A new piece for strings
I have today uploaded a new piece for string orchestra to http://www.soundcloud.com The link is
I started this back in mid-August and have worked on it on and off. It wasn’t quite what I thought would be my next composition but as is the way with these things it wanted to go a certain way and so I went with it.
The main folklike melody (A) is hinted at in the intro before a dark waltz (B) takes over. The folk melody is then heard and then it leads to an extended contrasting C section where a hint of the folk tune appears but with the rhythmic pulse suspended for a few bars. The dark waltz returns for an extended expression, with a key-change half-way before the music breaks down into a D section which hints at the folk tune in a deformed state. This leads to a full reprise of the A section with the lower strings playing a counter-melody.
I hope you enjoy listening to it – the duration is about 8 minutes.
Rikky Rooksby's site 
Very nice! Did you play this yourself or arrange the samples? Very nice arrnangement, it sounds really good! I have some of your books, and I am planning on buying more. I am interested in learning about counterpoint, I will check your arranging book for that. The songs for keyboards book has been very helpful with the differnet combination for left and right hands. I am looking to get deeper into the theory behind it. Please feel free to suggest which book I should get next. I use keyboard and not guitar for now.
November 21, 2017 at 1:18 pm
Hello Brian, thanks for your comment. The music is Sibelius notation system playing the Vienna Symphonic Library string libraries. I’m glad you’ve found the books helpful. The Arrangements book doesn’t have any information on counterpoint in it. The book’s focus is choice of instruments in recording songs. My other books are guitar-focused. Best wishes, Rikky Rooksby
November 21, 2017 at 2:03 pm
Rikky, I have now bought 2 copies of “Melody…Tunes” both of which were said to include an accompanying CD, each book from a different source. Yet, both cd’s were scissored thru. I am working on my keyboarding but could really use the help the cd would provide. Can you help?
November 21, 2017 at 8:36 pm
Hello Ken, I’m sorry you’ve had this experience, which is new to me. I wonder whether these copies were secondhand or remaindered, and that rendering the CD useless is the equivalent to the publishing practice of ripping out title pages (which I have seen). I’m assuming you’re in the US. Can I suggest you email the publisher Hal Leonard and ask them about it as I don’t keep spare copies of the CD. The files might now be online anyway. Best wishes, Rikky Rooksby
November 22, 2017 at 1:57 pm
Thank you sir for your quick response. Yes, I am in this crazy place called the USA. I will try contacting Hal Leonard as you suggested. I bought one copy from Amazon and the other from thrift books. Both sites stated that the CD was included, which it was, though in destroyed form. Yes, the books were used. I I was just trying to save a few dollars. I am willing to buy it new, assuming this third and final purchase is successful in obtaining a usable CD. Again thank you for your response and your suggestions. Your books are wonderful.
November 23, 2017 at 7:03 pm