Group 1
Welcome to the NEW FOUR WEEK INTENSIVE on tonebase!
This special FOUR-week workshop is a journey into the heart of piano composition, tailored for both beginners and seasoned pianists. Dr. Antonella Di Giulio will share her insights and techniques in creating structured piano compositions, drawing from her experience as a pianist, music theorist, and teacher.
Pianists of all levels are welcome.
More Detailed instructions coming soon!
- Sign-Up : January 12 - 15th
- Course Period: January 15th - February 11th
- Class Size: ALL are welcome!
- Optional check-In via Zoom: TBD
Assignment 1:
VIDEO:
https://youtu.be/uO_4ITnzrvo
"We will start this creative musical journey by exploring the cognitive processes of creativity and then we will dive into practical strategies you can use to start writing your own music. Creativity in music involves preparation, incubation, illumination, and verification.
Musical storytelling, theme and variation, collaborative composition, and constraint-based composing are powerful strategies to start creating music.
Improvisation is a key tool for developing musical intuition and creativity.
Tools to Begin Outlining Your Composition
- Manuscript Paper or Notation Software
- Piano or Keyboard
- Recording Device
- Reference Materials
- Creative Journal:
Breaking the Ice with Composition
For those who are new to composing or feel intimidated at the prospect of creating a full-fledged piece like a sonata, it's essential to start small and approach the process with a sense of exploration and fun. Here are some suggestions to ease into the composition process:
- Start with a Miniature Composition
- Improvise Freely
- Use a Familiar Piece as a reference
- Set a Time Limit
- Embrace the 'Sketch'
Assignments:
- Choose one of the strategies you might want to try out, maybe one you might feel more comfortable with and start experimenting with it.
For "Musical Storytelling:" write a short story with about 5 or more different scenes, create some sounds or ideas for each scene and write the notes down (symbols or sketches are ok!)
For "Theme and Variation": choose a short theme, start sketching what you could do with the theme (for instance, Var. 1/ in triplets, Var. 2/ in quadruplets, Var. 4/ in minor)
For "Collaborative Composition": find a partner or a group, start with a few notes, pass them along to your partner(s), let them complete the sentence, then continue what they have done and keep exchanging ideas.
For "Constraint-Based Composing": chose a constraint. For instance, you might want to work only with a certain rhythmic pattern, or only using certain pitches, or even transcribe an existing composition. Then start sketching your own piece on that base.
- Sketch a Short Piece: Using the chosen method, start outlining a short piece of music.
- Reflective Journal: Keep a musical journal of your process, noting your thoughts, challenges, and insights. It is easy to forget a short motive or a beautiful accompaniment if we do not write it down.
- Post your progress to receive suggestions and feedback.
Remember, it has to be fun!
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Assignment #2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RdHlCiIIMuY&feature=youtu.be
"In the second week of the workshop, we will explore the intricate world of musical structure. Because each one of you is working on very different projects, it would be meaningless to just analyze traditional types of structures and the overused traditional forms. Instead, I have chosen to focus on two general concepts that can help everybody.
I will introduce two essential structural concepts: paradigmatic and syntagmatic structures. Paradigmatic structure, likened to a musical palette, involves making choices from available musical elements such as melodies, harmonies, rhythms, dynamics, and articulations vertically, to create depth and meaning in a piece. Syntagmatic structures help craft a narrative and focus on the sequence of musical events over time and the logical flow within a composition.
Music composition is a dynamic interplay between structure and creativity. So... if you consider these two main structural concepts, you might feel free to move within a structure in whichever way you'd like.
Assignments for Week Two: "Unlocking the Secrets of Musical Structure"
Paradigmatic Exploration: Choose a section of your composition and experiment with different paradigmatic choices. Alter the harmony, rhythm, or articulation to evoke different emotions or moods. Reflect on how these changes impact the overall expression of your piece.
Syntagmatic Storytelling: Review the structure of your composition. Ensure it has a clear narrative arc – introduction, development, climax, and conclusion. Consider the transitions between sections and how they contribute to the flow of your music.
Balancing Act: Explore how you can seamlessly blend paradigmatic and syntagmatic elements in your composition. Identify moments where introducing new musical material enhances the overall impact of your piece."
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Assignment #3
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zg43G3uOOH0
"This workshop focuses on understanding music as a system of signs and codes, following Umberto Eco's theories. The session aims to expand participants' understanding of how musical elements convey meaning within a composition's structure.
Key Points:
Music as a System of Signs:
Emphasis on how music uses signs like notes, rhythms, dynamics to communicate. Discussion on the semiotics of music.
Eco's Theories:
Exploration of Umberto Eco's concepts of 'Structures That Move' and 'Structures Within Which We Move', applying them to music composition.
Musical Codes in Composition:
Importance of understanding and creatively using musical codes. Discussion on genre-specific codes and cross-genre exploration.
Crafting Music with Intention:
Focus on intentional use of musical codes to enrich narrative and emotional depth in compositions.
Practical Assignments:
Analyzing Musical Codes:
Choose a music piece, identify and analyze its musical codes, understanding their contribution to the piece's message and emotion.
Composing with 'Structures That Move'/ 'Structures Within Which We Move':
Apply this concept to your piece.
Examine how codes combine in music to express meaning. Add codes to unlock the meaning in your piece.
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Assignment #4 (Final!)
"As we consider finalizing our compositions with the rhizomatic concept in mind, it's important to embrace the idea that a composition might never be 'finished' in the traditional sense but can always remain open to new interpretations and developments. Your composition is complete not when every possibility has been explored but when it provides a coherent musical experience that feels resolved yet open to further exploration.
Assignments for the Final Week
Review with Rhizomatic Perspective: Revisit your composition, considering the interconnectedness and multiplicity of musical ideas. Reflect on how each segment offers paths to new explorations.
Subtle Refinements: Focus on detail-oriented tweaks that enhance the interconnected themes, ensuring each motif contributes to the overall rhizomatic structure.
Seek Feedback: Gather diverse perspectives on your composition's rhizomatic nature. Use this feedback to open new paths within your work.
Embrace Evolution: Allow your composition to develop organically, exploring alternative paths and creative experimentations.
Maintain Your Vision: Ensure your rhizomatic composition remains true to your original intent, even as it evolves and expands.
Final Presentation: Prepare to share your composition here on Tonebase on February 20th (watchparty)
As we conclude this workshop, remember that composing with a rhizomatic perspective enriches your creative process, offering endless possibilities for growth and exploration. Your compositions become living, breathing entities, constantly evolving and inviting new interpretations. Thank you for joining me on this unconventional journey!
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Very much looking forward to this!
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Karen Lander It should be fun for everyone :)
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Is it too late to join in on this intensive? I'm an aspiring novice guitarist on ToneBaseGuitar, but am also member of ToneBasePiano to develop musicianship.
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David No! You will always be on time in any creative process :) We just started today. Feel free to start working on your composition.
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Antonella Di Giulio I am struggling with going from my improvisational attempts. I sketch out something and wake up to put it into MuseScore to see what it sounds like in the morning. I really don't like the outcome after sleeping on it. Perhaps I am trying to do things that are too complicated for my piano skills and background and should try a two-part that traces a simple ii-V-I chord progression with some passing tones, etc. It's also hard not to just "copy" ideas from my memory of music I have heard before. This is a real challenge, but hopefully it's good for my music appreciation if nothing else!
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David keep it simple! Just start with a few measures you like, feel free to delete the rest.
look at how I destroy a piece I write
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David it is interesting… I could imagine the beginning with some short notes at the right hand, maybe… and try to focus on the rhythmic patterns at the left hand… sometimes on the notation software things might sound really bad or Viceversa. I always play things on the piano.
Add some new things, then experiment with how it sounds together. It does not have to be perfect right away!
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Antonella Di Giulio I always just want to start over, but maybe it's good to stick with something and see where it goes? Or would it be better to start over in something simple in C adding a melody to a simple arpeggiated/Alberti chord progression?
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David Yes, it is like writing an essay... you start a draft and sometimes the first thing you will write is not going to be in the final version. Just keep going and see what to keep and what to delete: it is your piece! You can do whatever you want with it :)
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Antonella Di Giulio I decided to start over and use a structural constraint-based theme and one variation. At this point, it's just the melody, but I will harmonize as simply as I can get it, but hopefully interesting. I just felt that the other start was a dead end at this point in my abilities at the keyboard. I attached the melody to see if you think that it might be easier to work with this start instead of the pervious one.
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David wow! Completely different, but it sounds promising.
now add some harmonies to it.
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Antonella Di Giulio I added some harmony. I have a new found appreciation for the "albums for the young" repertoire that I am learning! I am grateful for those pieces that great composers left for the young and old alike to learn from. I'm going to work on this more to play with moving notes around to make it feel better in the hands. Maybe I'll stumble on some new and more interesting sounds as I struggle through the process.
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David wonderful job! Keep trying to find ways to make it more beautiful!
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Hi everyone!
I am excited to learn more about composition through this intensive. I have some experience with notation software (both Musescore and Finale) and have composed piano pieces before (sort of New-Age piano pieces).
I plan on using the Theme and Variation strategy for my composition. I actually already have the motif and am going to start experimenting with it.
Thanks to Dr. Antonella Di Giulio for teaching this!
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Morgan Nogradi Great! Have fun!
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I'm looking forward to this 4-week intensive. I'm a piano beginner, but over 35 years ago I would compose for my friends (I was on trombone, with friends on flute and Eb saxophone). It seems to me that composing is one way to "play" with music. My Mondays & Tuesdays are always busy, so I'll get started in earnest on Wednesday. Thanks so much!
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Michelle R It is great to have you here! And yes... just "play" with the music :)
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Antonella Di Giulio Rather than an actual story, I hope something closer to a poem is ok. I have the poetic thoughts, now just need to consider sounds that go with them!
Felipe’s Treasure
From his father’s arms
Heaven’s waves
Bring him home.
Angels descend
To carry him
To the holy font.
Love
Will not deny
A heart so pure,
A treasure
Rare
And precious:
Felipe.
Loved and loved
Into his Father’s arms.
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Michelle R That is perfect! SO beautiful....
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Michelle R Your poem gave me chills, beautiful!
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Antonella Di Giulio Gail Starr Thanks so much, Dr. Di Giulio and Gail. These were just the raw, rather emotion-laden, ideas for the poem, not the completed poem itself - which I think (hope!) are sufficient for this exercise. I'm going to work with one idea at a time and see what happens musically, beginning today since we are snowed-in and can't go anywhere anyway!
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Starting very small, after thinking through what I hoped for with the first phrase (a mixture of conflicting emotions, with the thought of "gazing" rather than moving), here's what I came up with after sitting and playing around on the piano for a bit (and yes, I'm wearing MY practice blanket today!):
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Michelle R excellent start! The upward line sounds hopeful.
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Gail Starr Thank you, Gail. I expect it will descend into sobs in a moment before it becomes hopeful again - I think there will always be a mixture, but hope/love/joy will win in the end....
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Michelle R I love your piece already!
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Michelle R I can hear the deep emotion already! Great start!
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