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This is how I tend to play some adventure games: I enter a room, hear the start of a new song as I dink around, then leave the room and the song cuts off after only a few seconds. I'll hear the first 15 seconds of a song 100 times over the course of the game, while never listening to the song all the way through. So, for this tune contest, make the best gosh darn beginning of a song that you can.

-I will be looking for a catchy musical phrase within the first few seconds.
-Annoyingness is BAD. Hooks don't have to be annoying.
-Entries should be at least 45 seconds, OR able to be looped for at least 45 seconds without getting too annoying.
-Every part of the song should be fairly similar - if a player leaves the computer for a minute, he should recognize the song when he comes back.

Some random examples that I like:
Skyrim: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m5txtITwAvs
Mario: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MiAxiGZKpGQ
The beginning of the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AFa1-kciCb4
Any great movie theme song like Indiana Jones and Star Wars.

That's it. The rules for this one are a relatively lax, yes? No excuses for not doing it.

For this contest you'll get back to basics! Compose a piece of music following these guidelines:

1) There must be 3-5 parts or voices, each playing single notes.
2) Each voice should be active for the majority of the piece.
3) The same instrument can play more than one voice. So a piano that plays a string of 5-note chords would be an acceptable entry (as long as there are no other voices).
4) No unpitched percussion.
5) Your piece should be 1-3 minutes long.

Some examples of music that would follow these guidelines are barbershop quartets and most chamber music. Basically, your piece must be playable for any group of 3, 4, or 5 instruments (adjusting for range). Let me know if the intent of the rules is unclear.

I'll judge based on creativity and composition, while attempting to ignore polish. The deadline is May 21.


And most importantly, have fun!!