Writing Themes For Sonatas

Hello everyone,

When it comes to trying to write a sonata I face a lot of difficulty with themes -

I tend to 'overdevelop' before anything becomes coherent. So for example I might start with a motivic cell or figure in a certain key and then suddenly switch to something else that is

completely unrelated - different rhythm - different key etc.

I also tend to use lots of leaps and dissonant intervals which makes everything sound angular and incoherent, and not memorable.

I understand that in a stylistic sense all of this is manageable but I'm interested in writing in a more classical/romantic style

I would like to better understand the following:

What is the logic behind writing phrases ?

Phrase structure - Formulas like AAAB or AA1BB1

How do you write something that is coherent and memorable?

I understand for example that you should use steps and only leaps in climactic moments but this usually ends up sound 'cmajorish' with me

How do you effectively use harmony in thematic/phrasal writing - cadences, and progressions etc.

Thank you for your help

ISDNMAN

I could probably help you if you gave an example. Are you aware of how 8 and 16 bar themes such as sentences or periods are constructed, btw?

Hi Pervy,

Yes I am aware of such a thing, but I'm not aware of how to make them into a theme,. ..

There is book called classical forms by William E. Caplin which describes -with examples- how different part of sonatas function and especially deals with different types of phrases.I found it very helpful.I think you'll too

writing in a more classical/romantic style

moar LEGIT

I tend to 'overdevelop' before anything becomes coherent. So for example I might start with a motivic cell or figure in a certain key and then suddenly switch to something else that is completely unrelated

:hmmm:

My suggestion is: score study a example of classical sonata form and see how it works. Learn how the Haydn, Mozart, and Beethoven wrote in that form. Then try to write in one.

Furthermore, read a book a text on musical form and sonata form....amazon for this. ;)