Lesson with Mark

Ok, I'll try arranging my progression for the strings, and work on the solo part later. I don't want to be too 'out there' with the chords, I think I'll try this progresison, and then once i'm done see if there are any instances when a 9th chord or similar would fit.

:P

Hey Mark,

How's it going? Any progress?

Been playing around a lot with different progressions, having a bit of writers block :huh: I'm sure it'll pass, with time. In the meantime, could we possibly start on one of the other movements?

Its ok. Just let me know whenever you feel you are having a block. Have you done any sketching with your motifs? have you done any sketching of any kind of harmonic layout?

Have you thought about the overall direction you want to take the piece.

Thinking, planning and sketching are all parts of composition. I will give you some time to do some sketching and working out of ideas and if you are still haveing trouble we'll do some exercises with your material.

With the rest of this movement: I plan to go to E major for the next ritornello, then have an 8 bar solo trading between the recorder and violin one modulating back to A minor, then when the final ritornello is expected, have the first two beats of it, then go into a final 4 bar solo for the recorder in A minor, then back to the ritornello one last time.

So are giving me just your mental sketch or have you actually sketched on paper to consider making it a part of your concerto?

This is what I have as my mental sketch of where I'm going to go next, I was hoping you could give me your opinion before I continue. Is there anything there that won't work? Is there anything that would work better?

Ok, since you have a mental sketch I want you to actaully sketch it out on paper and not in Finale.

Using your motifs and other materials/themes, I want you to sketch out possible ideas for you recorder solos in various keys. Also, much like you did for the first recorder solo, try to find new ways to combine the ideas of your motifs to create new material.

Remember, I mentioned that you wanted you to get some practice with this movement in being economical with your materials/motifs. If you feel that there is room to introduce a new motif or new material then do so with caution. You don't want a piece that is strung together with "nice" or "pretty" melodies or moments that have nothing to do with one another.

If you need to work at an instrument to do you physical sketching then do so.

Your next harmonic layout sounds nice just make sure you are thinking about how you are going to modulate from one key to another. Try thinking of ways to use your motifs and orchestral materials to create intersting moments of modulation.

Make sense?

Tha majorty of it does, but I'm unsure as to how one might use a melodic motif to modulate?

I mean that when you are setting up your harmonic layout to modulate to other keys use your motifs to create a more interesting and smooth transition. Remember when I had you first use your motivic ideas to create you the first Recorder solo? Well its the same idea. As I said, if you are still having problems we can work on exercises that will help you out. If you've got anything to post, feel free to do so.

I'm still not entirely sure of myself with this, I'd like to have a go at a few exercises if I may please ;)

I will get a exercise or two ready for you this week. Sorry I've taken so long between replies. Things have been crazy for me.

No problem, I've not got a great deal of time myself, although I will have a ten hour flight during which I can do loads of exercises pretty soon, I'll be away in Japan for two weeks from the 15th.

:o

Ok, sorry I've been such a bad teacher these past couple of weeks. :happy:

I've attached an exercise for you. Its a theme and within that theme I have designated 3 motifs I want to you to focus on. I will give you instructions on what I want you to do.

1) First I want you to combine motif 1 and motif 3 using the rhythm & melodic shape only to create music. Don't worry about so much about preserving the relationship of intervals between the notes. Try your best to not always be suggestive of the key of C Major. Try to create 4 measures of music.

2) Repeat this process combining motifs 1 & 2 as well as combining motifs 2 & 3. Remember that I want you to focus on working with the rhythm and melodic shape for now.

Is the assignment clear?

Just a note, Mark is away untill the 25th :happy:

thanks for reminding me :happy:

I have returned, and shall read over your exercise and do it as soon as I can :D

What I have to do is clear, where this theme you speak of is is, however, not. (I'm pretty sure that sentence makes sense, although this could be the jetlag talking)

Sorry about that :)

Here it is...

Sorry I'm taking so long with these, have been annoyingly busy recently :huh:

I was wondering, could we maybe put the concerto on hold, and work on a smaller, less ambitious, less intimidating project? Maybe a few short piano pieces or something, I just need to have the feeling of having finished something I'm pleased with, as I still haven't actually finished a piece, and I think maybe if I were to be able to finish a short piece, and be able to concentrate on using interesting harmony, and so on, without having to worry about the other movements, and other instruments, and all that crap.

:P

Sure, that's fine. But I would like to still have you work on the exercises. They will help your you with development of your own ideas.

Cool, I'll try and get the rest of it done in the next few days, and see if I can come up with any material to work with. :laugh: