci
This is part of a rhythmic motive assignment I had to do for my composition class. The limitations for this were that it had to be in an odd time signature, and I was limited to the notes A, D and Eb. I totally forgor about the assignment and threw this together an hour before it was due, and it kinda turned into sorta goofy spy music haha. It sounds like you're defusing a bomb in a cute animat...
Prelude in B Major, Op. 4 No. 9b
zhlédnutí 102Před 2 měsíci
Funnily enough, right after I released the "Impressions in B Major", we started talking about Impressionism in my theory class! It's been a lot of fun learning about that style, and as one of the assignments for it we had to compose our own impressionist piece. So, I transcribed snippets from that video and boiled it down to this short form score. If you'd like to hear the full thing, definitel...
Prelude in Gm, Op. 4 No. 10
zhlédnutí 293Před 2 měsíci
Reposting this, I deleted it because I was really unhappy with it as a whole. The readability is piss poor and I didn't really have a grounded theme, it's just a couple unfinished ideas thrown together. I figure I'll still upload it, even if I don't like it, and maybe I'll re-use some of ghese ideas in a new, more refined composition. Also, sorry for the lack of uploads, I have a performance th...
Impressions in B Major, Op. 4 No. 9
zhlédnutí 54Před 3 měsíci
I played this little motif when I was warming up today, where I rolled out a Bmaj9#11 chord, with an octave of B in the bass and C#-E# on the first beat, followed by the 3rd and 7th of D# and A#. I really liked the sound of it, it sounds sorta impressionistic and it reminds me of a forest just after dawn, with the light cascading through the trees and the morning fog still thick in the air. I m...
Prelude in D Minor, Op. 4 No. 8
zhlédnutí 888Před 3 měsíci
This is a short prelude, entirely based on one motif. I really want to improve on motivic development, so my next few pieces are mostly just me messing around with that. Originally I had a B section for this piece and planned on turning it into a sonata, but I think it works well as is. I'll probably use that B section for it's own piece. Anyways, let me know what you think and I hope you enjoy...
Etude No. 7 in F Major, Op. 4 No. 7
zhlédnutí 272Před 3 měsíci
This is another older work that I dug up. I remember the only thing that prevented me from finishing it was coming up with how to transition back to the A theme, so I added that and kept the rest! The original working title for this was "Etude No. 5 in F Major, Op. 2 No. 13". Both 12 and 13 were etudes based on the same idea, crossing between the octaves in the bass and the melody over top in t...
Adagio in Fm, Op. 4 No. 4
zhlédnutí 164Před 3 měsíci
Finally, after almost two whole years, I've managed to transcribe this piece onto Musescore! I've tried in vain to transcribe it over the years but I always ran into issues with how playback differed between the softwares and not knowing how to balance dynamics between the hands in MS. It was originally supposed to be Op. 2 No. 4, and I finished it on 3/19/2022. I tried to leave it mostly unedi...
Prelude in B Major, Op. 4 No. 6, "Tranquillo"
zhlédnutí 71Před 3 měsíci
This is a prelude I originally put together in an app on my phone called Maestro. I have a couple compositions on there I'm trying to transfer over to Musescore and CZcams, but some prove harder than others due to how playback functions on Maestro versus Musescore. One of those compositions, titled Adagio in Fm, was originally supposed to be Op. 2 No. 2 but I haven't been able to transcribe it ...
Waltz in Fm, Op. 4 No. 5
zhlédnutí 387Před 3 měsíci
A short little waltz I composed. I've been trying to push my pieces out, even the if I don't like it that much at the time of release. I saw a clip of John Mayer talking about it and he mentioned that the piece might just be beyond your tastes at that moment, which I definitely agree with. Even the pieces I don't like I often come to enjoy more when I go back and listen to it at a different poi...
Waltz in Gb Major, Op. 4 No. 1
zhlédnutí 124Před 4 měsíci
First composition of the new year! I didn't have a ton of inspiration for this one, I kinda was just trying to see what I could come up with. Hope you enjoy! Fixed the error where chords still play in playback. I didn't realize the chords had their own part I had to manually cut out of the mix.
Ballade No. 5 in B Major, Op. 4 No. 3
zhlédnutí 96Před 4 měsíci
Ballade No. 5 in B Major, Op. 4 No. 3
Rhapsody in G Major, Op. 4 No. 2
zhlédnutí 200Před 4 měsíci
Rhapsody in G Major, Op. 4 No. 2
Nocturne in Bb Major, Op. 3 No. 13
zhlédnutí 180Před 4 měsíci
Nocturne in Bb Major, Op. 3 No. 13
Ballade No. 4, Op. 3 No. 12
zhlédnutí 34Před 4 měsíci
Ballade No. 4, Op. 3 No. 12
Waltz in Db, Op. 3 No. 11
zhlédnutí 91Před 4 měsíci
Waltz in Db, Op. 3 No. 11
Waltz in F#m, Op. 3 No. 10
zhlédnutí 855Před 4 měsíci
Waltz in F#m, Op. 3 No. 10
Nocturne in F Major, Op. 3 No. 9
zhlédnutí 54Před 4 měsíci
Nocturne in F Major, Op. 3 No. 9
Nocturne in C#m, Op. 3 No. 8
zhlédnutí 2,4KPřed 4 měsíci
Nocturne in C#m, Op. 3 No. 8
Etude No. 6 in Eb Major, Op. 3 No. 7
zhlédnutí 34Před 4 měsíci
Etude No. 6 in Eb Major, Op. 3 No. 7
Idea for a song
zhlédnutí 34Před 5 měsíci
Idea for a song
Beautiful Love - Victor Young Reharm
zhlédnutí 57Před 5 měsíci
Beautiful Love - Victor Young Reharm
Moderato in A, Op. 3 No. 6, "Biding My Time
zhlédnutí 25Před 5 měsíci
Moderato in A, Op. 3 No. 6, "Biding My Time
Ballade No. 3 in Eb, Op. 3 No. 5
zhlédnutí 68Před 5 měsíci
Ballade No. 3 in Eb, Op. 3 No. 5
Nocturne in A Minor, Op. 3 No. 4
zhlédnutí 70Před 7 měsíci
Nocturne in A Minor, Op. 3 No. 4
Ballade No. 2, Op. 3 No. 3
zhlédnutí 261Před 10 měsíci
Ballade No. 2, Op. 3 No. 3

Komentáře

  • @Whatismusic123
    @Whatismusic123 Před dnem

    I love musical schizo posting

  • @Whatismusic123
    @Whatismusic123 Před dnem

    yikes

  • @ibaimartinituino7291

    I love this one, I like the polirhythmic feel it has with the low notes in triplets and the melody in 16th notes. Definitely one of my favorites :)

  • @ibaimartinituino7291

    I just discovered your channel and I wandered a bit through your music, and this is so far my favourite piece! keep going! :)

    • @DamianVarnum
      @DamianVarnum Před 7 dny

      Thank you for checking out my music! Im really glad some of it could resonate with you! I've only been composing and playing piano for 3 years, so I've got a ton of growing to do. The support means a ton, I really appreciate it!

  • @ibaimartinituino7291

    Where is the Op. 1?

    • @DamianVarnum
      @DamianVarnum Před 7 dny

      Im so glad somebody finally asked this question!! When I first started composing, I started like 10 different pieces titled "Op. 1 No. X) and couldn't finish a single one. When I finally finished my first composition, I titled it Op. 2 No. 1 and thought itd be funny if I just kept going with that. TLDR: Technically Op. 2 is Op. 1, Op. 1 not exististing is an inside joke I've kept running. I also group each opus by year, and this conveniently lines up with 2022, 2023 and 2024. Thank you for your support, and for giving my stuff a listen!

  • @estebanparedes3319
    @estebanparedes3319 Před 8 dny

    Una obra sin duda muy ambiciosa, te felicito por finalizar una sonata para piano, sin embargo te sugeriria lo siguiente: 1. Analizar obras para piano, entender porque el compositor hizo lo que hizo. 2. Componer sobre el piano, esto te ayudará a crearte lo que yo llamo "intuición pianística" además que todo será pianistico y posible, ya que musescore no puede reproducir rubatos, o interpretar. 3. Estudiar contrapunto y armonia sin duda ayuda. 4. Analizar como los compositores desarrollaron su propio estilo propio con el paso del tiempo, un ejemplo claro seria Scriabin, como fue que pasó de ser conocido como "El chopin ruso" a tener un estilo en (mi opinión) de los más reconocibles y únicos. Este punto es para que puedas crear tu estilo propio. Muchos éxitos, estoy muy dispuesto a ayudarte y responderte cualquier consulta.

  • @ramongarciaparra9865

    Me alegra que aún haya gente componiendo este tipo de obras, espero que llegues lejos

  • @jhonygarcia996
    @jhonygarcia996 Před 9 dny

    Que obra tan maravillosa, apasionada y llena de delirio!

  • @MiScusi69
    @MiScusi69 Před 9 dny

    Great composition!

  • @alali2885
    @alali2885 Před 9 dny

    maybe a bit too disonant for me but overall very interesting ideas ✌️ liked it

    • @MiScusi69
      @MiScusi69 Před 9 dny

      Too dissonant?! There are dissonances, but they're not that contrasting or many. I'd say they're very tasteful.

  • @TristinBailey
    @TristinBailey Před 10 dny

    Very nice. Looking forward to a potential acoustic performance.

  • @TristinBailey
    @TristinBailey Před 14 dny

    Very chromatic, very calming. Well done.

  • @a.bradford7637
    @a.bradford7637 Před 15 dny

    glad you're uploading some live improv!!🎉 feels very enchanting -like wandering through an old, abandoned castle

  • @hooman9554
    @hooman9554 Před 27 dny

    Strange piece. Nice 👏

  • @luden6794
    @luden6794 Před 28 dny

    Никогда не думал, что смогу услышать атональность в рамках тональной гармонии

  • @Alik_msk
    @Alik_msk Před 28 dny

    Молодец, это прям гениально вышло. Единственное что пугает, вы используйте очень широкий диапазон и как эти вещи лягут на тнве инструменты не понятно. То есть не понятно как оно будет звучать , если скажем басовую партию поднять на октаву выше? ((

  • @DamianVarnum
    @DamianVarnum Před 29 dny

    [Current Song Form] (Intro: 0:00-0:12) (Exposition: 0:13-3:11) P1: 0:13-0:31 (Gm) P2: 0:32-1:32 (Bbm-Gm) S1: 1:33-1:58 (Ab) S2: 1:59-2:20 S1': 2:21-3:11 (B) (Development: 3:12-4:55) 7/8 Allegro Theme: 3:12-3:30 (C#m, sequences) P1 Transformation/Grandioso: 3:31-4:07 (D) Molto Appasionata: 4:08-4:55 (F#, Bm) (Re-Capitulation: 4:56-5:51) P1: 4:56-5:15 (Gm) P2: 5:16-5:34 S1: 5:35-5:51 (Gm) (Forgot to add S2 to bridge the gap, it would go here) (Ending: 5:52-6:52) (G)

  • @user-qb3ki5ki1h
    @user-qb3ki5ki1h Před měsícem

    “you can’t use locrian with an odd time signature” this guy:

  • @drumming_cat
    @drumming_cat Před měsícem

    I would probably just group the 16th notes into groups of 3 and 4 as that will make it much clearer to read

    • @DamianVarnum
      @DamianVarnum Před měsícem

      I threw this together in 15m for an assignment, I didn't really care about readability. The guidelines were that it had to be in an odd time with unusual accents, only using the notes A, D and Eb. I'd like write it as that otherwise, but this got me my 15 points man 🤣

  • @johnnytheyoungmaestro
    @johnnytheyoungmaestro Před měsícem

    This sounds awesome! Fantastic job! :)

  • @CrockUBot
    @CrockUBot Před 2 měsíci

    I also struggle with making interesting melodies

  • @brunopereiralima8785
    @brunopereiralima8785 Před 2 měsíci

    If the lower notes were played in a electric bass and the higher notes sounded like those heartbeat thingies in The hospital, that would be Fire!!!!

  • @Skyhawk_78
    @Skyhawk_78 Před 2 měsíci

    This is the perfect time signature for a bowser fight lmao

  • @NicolasPL_
    @NicolasPL_ Před 2 měsíci

    Sick

  • @pinkbirock343
    @pinkbirock343 Před 2 měsíci

    this makes me uncomfortable

  • @MiScusi69
    @MiScusi69 Před 2 měsíci

    Very cool and unique rhythm!

  • @DamianVarnum
    @DamianVarnum Před 2 měsíci

    Here are the timestamps for each section. A: 0:00-1:20 B: 1:21-2:35 C: 2:36-3:38 D: 3:39-4:42 A': 4:43-5:40 Coda: 5:41-6:11

  • @kwon0817
    @kwon0817 Před 2 měsíci

    The piece is great overall! However that Allegro theme is genuinely phenomenal and I wished there was just a whole sonata deticated to that motif haha. I understand it's for consistency, but maybe have some more rhythmic variation in the left hand so its not just thuds in half notes over and over again. Also if the middle voice had more leading tones that are off rhythm, i think itd further add to the jazzy feel. Great job though!

    • @DamianVarnum
      @DamianVarnum Před 2 měsíci

      Thank you so much! Thats a great idea too, some rhythmic variation in the left hand would sound awesome! The Allegro theme was supposed to be its own Sonata before I threw it in this, so maybe I can add some of that variation and syncopated leading tones when I do that! Thank you so much for the advice, and for checking my stuff out!

  • @Harrieum_
    @Harrieum_ Před 2 měsíci

    Hi, I'm the one who commented on this score on Musescore! I have checked your other musical compositions, they are pretty nice, ngl. Keep up your good work!

    • @DamianVarnum
      @DamianVarnum Před 2 měsíci

      Dude no way! Thank you so much for your support, it was your comment that encouraged me to re-upload this haha. I appreciate you a ton!

  • @DamianVarnum
    @DamianVarnum Před 2 měsíci

    @TristinBailey I saw your original feedback for this when I first posted it, thank you for taking so much time to give me advice. I'll keep it in mind on future compositions, I really don't like this one and I don't really want to go back and spend more time on it. I might re-use some of these themes, so I'll adjust it then. Thank you again

    • @TristinBailey
      @TristinBailey Před 2 měsíci

      Sorry if I upset you, I may have gone a bit overboard. Good luck with your future projects.

    • @DamianVarnum
      @DamianVarnum Před 2 měsíci

      ​@@TristinBailey Thanks man! You didn't upset me, I was upset with myself. I know I can do better, and it felt like I was pumping out quality over quantity. Someone actually found the score on the Musescore website and had the same advice as you, which encouraged me to repost it 😂

    • @DamianVarnum
      @DamianVarnum Před 2 měsíci

      ​@@TristinBaileyOh as as for the fermatas, it was in an attempt to add rubato to the musescore playback. The rest is just hasty transcribing on my part trying to get idea out. I really appreciate the advice man, I love your style and you give great pointers and direction that helps me a ton when composing.

  • @gaboelexo
    @gaboelexo Před 3 měsíci

    Really good job, it could work as a longer piece, but it stands as its own also ❤

  • @enisatallah8
    @enisatallah8 Před 3 měsíci

    Don’t know what to think about it

  • @Lavirfra
    @Lavirfra Před 3 měsíci

    Awesome work!

  • @TristinBailey
    @TristinBailey Před 3 měsíci

    I think this piece could benefit from some clef changes. A lot of the right hand arpeggios are in a comfortable bass clef range, and the top staff would be a bit less cluttered if the bottom staff switched between bass and treble while still getting across that the melody is in the left hand.

    • @DamianVarnum
      @DamianVarnum Před 3 měsíci

      Oh dude great idea! I'll update the score on the Musescore website and post the link in the description. Thank you for your advice man, I really appreciate the guidance. I'm self taught so far and theres a lot of holes I need help with. Im taking a composition class this semester so hopefully I'll get some experience there!

    • @TristinBailey
      @TristinBailey Před 3 měsíci

      @@DamianVarnum I'm looking forward to seeing what you do with the formal education. Good luck.

  • @arobertowen
    @arobertowen Před 3 měsíci

    Sounding nice!

  • @arobertowen
    @arobertowen Před 4 měsíci

    Nice composition! I really like those F#m to B major chords - creates a really nice nostalgic feel!

  • @colbygagnebin
    @colbygagnebin Před 4 měsíci

    Inspiring.

  • @DamianVarnum
    @DamianVarnum Před 4 měsíci

    Aw damn it happened again 😂. Ive been having this issue where the chord symbols play, even though I unchecked it on the playback on the save before I published it. Do you know to remedy that by chance? I use musescore 4 Thank you man! I really appreciate it :)

    • @TristinBailey
      @TristinBailey Před 3 měsíci

      I've never really used the chord symbols, I normally just have textboxes everywhere that I delete before publishing. I hope you find a solution.

    • @DamianVarnum
      @DamianVarnum Před 3 měsíci

      @@TristinBailey I ended up finding out that when you add chord symbols, it adds a separate instrument to the mix that plays them. I had to manually mute it in the mix before publishing.

  • @TristinBailey
    @TristinBailey Před 4 měsíci

    It sounds like there are a bunch of unwritten notes being played on the downbeats of the first few measures. Regardless, the piece sounds good.

  • @piapattaravade
    @piapattaravade Před 4 měsíci

    Very nice sharing 🙏👍😊

  • @AwKeShen.
    @AwKeShen. Před 4 měsíci

    Cool Piece! Maybe I can suggest adding octave lines to some parts of the rh for score readability.

  • @TristinBailey
    @TristinBailey Před 4 měsíci

    2:18 The b# half-diminished makes more sense than c half-diminished since you are in c# minor, not db minor. Nice piece. I don't hear parallelism as often in music like this, so it's neat to hear it here.

  • @mauromaurotti
    @mauromaurotti Před 4 měsíci

    Beautiful! Follow for follow?

  • @DamianVarnum
    @DamianVarnum Před 4 měsíci

    Thank you! I've gotten that note from my professors a ton this semester too during forums and juries 🤣. Getting better at pedaling is definitely a goal for this year! Thank you for the feedback, I really appreciate it and it helps a ton :)

  • @LeanneHolloway-cy2uo
    @LeanneHolloway-cy2uo Před 4 měsíci

    I think the pedal is a bit excessive, makes the harmony seem very muddy. besides that the piece is wonderful.

  • @LeanneHolloway-cy2uo
    @LeanneHolloway-cy2uo Před 4 měsíci

    my favorite of your waltzes so far. I love the harmony and the polyrhythms edit: were you inspired by chopin?

    • @DamianVarnum
      @DamianVarnum Před 4 měsíci

      Thank you so much! Chopin and Liszt are two big inspirations of mine, and I've really taken to the polyrhythms between the melody and accompaniment after learning Chopin's Nocturne in E Minor. When the melody and accompaniment stagger in that piece, it always hits me deep in the heart. I've been trying to do more of that. Thank you for giving my compositions a listen!

    • @LeanneHolloway-cy2uo
      @LeanneHolloway-cy2uo Před 4 měsíci

      @@DamianVarnum Of course! Composers gotta support each other.

  • @DamianVarnum
    @DamianVarnum Před 5 měsíci

    I'll have to re-upload, its silent after the repeat for some reason

  • @rlawrence9838
    @rlawrence9838 Před 5 měsíci

    That was pretty swell.

  • @marknutt7841
    @marknutt7841 Před 10 měsíci

    I liked the piece! I thought it was nice to listen to. Is there a reason this isn’t in 6/8? Then the half notes would be replaced with quarters, and the triplets would be replaced with eighth/sixteenth notes instead of these quarter note triplet stuff.

    • @DamianVarnum
      @DamianVarnum Před 10 měsíci

      Thank you man! I was thinking that too but I didn't catch it until after I posted it. When I was improvising and later composing on the theme, my thinking started with the cut time left hand part. Would be much more readable in 6/8 and that's certainly how it's felt. Thank you man, I really appreciate the feedback and the listen!