Download File - tam

Unit 41 Task 1
Tam-Li Harris
Canon in D
Introduction to Music notation
The composer has used D major as it is well-suited
to the violin and all orchestral strings because of
the structure of those instruments as it is tuned G D
A E causing the open strings to sound harmonic
when played. The alto clef was used as the Viola
must play using this clef. The violoncello used the
bass clef as it is performing the bass.
The two violins used a treble clef as they are playing
the melody. The composer used a ground bass
because it was easiest to use as it is a simple loop
repeated over and over. Pizzicato was used in the
piece as the composer did not want the violins to
sound harmonic at the specific points in which it
was used.
Explaining the elements of Music
The key signature and time signature are
important as the key signature determines
where the sharps and flats are throughout the
piece and the time signature determines the
amount of beats in each bar. The time signature
however can change during the song for
example Canon in D’s time signature is at 72 .
These clefs are lines in which
The pizzicato means that you must pluck the
instruments are played on. The
strings. It’s Key Signature is C.
treble and bass clefs are the
most common clefs to appear in Originally the piece was named Canon and
Gigue for 3 violins and basso continuo however
most pieces. In Canon in D the
is instead commonly referred to as Pachelbel’s
treble, bass and alto clefs
canon after it’s composer Johann Pachelbel.
appear.
There are many rests in this piece. Rests are
The instrumentation is comprised
used when and instrument isn’t playing and
of two Violins, a Viola and a
when an instrument doesn't play for a
Violoncello. These are
whole bar, a line appears in the middle of
instruments that all belong to the
the bar. They generally last the same time
string family.
as the rest of the piece.
Overture
This is a full score of the overture to
Carmen, an opera in four acts of the
French composer Georges Bizet . An
overture (Prelude) is the instrumental
introduction to an opera. The
instrumentation is comprised of 2 flutes,
an oboe, clarinets, Bassoons, 2 Horns,
Pistons, Trombones, Timbales, Triangle,
Harp, Violins, Altos, Violoncellos and
Basses. This is a typical orchestra of the
time that the piece was written. This can
be considered a romantic piece. All of the
instruments play at a time signature of 2/4
at 114 beats per minute. A majority of
these instruments play at a melody clef
while four instruments play at a bass clef.
The trombones and Altos play 2 different
clefs however. As this is only the prelude of
the overture some instruments don’t play
and some have breaks where they don’t
play. The score’s Key Signature is A. You can
tell this as it has 3 sharps and no chromatic
notes. It also starts on an A.
The piece was written during the Romantic Period. At this time much
emotion and expression was very fashionable therefore the composers
added more instruments to their music in order to add much more
flavor and variety to their pieces. Therefore some of the instruments
were doubled in order to achieve different forms of the same sound.
During the Romantic period, many composers decided to infuse their
passion and emotions into their music by creating stories with music
that is thought to be able to intrigue the audience.
The instruments are in the order it is in so that it is easy for the
conductor to read the score as the instruments will always be laid out
in the same order.
The harp has 2 staves so it can play both the bass and melody (Why
does each instrument have a different stave?). Each instrument has a
different key signature as the composers in the Romantic Era liked to
give unexpected endings. He picked this many instruments as it was
typical of an orchestral piece during it’s time.
The composer picked these dynamics in order for the piece to give a
victorious and triumphant sound. This piece links to the Toreador and
his triumph as he is a champion. The first part of the prelude is his
theme.
Basin Street Blues
As this is a jazz piece, instrumentation does
not have to be specified. Typical instruments
such as piano, drums, voice and bass can be
expected however this is the type of piece
where everyone can join in. Therefore
instrumentation is not necessary as any
instrument can play this piece. Each
instrument is playing notes on a melody line
at the same 4/4 time signature and key
signature. A lot of the chords are based 7
keys between each other as well as minor
key. Due to the origins of Jazz music it is
expected to be improvisation which is why all
of the instruments play on melody line. It is
really so that any instrument can play these
notes so long as the instruments keep up
with the time and stays in line with the chord
sequence. However as not all of the
instruments just play chords, they can also
create counter melodies due to this piece
having to be developed. The counter
melodies however stay in the same keys as
the chords and as the key signature instructs.
This helps to show how improvisation is
required for this piece.
This is different to the previous scores as none of the
instruments are specified, the time and key signatures a
completely different as is the structure and this is a type of piece
that can simply be improvised.
The rhythm of this piece are expected to be performed in a
medium swing rhythm of a 4/4 time signature.
Not all performances of this piece are going to be the same and
the piece can last as long as the performer wants it to as it’s
performance it uses interpretation. It will sound different each
time as the song can be performed with different structures as
only the rhythm, notes, key and time signature are specified.
Examples of different performances of the piece that follow the
score correctly are:
Example 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qRjT4h7F_jw
Example 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H8GjJD826vc
Example 3: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uxotcFALP8k
These examples show different interpretations of the same piece
as the tempo and instrumentation are completely different in
each performance.
Berio Sequenza III
Berio Sequenza III
This is a screenshot of the beginning of the score of Berio Sequenza III. This score is far more
complex than the first two examples as the previous examples were more traditional. The
piece was made this way so that each time it is performed it can vary. This is because the
performer can take a different interpretation each time they sing it. The composer has written
specific instructions that must be met however as it is 20th century music it will always sound
different due to there being no tempo or rhythm signified. Judging by the vocal performances,
he has used words in the piece as well as noises to make it easier to understand. He has also
tried not to keep it too far away from traditional singing. Advantages include the difference in
variation and perception. Therefore not many people can perform this the same way.
Disadvantages include the fact that this must be a solo performance as if many composers
decide to play a part in it’s production it will be a disaster as it is a matter of opinion.