The art and craft of creating new music.
3
votes
2answers
94 views
Accidentals in First Species Counterpoint
On page 39 of Alfred Mann's translation of The Study of Counterpoint there is a passage concerning justification of using accidentals in first species counterpoint.
Here is the passage:
Aloys: ...
0
votes
1answer
16 views
Accidentals in First Species Counterpoint (continued)
Can you clarify this answer that you gave in a previous post jjmusicnotes:
2.) The term "diatonic" refers to what naturally occurs in the scale. In major keys, each degree of the scale corresponds to ...
2
votes
1answer
62 views
Chordal Analysis of Christian Petzold's Minuet in G (formerly attributed to J.S. Bach)
The piece I am asking about is the well-known minuet that was originally attributed to J.S. Bach but has since been re-attributed to lesser-known composer, Christian Petzold.
My question concerns ...
-1
votes
0answers
28 views
Diagram and name the form of the opening bars (mm. 1-12) of Haydn's Piano Sonata no.49, I [closed]
The first thirteen bars of Haydn's Piano Sonata no. 49, I I diagrammed as a three phrase period where mm. 1-4 constitute phrase a and mm.4-8 constitute phrase a' and mm.8-12 constitute phrase b. It is ...
2
votes
0answers
61 views
When did Bach diverge from the style of Palestrina?
It's interesting to note that Bach did follow many of the rules espoused in The Study of Counterpoint. Fux used the music of Palestrina as his basis for his theory. Yet, the music of Bach is separate ...
-1
votes
1answer
55 views
Few Questions on Counterpoint in the Tradition of Johan Fux [closed]
Question 1. I understand why in most cases the penultimate note of the counterpoint will be the leading tone, which must be raised in minor to establish a sense of tonality. But why is the leading ...
2
votes
1answer
38 views
Older Hexachordal Systems referred to in The Study of Counterpoint
What are the hexachordal systems discussed in The Study of Counterpoint?
I would like an explanation of them and how they relate to the modal first species exercises
written out by Joseph.
The ...
2
votes
1answer
39 views
Octave apart voicing
Strictly speaking, can adjacent voices (aside from tenor and bass) be an octave apart from each other? They can't be more than an octave apart but is it a violation of principle to make them an octave ...
2
votes
1answer
39 views
Why in the study of counterpoint by johan fux are minor sixths allowed but not augmented fifth?
If augmented fifths and minor sixths are enharmonically equivalent why does johan fux in his book study of counterpoint allow minor sixths but not augmented fifths if they sound the same? How does one ...
5
votes
2answers
278 views
Online counterpoint materials
For a long time I've wanted to teach myself counterpoint, but haven't been able to find any materials online. Are there any hidden tutorials anyone knows of, or good books written in English in the ...
0
votes
1answer
32 views
Diminished Intervals in Voice Leading
I know that augmented intervals within part writing in both minor and major keys is forbidden but what about diminished intervals? For example if I we're in e minor and in 3/4 time and I'm writing a ...
1
vote
1answer
87 views
Figuring out the difference between major and relative minor scales?
I always seem have difficulty determining whether a song is in a major scale, or the relative minor. (the 3rd note back into it, but minor)
Lets use the Pokemon theme song for example. As I ...
1
vote
0answers
30 views
Confusing passage from The Study of Counterpoint [duplicate]
Here is the passage:
Joseph: I wanted to write a sixth here. But when I studied singing, I learned that fa leads down and mi leads up. Since the progression moves upward from the sixth into a third I ...
3
votes
2answers
68 views
Cadential Six Four Chord
Must the V chord always immediately follow the I 6-4 in a cadential six-four or can there be maybe a passing six-four in between like in measure seven of beethoven's piano concerto no.1 op.15, I? ...
1
vote
4answers
63 views
Diminished Intervals
If I go from F# to D# down (F#-D#) is that a diminished third or augmented second interval?
I am composing in minor mode and want to know because augmented intervals are forbidden in part writing.
15
votes
3answers
343 views
As a composer, should I be composing music for an instrument I don't play?
I wanted to know if composing music for a specific instrument demands that you know how to at least play the instrument. I'm sure if you know how the instrument sounds by itself as well as within an ...
2
votes
2answers
123 views
What is this 4 bar part of music called?
In the song Amie by Pure Prairie League there is a repeated section of muisc that is about 4 bars long(or 2 depending on how you count it). It occurs between every section of music except near the end ...
7
votes
1answer
89 views
Finding the “Starting point” when creating a composition or score
This is a fairly simple one, and hopefully not too wide-open to be permitted here: what approaches are available when sitting at a fresh screen or sheet of paper, or at your instrument, to create the ...
8
votes
2answers
3k views
How to turn any (pop) song into a jazz song?
Quite often there are pop songs wich get covered in a jazz style. These covers are seen from youtube to tv.
Now I tried doing something like this, with for example Bad Day by Daniel Powter. It's ...
6
votes
2answers
98 views
Tips for using complex time signatures in a “catchy” pop song?
I'm looking to write some music in the vein of a band I discovered recently called Icarus The Owl, who use some pretty wacky time signatures (anything from 21/16 into weirder territories) but always ...
-2
votes
1answer
91 views
2 guitar progression [closed]
These are progression from a song that I was playing with a friend but we don't understand it at all. Can somebody please explain conceptually why they sound good when played together i.e first ...
3
votes
3answers
114 views
How many bars can a clarinet sustain?
Apologies if the question is too silly (my profile might explain why I don't know the answer).
I am writing a piece and at some point I want a clarinet to hold a note until the performer runs out of ...
7
votes
9answers
398 views
What instrument can an old guy learn if the main goal is to write music
At this old age I began, two years ago learning to write music. I write it using Sibelius and let the computer play it for me.
I have been strongly recommended to learn to play an instrument. I have ...
-3
votes
1answer
31 views
Who's the composer to this music? [closed]
I came across this fascinating video on Youtube, and I'm wondering who composed the music.
My apologies in advance, I'm naive in this area.
Any thoughts will be appreciated.
15
votes
8answers
361 views
Any advice for a novice composer?
I have been learning the acoustic guitar for about 3 years, but just recently started writing my own songs. I am currently learning music theory.
Given that starting point what advice would you give ...
2
votes
2answers
140 views
Aiding the transcription of naturally occuring sounds. e.g. Horse whinnying, bird singing, etc
I edited the question extensively. The comments helped me to phrase it to reflect more what I really wanted to ask.
....................
I don't have perfect pitch and badly trained and imprecise ...
4
votes
3answers
104 views
Temporarily Changing Keys - Which accidentals to use?
I've was taught that whenever you write a run of notes going up, you should use sharps instead of flats; And whenever you go downwards, you should generally write flats instead of sharps. My question ...
2
votes
2answers
112 views
What should I be trying my hand at to practice composing?
I don't really know how to play any instrument, but I do have some USB keys that I have plinked with in Garageband.
I'm not interested so much in learning to perform my works. I enjoy and am inspired ...
0
votes
2answers
67 views
Music and time, “natural” time
To play music rhythm in time it was always something difficult to me, with a metronome also. Basically I can not count time. On the other hand I have some intuition to compose simple music, and when I ...
0
votes
2answers
174 views
Myspace is dead. What are the alternatives? [closed]
I've been playing and composing music all through my life, and I want a sort of showcase to store and make it available.
I was thinking about Myspace, but from several sources I heard it is in a ...
4
votes
1answer
1k views
What makes a happy song happy? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
What gives a piece of music its personality and feeling?
What makes a happy song a happy one? What are the elements that give this particular property to a music piece? ...
5
votes
1answer
171 views
How can I improve my piano accompaniments?
When I play piano or keyboards, I've noticed that I keep slipping into playing the same chords (and variations thereof, such as very simple bass lines) with my left hand while I use my right hand to ...
2
votes
4answers
142 views
6
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3answers
200 views
What does an arranger do?
When you see the "arranged by" attribution on a score, what did the arranger (typically) do?
6
votes
1answer
112 views
Can someone explain the rhythm of a Mazurka?
While perusing some Chopin and Liszt sheets, I tried to play a Mazurka or two. But, I simply don't understand how the rhythm works. It feels awkward and unbalanced when I try and I just don't get it, ...
4
votes
1answer
177 views
What is “Sonata-Allegro form” and what other similar forms should I be aware of?
There are lots of classical pieces called "Sonata", and they usually have 3 movements. But there are guitar Sonatas by Paganini that only have 2 movements! And I heard there's a crazy Tchaikovsky -- ...
24
votes
8answers
478 views
What exactly should I have to learn to understand why certain combination of chords are harmonic when played in a sequence?
I am an intuitive music composer trying to move to a technical music composer. As a dummy, I see music as a composition of 'pieces' (my word). Each piece is a set of notes that are melodical when ...
3
votes
3answers
404 views
recognizing the motif
I encounter the term motif in composition books, and still have no idea what a motif is. Many sources (including some dictionaries) try to define it as "prominent sequence of notes" or "basic theme of ...
20
votes
5answers
1k views
Does it really make difference to play a song in a different key?
I hear sometimes players and composers say that this song won't sound good in F Major for example, and you should play it or write it in G Major (this was just an example). In other words, it seems ...
0
votes
1answer
90 views
Arranging a copyrighted song [closed]
I have a friend in high school who wants me to arrange a copyrighted work for her high school band to play in concert. What do I need to do to make sure that the final composition is legal and ...
4
votes
2answers
152 views
How to compose an acoustic guitar chorus?
I've been playing guitar off and on for years, and every once in a while I come up with some lyrics and chords that seem to be really great for a few verses. The problem is that I can never seem to ...
10
votes
5answers
2k views
Tips on counting and playing odd time signatures
I'm pretty interested in learning, composing and playing along to songs using odd time signatures (3/4, 5/4, 7/8, ...) and I'd like some advice on how to wrap my head around all this stuff.
For ...
23
votes
8answers
1k views
Key signature for writing in modes other than major and minor
I have trouble deciding what accidentals to put in the key signature for pieces in dorian, phrygian, lydian or mixolydian modes. There seem to be tradeoffs associated with each choice.
For example, ...
1
vote
2answers
172 views
How to write partitures for an orchesta
I know a single musician would read from a partiture in real time and that is no problem, the partiture has its silences and tempo.
I am more a lyric musician but I like composing music because I ...
4
votes
2answers
136 views
Capturing music in my head
Here's a strange question, so I welcome improvements...
Since I can remember, I've had grand orchestrated music pop into my head throughout the day-- sort of a musical dreaming. It's really good ...
5
votes
5answers
208 views
How to keep practicing to compose music when you're too picky to listen to yourself playing
I'm a pianist, and I also compose songs in DAWs. My main spare time occupation is to improvise on the piano, and I've been doing it for several years now.
Even before I learned any instruments (when ...
14
votes
6answers
1k views
Is it possible to write a song without a key?
"This song is in F Major", "That song is in A Minor", "This song is in D Minor, but modulates to F Major in the middle", etc.
Can we say "This song has no key"? Are there songs that have/follow no ...
7
votes
5answers
511 views
tips for writing the drum notes to a song in a band
I play the drums in a band, and the song has already been written and everything that the vocalist, guitarist and bassist will play. The drums were left out and I have to write them to fit the song.
...
11
votes
2answers
638 views
Well-known composers or piano pieces generally suitable for someone with small hands?
One of my struggles with playing the piano is that I have small hands. I can reach an octave - mostly. I can reach it, I just can't maneuver between octaves quickly. Often times a piece will have a ...
13
votes
5answers
333 views
Is there any way to improve composing?
Beside playing drums I'm toying with software to create music. The problem is when I need to advance further. I may have some good, let's say "riffs" (or pieces, or melodies, or ideas), and I'm pretty ...
