Gnossienne 6 accidentals
I am fighting Gbossienne 6. As this piece is so weird I am happy for any help.
I can't figure out any tonality or sense in terms of key or mode... All I found out is, that it's different motives that come back later transposed to SOMEWHERE RANDOM.
Because I can't make any theoretical sense of it, I have difficulties understanding what harmonies are logical.
There are no bar lines - so do accidentals keep applying, or are they cancelled automatically with each note?
Because there is a part where F# hasn't been cancelled out (last F# left hand end of yellow, reappears end of green), but afterwards there is a # in front of same line F (beginning of pink). So I ASSUME the F without # is F natural. The chord is a diminished one, with the # it'd be a B major with diminished 7th... so both is... weird 😂
Does anyone know?
And any tricks on how to learn this?
Also: I have 2 editions, one s copy by my teacher, I think Henle, one is Peters. They have quarter notes in the bass in different spots. huh?
I have found
- motifs / their transpositions
- left hand pattern (10th voicing)
But no context... it's all so random, atm I am so limited to my sight reading speed, which is so slooooow.
2 replies
-
That's a beautiful piece!
Satie is a very particular composer, even comical at some points! I believe that trying to find the logic behind the pieces is not the point of Satie himself.
I've found that the Gnossienes are not tonal nor modal; you can find some tonal points at some moments, but I don't think that's the point for those pieces. I don't recommend focus on searching for any. That said, if you happen to find any familiar chord, or cadence, or anything; it will help a lot!
My personal advice is to keep your focus on the themes, and learn them separately, one by one. Since the piece have no key signature and no barlines, the reading can be tough at some points.
The accidentals affect only the note beside them. You'll find the natural symbol only when it comes right after a sharp or flat, but if you find no alteration, just asume is a natural note. You can watch videos if having hard doubts too.
I hope my english is good enough!
Enjoy the ride and all of Satie's shenanigans!
-
If you ever make it to Honfleur, France, visit Maison Satie, a museum dedicated to Satie and his music.
He was a funny guy.