giselle Posted November 4, 2006 Share Posted November 4, 2006 I really hate writing for a solo instrument (sans any accompaniment, even piano) because I haven't figured out what the heck to do with it. I'm having trouble deciding what makes a really interesting piece for solo instrument. It's tricky. I've seen a lot of pieces with extended techniques to keep the interest alive but I have been given guidelines to write a neoclassical piece for a solo instrument (sax) so it's not going to be wayyyyyyyyy out there, you know? What would you suggest that I keep in mind when writing solo pieces like this, where (for the most part) only one note can be played at a time? I'm finding myself in a rut. :closedeyes: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SHEKHAR Posted November 4, 2006 Share Posted November 4, 2006 Listen to Bach's solo violin pieces. Please do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
montpellier Posted November 7, 2006 Share Posted November 7, 2006 Giselle, I still reckon it's worth giving it a go. It's an exercise I was "forced" into for various reasons. It does help you learn to imply harmony and rhythm in a monophonic line, develop a good melodic contour (good = you find it satsifactory). Best to choose an instrument you like, though. There are guidlines for melody writing so start with a motif, let it go! As just said, Bach is an excellent instructor in conventional harmony/rhtym - the cello and violin suites. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
giselle Posted November 8, 2006 Author Share Posted November 8, 2006 thanks people! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Posted November 8, 2006 Share Posted November 8, 2006 bach cello suites, i posted a score in the suggest a work forum Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djf Posted November 10, 2006 Share Posted November 10, 2006 Definitely look at the cello suites. The thing you probably ought to do to make it work is write a melody and a simple accompanyment (just straight chords), and then try to work the chords into the melody as arpeggios or something. That seems to be what Bach does, especially in the Prelude of Cello Suite #1. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Will Kirk Posted November 10, 2006 Share Posted November 10, 2006 Or you could always just look at some solo guitar music :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dustin Hahn Posted November 10, 2006 Share Posted November 10, 2006 I really hate writing for a solo instrument (sans any accompaniment, even piano) because I haven't figured out what the heck to do with it.I'm having trouble deciding what makes a really interesting piece for solo instrument. It's tricky. I've seen a lot of pieces with extended techniques to keep the interest alive but I have been given guidelines to write a neoclassical piece for a solo instrument (sax) so it's not going to be wayyyyyyyyy out there, you know? What would you suggest that I keep in mind when writing solo pieces like this, where (for the most part) only one note can be played at a time? I'm finding myself in a rut. :) Listen to Vivaldi's A minor concerto for the violin. Man, that was a nightmare to learn. XP Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
giselle Posted November 10, 2006 Author Share Posted November 10, 2006 What concerns me about the piece I am writing (which has to be for saxophone) is that unlike a string instrument, a sax generally only plays one note at a time, which makes it even more complicated. grr! I think I'm getting the hang of it. Thanks for the listening suggestions. I like the idea of writing the simple accompaniment and working that into the solo part, giving the impression of more than one instrument. cool. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marius Posted November 10, 2006 Share Posted November 10, 2006 Oh I love sax! I've written for sax solo before, maybe I can help - what kind of saxophone do you need to write for? Just the standard alto? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
giselle Posted November 11, 2006 Author Share Posted November 11, 2006 yes indeed!! :cool: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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