Saraband-aid

I was challenged by Peter to compose a baroque dance form for four parts. I haven't studied harmony yet so its probably full of mistakes.

Hi!  Nice job for a first attempt at a Sarabande!  I am not sure if it is necessarily "full of mistakes" per se, at least not harmonic ones.  Orchestration wise, sometimes the flute plays in a range in which it's sound can be weak and demanding of lots of air (but that's only from measure 17 onwards).  As far as the character of this dance goes - it still seems like a kind of really slow minuet to me.  Here's a YouTube channel outlining some of the characteristics of various Baroque dances (Sarabande included):

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2xdVCmCA4W1NV7n6Kx67Cw/featured

1 hour ago, PeterthePapercomPoser said:

Hi!  Nice job for a first attempt at a Sarabande!  I am not sure if it is necessarily "full of mistakes" per se, at least not harmonic ones.  Orchestration wise, sometimes the flute plays in a range in which it's sound can be weak and demanding of lots of air (but that's only from measure 17 onwards).  As far as the character of this dance goes - it still seems like a kind of really slow minuet to me.  Here's a YouTube channel outlining some of the characteristics of various Baroque dances (Sarabande included):

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2xdVCmCA4W1NV7n6Kx67Cw/featured

 

Thank you for your feedback. I watched that video before I composed so I'm not sure how I'm getting the character of a sarabande wrong. I should probably listen to a few examples to get a better idea perhaps. I could use more block chords, slightly quicker tempo, come to think of it, the rhythm needs to be clearer for it to be dance-able. 

*15 minutes later*

I have a book called, 'Dance and the music of Bach'. I've not read it yet but I took a look at the section on the sarabande and its packed full of information. I can send you the link if you want to delve deeper into the dance forms? 

1 hour ago, Papageno said:

I have a book called, 'Dance and the music of Bach'. I've not read it yet but I took a look at the section on the sarabande and its packed full of information. I can send you the link if you want to delve deeper into the dance forms?

Sure!  Although I don't know how useful it will be to someone who doesn't necessarily want to compose in the Baroque style (just in a recognizably dance-like rhythm and with the right "character" or "tone" of the given dance).

This is the basic rhythm of the Sarabande.

14 minutes ago, Luis Hernández said:

This is the basic rhythm of the Sarabande.

 

 

Thank you Luis