Variation Techniques for Composers and Improvisors

Variation Techniques for Composers and Improviserscopyright © 2002 by Larry J. Solomon Melody augmentation write/play in longer (slower) note values articulation staccato, legato, tenuto, etc. breathing silences between sounds cycles/rotations cycling through figures; e.g., Alberti bass diminution write/play in faster note values directed motion motion towards a goal elision subtract note/s fragmentation a segment of a theme hard/soft edge harder or softer definition interpolation interject new (added) tones tones that substitute for expected goal tones; e.g., climax of Wagner's Tristan & Isolde, interruption act 2 interval contraction smaller intervals, same contour; e.g., Liszt's Les Preludes interval expansion larger intervals, same contour; e.g., Liszt's Les Preludes mirrored contour; e.g., subject and inversion in Bartok's Music for Strings, Percussion inversion and Celeste, first movement isomelos same notes, different rhythm; used constantly in dodecaphony microtones intervals smaller than a semitone scale structures that are symmetric in content; e.g., whole-tone scale, which has no non-tonal scales differences to imply a tonic octave melody with tones played in differing octave registers; occurs frequently ion Webern's displacement music ornamentation embellishment of a given figure or framework, such as a trill permutation change the order of pitches prolongation goal tones used as skeleton for long lines retrograde inversion a backwards inversion; much used in dodecaphony Terry Riley's In C... e. usually in the bass stasis a static figure. Bach's fugues automoton like a machine. chord arpeggiation Rhythm ametric without any feeling of meter. quartal chords nucleus a special set used as a primary focus. ii for IV translation figures that are repeated in time or pitch. e. commonly background.g. chant augmentation motive at a slower tempo.. etc. e.g. shaping a dynamic/time contour subcomplex extracted non-consecutive tones as a nucleus subtraction /elision a theme/motive with subtracted tones translation figures that are repeated in time or pitch transposition a figure higher or lower in pitch Harmony & Accompaniment accompaniment/framework skeletal backdrop for other instruments clusters/sound mass large secundal chords harmonic rhythm rate of harmonic change repetitive process on small number of elements. that substitutes for others.. e. e.. 74/4 ostinati obstinate..g. e.g.g. sequence unravelling an arpeggiation or spinning out of structures. line.. unchanging figures or aspects.g.g. C# in Scriabin's Op. A. e.g. Phillip minimal process Glass's Koyanisqatsi non-tertian chords chord structures not based on thirds.retrograde a theme backwards serial technique a constant ordering of pitch-classes. etc. C. Rachmaninov's Isle of the Dead (uses Dies Irae) . e. e.g. repeating chord figure substitution a chord.g. mechanically diminution a motive at a faster tempo. longer notes.. rhythms. e... the Offertory planing moving chords in parallel motion. Over the Pavements suspended time very long static events. Berlioz's Requiem. Over the Pavements polyrhythm distinctly divergent simultaneous rhythmic patterns. normally in counterpoint.g.g. e.. e. or slower. 4/4 to 5/8 to 6/8. aggitated. e.. with nothing much else happening syncopation unexpected rhythms...g. etc.g. Ives's Scherzo. e. Ives's Scherzo.g. similar to multimeter. Percussion and polarization Celeste texture change dropping in or out. e. or decel. e. calmer tempo periodically accel.. Bartok's Music density for Strings.... but hemiola without a change of meter signature. e. Percussion and Celeste Tonality ... e. e.. e. 2/4 + 3/4. isorhythmic motets isomelos changing rhythm.g.. used for unwritten polymeters (Schubert) homorhythm simultaneous ensemble attacks isorhythm changing pitches. e. modulation Texture statements of the same idea by successive voices.g.g. muscular movements polymeters different meters simultaneously.. duple within triple (Brahms)..g. same pitches metric changing the length of the pulse group modulation changing meters. e. adding/subtracting voices/instruments. change of meter within another. Bartok's Music for Strings. e. e. same rhythm. e.g. Renaissance imitation motets isotrophy harmonic planes or blocks of sound moving in opposite directions layering/stratification repetitions in each part layered with other parts. Ravel's Bolero increasing or decreasing the number of notes per unit time or space.g. Ravel's Bolero texture modulation gradually thinning or thickening.g. Ives's Scherzo. Over the Pavements tempo faster. Stravinsky's La Sacre du Printemps (Rite of multi-meter Spring) physical action reflexive. in Debussy's Preludes one of two opposites..g. also.g. antiphony..g. a change of key pandiatonic all tones of a diatonic scale treated with equal importance pantonality all (12) tones with equal importance polymodality more than one mode at a time.g. e. Berio's Sequenza's and Visage. e. parallel motion voicing open/close.g. pointillism 24 sprechstimme nearly spoken song. Bartok's String Quartet No. Stravinsky's La Sacre du Printemps tonal axis tonic/dominant syntax/substitution Voicing crossing voices crossing over or under a given voice doublings dup. e.g.g. op. e. e. e.pc .g. Webern's Concerto. Carter's Etude #7 from Eight Etudes and a Fantasy Dynamics . Schoenberg's Pierrot Lunaire timbre modulation changing the dynamic balance.. Dorian and Major simultaneously polytonality more than one tonic at the same time.. extended techniques Cowell's Banshee. Hungarian folksongs modulation a changing tonal focus. e.g. 2 multiphonics chords or harmonic intervals produced from harmonics short single bursts of instrumental color interjected among others... Cage's Sonatas and Interludes for prepared piano alternating melodic tones with other instrument/s...g. e. Liszt's Les Preludes.g. smooth/disjunct underlap crossing under a given line Color electronic alteration filtration or other electronic changes unusual playing methods on conventional instruments... e. and Symphony metamorphosis changing one idea gradually into another.. atonality (see pantonality) modality use of modes other than major/minor. Webern's orchestration of Bach's Ricecar klangfarbenmelodie from The Musical Offering.g. e. e. Cage's 4'33" moment form constant figures used to unify short sections..g. touch. etc. Haydn's Surprise Symphony transition a bridge from from one idea to another.. Schubert's March Militaire in Stravinsky's Circus parody Polka stochastic a controlled chance structure using probability theory (Xenakis) surprise a sudden contrast.g. Beethoven's Symphony No 5. differing with other parts terraced dynamics a sudden change in loudness level Form indeterminacy sounds not under control of a composer and performer. sight. e...) ./decresc.balance louder or softer compared with other parts dynamic modulation solo cresc..g. e.g. e. Stockhausen Momente overlap dovetailing old and new ideas in transition quotations of sections of pre-existing music. 3rd to 4th movements union a joining together of non-consecutive structures Miscellaneous antiphony spatial responses beating tone slightly out of unison with other parts debate argumentatively spatial modulation motion during performance synaesthesia a mixing of sensory stimuli (smell.g.