Composition Planning Lesson

By the end of the lesson (if you havent already) you must have chosen your
composition brief. It may be from either of the following:

1. Compose a piece over a ground bass for solo instrument and

accompaniment to be performed as part of a recital. You must compose
your own ground bass.
2. Compose music for a trailer promoting a PG-rated film about pirates. The
music must depict at least three contrasted scenes and/or action
sequences.
3. Compose a piece of music for performance at a carnival. The music must
contain stylistic features of reggae fused with samba

Although you should be ambitious, do be make sure that in your choice make sure
you have considered the realization of your piece i.e. how you will make it
happen! Doing research, doing brainstorms etc will help you. It might be the case
that you have more ideas for a less appealing initial choice.

PLANNING IS KEY TO YOUR PIECE BEING A SUCCESS

A detailed plan will help you immeasurably in the process of composition. The
more examples you have of pieces, consideration for proportions, timings etc will
all help.

There is no right way of planning but you must be able to write it down in some
way. The line method demonstrated last week is the way to go if you are stuck.

TO DO

By the end of the lesson you must fill in the answers to the questions below
and email it to me so I can check you are on the right lines.
This will require some researching and some careful consideration
If you get through this you may start working on ideas for your piece.
 Name .
First Year Composition 2016

Brief chosen:

(The gaps are to not proportionate to the length of answer expected)

1. What forces are you thinking of using (instruments, instrumental effects and
timbres etc)

2. Explain briefly the style(s)you intend to write in use existing pieces to help if
needed.

3. Draw out a rough plan, or just as a list for now the plan of your piece t give a
rough sense of timings / structure. The more detailed the better.

4. List at least 4 examples pieces of music that have / will inspire your piece.
Explain what features you like in the piece, why/how they are effective and
how you might use the idea in your piece. Be as detailed as you can in your
explanations.

Piece 1 title:
Features:
Effects:
How you would use them:

Piece 2 title:
Features:
Effects:
How you would use them:

Piece 3 title:
Features:
Effects:
How you would use them:

Piece 4 title:
Features:
Effects:
How you would use them:

5. Would you like to speak to Ben to discuss your piece?