A New Leaf? Menuetto from String Quartet in D

yes yes indeed... many trios are in the same key, but usually they always have a definite caracter, that is distinct from the menuet, maybe you can have just 2 instruments playing and the other with pizzicato, or just 2 instrumetns playing and the other silent, hmm you have many possibilities... if you like to write a new one, cool, if not, just rework some things and it should go good, i am sure!

wow, absolutely charming!!!! loved! i don't think the trio is bad as is. it shifts the atmosphere to a slightly new, more intimate and expressive mood, with quite interesting voicing and delightful rhythmic devices, and music in such style doesn't need to display strong contrasts to be effective. politeness and balance are features of true classicism.