Group 5
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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Oulala I have sent the wrong score
here it is :
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Gauthier Maybe this section could be a second section of something else :) I would love to hear the thematic material without too many notes at first, then add this section and then modulate. Imagine a composition as a speech: you define your topic at the beginning, then you talk about it, then you summarize the topic at the end.
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Antonella Di Giulio Thank you I will work on a first section.
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I am starting this course late. It's a relief to see that it is four weeks' long, as it is listed under the 'Two Week Intensives'.
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Roy James-Pike Hi! You are on time :) I hope you will have fun.
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Hi Everyone,
Here is my update!
I. Intro - not sure what the intro will be. The contented, monotonous arpeggios? Major
2. cardinal flies around signing ‘pearly pearly pearly’ to tell all the others birds it’s territory - up and down in octaves. Major andante
3. Crow sings its ‘caw, caws, caws’ to other crows - a discordant sound. Bass notes, atonal. Andante
4. Twittering birds signs little trills high register. Allegro. Atonal
5. Crows sing their contented sound ‘caw-caw’ a descending sound - minor adagio
6. Conclusion All birds sing overlaying each other - not sure how to do this yet since it is a mixture.
I had problems trying to download MuseScore and not have the subscription (yet). So, I’m using Dorico and I almost have it figured out! I hope to post it tomorrow!
I’m so excited to share my composition so far.
Best, Wendy
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Wendy Awesome! It looks like you have a clear plan of what to compose :) Musescore is free... you are probably looking at the wrong site. Download | MuseScore
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Antonella Di Giulio Thank you for the link! I figured out that the MuseScore download doesn’t work on an iPad, so that was the problem. :)
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Wendy Oh yes... unfortunately it does not work on an ipad.
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Here is my next try. I have themes for different birds and added some expression. So, I think that I added some paradigmatic elements. I feel the syntagmatic is still a sketch, and needs more of a story of the birds interacting, and not just at the conclusion (not written yet), as I was thinking earlier. I feel that the two crow parts add tension to the story. I wrote it out as best as I could. Thank you!
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Wendy Great job! Try to tell a story :)
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Antonella Di Giulio Thank you!
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Antonella Di Giulio Dear Dr. Antonella, Thank you so much for everything! I have been working on my story with the motifs. I am still working on it. I so appreciate that you have opened doors and given me wings (not pun intended even if I am writing about birds). I am excited to share my piece next week. I am so happy you introduced me to atonal music and I feel free to explore in any way! Thank you, thank you, thank you!
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Wendy Dear Wendy, thank you so much! Yes, the goal was exactly what you achieved.
i am sure your piece will sound so well!
it was entirely my pleasure and fun to guide this amazing group of people on this fantastic platform!
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I have revised my notes on Schemata and partimenti so that I can establish a form for each variation. I have downloaded Musescore as my handwriting is less than good on manuscript paper. I plan to start working on Musescore later today/tonight.
I have a hand-written note of a chord structure, which is for John Coltrane's 'Body and Soul'. I have no idea of the source of my notes: D maj 9/ E- 9, D (ADD 2) F#/G- 9/C 13/ F# 7 B7(b9)/E-7/A7 (b9)D maj 9. This will be my starting point.
More later, hopefuly. Apologies to all for not yet having had time to review the posts from other participants. It has been a very difficult week or two!
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Roy James-Pike That is ok... just start from somewhere :)
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Antonella Di Giulio Please accept my apologies for the lack of contribution on my part. Unforeseen family curcumstances meant that I have had so little time in the last three weeks to be able to commit fully beyond some initial research.
I should be in a position in the very near future to commit more time, which I shall spend re-visiting the videos and reflecting on the works of others.
I hope to join the live show in a little while.
Well done everyone who fulfilled the creative work of composing their own music!
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Roy James-Pike Feel free to submit a composition later! The videos and assignments will stay here in any case :) Things happen in life...
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Antonella Di Giulio Thank you. Much appreciated. Yes, things happen in life and sometimes they are so unexpected.
I just watched the watch party. Great show! So many talented musicians!
I need to develop a number of skills sets along with the composition. I am just about on top of video and audio recording. I have downloaded Musicscore, which was difficult to do until I saw a presentation on Youtube that said the scorewriting is on .org not .co.
I did some background reading so I do now need to start to put the various strands into practice.
I have said it before but it is no less vailid - I love your teaching. You are such an asset to TB!
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Roy James-Pike That's very sweet of you! Thank you.
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Hello Antonella Di Giulio
Sorry that I haven't write before. I was very busy at work and didn't found the time. I had to get sick to finally have some time alone at my piano
This is my composition, it's not finished and I'm stuck at my climax and don't know yet how to develop it even more, I would like something intense after that before coming back to my initial theme.
It's a nocturne and I studied a lot of Chopin work so I think the influence of quite audible!
I hope you don't get trouble reading my messy notes sorry!
I also join an audio
I'm looking forward for your advice
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Natalia I love what you did!
great job! More than Chopin, I feel a lot of French music in it.
Wonderful!
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Antonella Di Giulio Dear Dr. Antonella, I wanted to share this here. I remember that the 20th is the listening party. I went back to my first theme and developed. It is a work in progress. I am learning the software and my playing is still tentative (even if I wrote it), but it’s a start. I am looking forward to continuing it in more atonal sounds. Thank you so much!
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Wendy I love the piece!!! Feel free to experiment with sounds even more :)
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Antonella Di Giulio Antonella Di Giulio Dear Dr. Antonella, Thank you! That means so much to me! Yes! I will continue experimenting with sounds and making a story with the music. Thank you!!!!
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