The law of Symmetry

The law of Symmetry in music composition is a tool to guide composers when writing music; mainly, to write sequences or patterns that are similar in structure, such as in a theme and its transposition, that follow its own exceptions.

Symmetry plays an important role in composition.The ear follows patterns of sounds that are arranged symetrically.

Please, take a moment to analyze the following example supporting the above. Opinions, questions,disagreements,insights are more than welcome.

Thanks for your time.

* You only need finale notepad. Here is the link for downloading it. FinaleMusic.com *

Not sure what you mean by symmetry here. I've usually thought in terms of harmonic rhythm and phrasing; and antiphonal effects - an opening motif/phrase, followed by an answering one in the type of music you've quoted.

Like this - sorry on behalf of finale for the quirks of no-pad and the note with loads of ledger lines - can't erase it.

M

Not sure what you mean by symmetry here. I've usually thought in terms of harmonic rhythm and phrasing; and antiphonal effects - an opening motif/phrase, followed by an answering one in the type of music you've quoted.

M

Antiphonal effects is, in fact, a derivative of the law of symmetry if this last is to be considered more elaborative; both derive from the studies of imitative counterpoint.

Argghhh!! Post midi please! Am I the only one on this forum that doesn't use Finale??!!

I feel just the same about sibelius....just got sick to the teeth of downloading even more stuff just to open a particular file, just to support this wretched partisanship! I wouldn't use finale no-pad but for tossing back an example - crikey, I can't even cut and paste it into Word to upload it as a readable attachment let alone save as a midi.

For the record, I reckon harmony and its rules arise as a result of music of the ployphonic era. Symmetry was unimportant then, phrasing followed the text. That was before the invention of bar lines.

I have never heard of a "law of symmetry" in music, although I guess the exercise could exerce a certain attraction to the intelect.

I think the real aim is more one of balance than actual symmetry.

applying symmetry in any methodical fashion could end up denying the "golden rule" in musical proportion.