i used the exact same set of instruments as the track i transcribed this week (except for vocals) and just tried to see how i could make something different from the same components. i totally shifted genre, which wasn't my initial intention but made perfect sense to me. 5 hours is seeming to be the sweet spot in terms of getting enough detail that it is interesting to me and worth the effort, but it's also very achievable in a week. i guess if you factor in transcription time, there was probably about 5 hours of extra preparation time.

i had so much fun writing this!!! i massively struggled to write something of a similar genre last year, so this is pretty huge for me. i am definitely stretching the definitions of 'chamber prog' - the string ensemble is more cinematic/orchestral. but i would say despite that and despite it being inevitably a little rough around the edges given the timescale... i'm pretty happy with it all in all 👍