Crystal Spring - Harp Original (Austin Wintory Aliens Contest Entry)

New original harp music, yay! This piece feels very joyful to me, and I'm very grateful for Austin Wintory's latest contest for sparking the inspiration :)
The main prompt for the contest was to take a rhythm and make it interesting.
So the first harp layer starts with some simple arpeggios in the given rhythm.
Layer 2 shifts the rhythm by one beat with some sparkly broken chords up in the high register of the harp.
Layer 3 takes the root of each chord in octaves in the original rhythm.
Layer 4 is a vocal melody with lots and lots of ~ r e v e r b ~
Original it was going to be a tin whistle but then I remembered I haven't played tin whistle in two years lmao so THAT did not sound good but I do love a wordless vocal line so here we are :)
I haven't decided on a title for this but I was thinking something like "Crystal Spring."
EDIT: I have updated the title since you guys seem to like it :)
Anyways, I don't think this is really ~avant garde~ enough to win or anything, but it's very /me/, and it was a fun experience that got me back in touch with the kind of music I want to make after feeling a bit lost for a while.
If you want to know more about the contest you can learn about it here! • New ALIENS FIRETEAM Mu...
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▶️ More Harp Original: • Departure - Harp Origi...

[@SamanthaBallard]

I haven't really decided on a title for this yet, but I've been thinking something like "Crystal Spring." What do you think? EDIT: I have updated the title since you guys seem to like it :)

[@Whiskey_and_Steel]

I like it. Crystal spring has a refreshing fantasy vibe to it

[@therussianprincess7036]

I like the name! It fits the song, it’s both cosy and... sparkling? If that’s any way to describe it? Also, if you told me this was a track from a nature documentary or a video game, I would 100% believe you, no questions asked.

[@SamanthaBallard]

@@therussianprincess7036 Thank you so much! And I think I know exactly what you mean, it is very sparkly :)

[@trevorsasso]

That's a perfect name go with that its refreshing and vibrant like the song

[@a3hmax913]

It's a nice way to start the day with a beautiful harp performance 👏

[@SamanthaBallard]

Glad to hear it 🥰 thanks for listening!

[@NicoMendozaMusic]

The harp is mixed so well here! Gives the vocals a perfect place to sit on in the arrangement. Amazingly executed!

[@SamanthaBallard]

Thanks Nico!! I did the harp in mono this time and moved the mic for each part so they'd sit nicer in the mix and then panned them left center and right :D Glad it came out well!

[@stephencooper7459]

Beuatiful music. That should be on a soundtrack . 👍

[@calebdodson1054]

Stellar work! thank you for sharing it

[@SamanthaBallard]

And thank you for the kind words! 😊

[@stewartmatthews1551]

That was really nice Samantha I didn't know you sing that is awesome I think the title you went with is good

[@SamanthaBallard]

Thanks Stewart

[@stewartmatthews1551]

@@SamanthaBallard you're welcome

[@naturalthemelodious]

It's sad to me that a lot of your original content doesn't get as many views. This was such a lovely experience.

[@SamanthaBallard]

That's just the way it is, so I don't worry about it too much, but I'm happy to hear you liked it ^^

[@Ahsoka_Hyrule]

This is so magical, I love your originals. Keep up the good work!

[@SamanthaBallard]

Thanks Ahsoka! ^^

[@rachelsmithmusic20]

Absolutely beautiful! :D

[@SamanthaBallard]

Thank you! :)

[@cassy7929]

It’s beautiful. reminds me of Videogame music

[@ashleywagner8650]

Beautiful!!

[@SamanthaBallard]

Thanks Ashley!

[@nini2557]

Magnifique ❤️

[@calebdodson1054]

Have you played A King's Bird? this made me think of the soundtrack, I think you'd do killer covers of it

[@Friday_WasTaken]

clap

[@SamanthaBallard]

😄

[@Tinykniter]

I can see - or rather hear - why this piece is a winner! Can this be played on a lever harp, or are there many accidentals/key changes? If so, is sheet music available? Thanks!

[@SamanthaBallard]

Thank you! :) I actually never wrote this down, but aside from range there weren't any pedal changes so it probably would be playable on a lever harp too (you'd need a couple friends to play it with though, haha)

[@Tinykniter]

@@SamanthaBallard I do have a friend who also plays the harp. I’m sorry that you never wrote it down. So pretty!

[@MikoHazuki_247]

This is the most beautiful example of "short and sweet" I've ever heard! 💚

[@SamanthaBallard]

Thanks Miko 💕

[@owenanderson9624]

Hi Samantha, I will always enjoy your music 😉❤❤

[@SamanthaBallard]

Thanks for listening!

[@Aerikku]

Sounds enchanting ! Wish it had lasted longer

[@SamanthaBallard]

I kind of wish it was longer too 😂 maybe I’ll come back to it later

[@Harpsibored]

Beautiful! My favorite part is the ending, I love that arpeggio and final chord, it's just perfect!!!

[@SamanthaBallard]

Hey glad you liked it! :D

[@MrWildside87]

Truly a heavenly voice, and such musical talent. Please never stop!

[@peterfabian5454]

Actually, it's good, whatever is the reason for.

[@skysoldier31]

That's beautiful. The vocals remind me of an a capella version of les Cités d'Or.

[@SamanthaBallard]

Thanks Frederick :)

[@houseofskulltulips]

You're angelic.

[@LyneaFlynn]

I love it. The feeling I get from it is the joy and hopeful outlook after overcoming a great obstacle together with your friends by your side. The way your beautiful singing further elevates the emotional impact reminds me of a fresh early morning in an open field that's sparkling from dew drops. "Crystal Spring" would be a fitting title, in my opinion, since it's a refreshing song. Like the spring a wanderer pauses at. (❁´◡`❁) I listened to Departure and this in that order, and it feels like they tell a story together. The bittersweet feeling of leaving, the calm resolve and the hopeful outlook lead to the wonderful experiences on the way. This is your musical journey. I'll be happily looking forward to your next steps. Thank you for taking us along! ♪(´▽｀)

[@SamanthaBallard]

ahh thanks so much Lyn!

[@LyneaFlynn]

@@SamanthaBallard Departure is in my "important" playlist ever since I subscribed to your newsletter years ago. It's important to me since it described how I felt about leaving my childhood home ^-^

[@ToroSolidusBelmont]

M A R A V I L L O S O ♥

[@MidnightAmber_]

Ты потрясающая

[@bbrbbr-on2gd]

If I had to describe this in colors, I'd say it feels like blues and greens, very nature oriented. It was really calming and full of life. Thank you.

[@SamanthaBallard]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@auroraparadox5235]

Simply beautiful.

[@SamanthaBallard]

Thank you!

[@auroraparadox5235]

@@SamanthaBallard do you plan on uploading this to Spotify?

[@SamanthaBallard]

@@auroraparadox5235 I hadn't been but maybe I should!

[@auroraparadox5235]

@@SamanthaBallard its a beautiful piece. it would be a day 1 addition to the relaxation playlist I have.