My first Sonatina!

This is my first sonatina! and my first exploration of a larger musical form. I learned a lot while writing it and am looking for any kind of feedback and overall impressions!

YouTube link

Hope you find some enjoyment in listening.

Sonatina in C Major.pdf

Hello MinGry!

I see that you have written a nice little piece, that i wouldn't describe as a sonatine. This is because a sonatine is

1. Usually multi-movements

2. Not ternary form, but instead Sonata-Allegro form, which has three distinct themes in the exposition, which goes from I-V (usually and you did that well) and also usually repeats. Then comes the development and reprise which you did well.

You have a nice first theme, that actually seems to plain. The whole piece is basically just a mezzo-piano.

You might have been able to develop the textures better by using more dynamics, and using more staccato maybe. You could have also had more layers of complexity.

Good job on exploring a new style as a composer!

Keep improving!
Tristanthetristan

Edited Tuesday at 06:25 PM1 day by TristanTheTristan

22 hours ago, TristanTheTristan said:

Hello MinGry!

I see that you have written a nice little piece, that i wouldn't describe as a sonatine. This is because a sonatine is

1. Usually multi-movements

2. Not ternary form, but instead Sonata-Allegro form, which has three distinct themes in the exposition, which goes from I-V (usually and you did that well) and also usually repeats. Then comes the development and reprise which you did well.

You have a nice first theme, that actually seems to plain. The whole piece is basically just a mezzo-piano.

You might have been able to develop the textures better by using more dynamics, and using more staccato maybe. You could have also had more layers of complexity.

Good job on exploring a new style as a composer!

Keep improving!
Tristanthetristan

Thanks for taking the time to listen and for the feedback!

I think you made some fair points that I'll definitely keep in mind for future pieces. Since this was my first attempt at writing in a larger form, I tried to keep things relatively simple while I focused on the structure. Might write a second movement for it eventually.

Thanks again for valuable feedback @TristanTheTristan

Nicely done...I would do some research into the form of sonatinas and their form/structure.

Other than that, I think this is a great first attempt - I sat down and sight-read through it and it's very easy to read, which makes it more approachable if you were wanting to distribute the piece for educational purposes (sorry, piano teacher brain taking over lol!).

If you add a second movement, please post it so we can hear both together.

Hello @MinGry

Below you will find mine critique on your sonatina:

Engraving and ect:

There are barely any phrase markings through the score. I think in b5 through b12 there should be phrase markings. Also, I feel there should be dynamics markings to create emotion depth. There is engraving error: use a double bar when you change keys!

Harmony: (counterpoint)

I notice there were counterpoint errors in this piece. In b13, you leaped form tritone leap: F#-C. That is not great. We want to avoid dissonance leaps at all cost. Dissoances are fine if we prepare and resolve them. I feel that F# should move to G in the bass. That way, you have better counterpoint in b14. I am not sure about the suspensions in the bass. Usually, suspensions in counterpoint create dissonance. The half cadence at the end section A weeks weak with. Perhaps, have stronger bass movement on that moment and then before that V/V-V with 5-1 bass line that will create stronger ending.

Form:

I feel this does this with in form of sonatina. While many are more familiar sonatas, sonatinas are smaller forms. No development section. Two movements! Thus, I would say the closest way to describe them is ABA.

Good work!