Restez

So, this week I did complete last week's goals, at least partially. I composed a few more lines of music, although I'm still not sure how I want to arrange them or if I even want to use these melodies or not. I will have to make those decisions as I progress deeper and deeper into this composition.
I'm also debating whether or not I should be sharing the little melodies and few lines that I have composed. I want to share my experiences with you through this blog but I also want to keep my work a surprise for the final end product. Thoughts? You can comment below:)

This week found me utilizing the website Virtual Piano while I was composing in class (because I did not have access to my violin at that time). It's a very cool website because each letter on a computer keyboard corresponds to a note on the virtual keyboard.

Also, I've found that when composing two interposed lines, it's easier to create harmonies if can identify the key that either the melody is in or that you want it to be in. Build a chord and then you can derive the notes for a harmony part from that chord. It's an interesting process and I believe that having studied music theory (even the little amount that I have covered) really made doing this easier for me. Because of this, I suggest to anyone wanting to try composing: build up a background in music theory first. It can be a work in progress.

Reading Ahead:
- Keep at it, the only way this piece will be finished is if I build upon it, one measure at a time.
- Take what I have to my mentor for review and advice.

Repeat

This week featured an abnormally hectic personal life for me and so I irresponsibly put off last week's goals for my project. However I did have the pleasure of inquiring about my peers' projects during our class time on Friday. Our teacher had each of us prepare a short visual and verbal presentation on our topics, goals, and progress. We set the classroom up like a 20% Time fair of sorts, many conversations and presentations going on at the same time, and I was free to roam from person to person for half of the class period.
It was interesting to look at what sort of goals my classmates had come up with. Many of them decided to create things, ranging from paintings, computers, to the floor plans of a new building for my school. A fair number also decided to commit to learning something new (cryptography, philosophy, Korean). We discussed the reason behind everyone's respective choices and what they were currently doing.
As I sat at my station, surveying the room for potential listeners to my presentation, I kind of envisioned these projects to be each of our respective careers and I think it really called to attention each person's individuality. The time that we spend in class is normally devoted to one set subject and curriculum that we are all required to learn. It unifies the student body of that class and sometimes seems to wash out each person's personality. This project is an opportunity to not only pursue something you have always wanted to do but also to distinguish yourself among your peers. Not everything is the same for everyone anymore. I learned things about some people that I had never suspected before and that was a very cool experience.
These presentations have also served as a motivator for me. Since most of my peers now know, in depth, what my project is about and what my objectives for the semester are, I can't settle for anything less. My only option is to do what said I would do and I hope to do it well.

Reading Ahead:
*Copy and paste from last week?*

Last week's goals? ü 

This week, while practicing violin, I made up a few melodies and recorded them. Later, I wrote them down using a free software that I found online. It is a free music notation software called MuseScore (http://musescore.org). It is pretty simple and basic, but I have just started to familiarize myself with the interface.
Here is one of the lines that I wrote down. Feel free to comment with critiques or opinions. Of course this is just the most basic melody. I have yet to expand on it or add to it, which I hope to do this week. (And by the way, the key is in D major)

Also, today I took about an hour and a half after my lesson to talk to my violin teacher and mentor, Dr. Ramirez,  about composing. He shared with me what he thinks about when constructing interacting melodies and harmonies. It was really fascinating to watch and hear. I showed him the few lines of music that I had already written down. He build chords around the notes that were already there and from those chords drew out secondary notes that had the potential of becoming an accompanying or harmonizing part. He prompted me to consider what influences and inspirations drove the piece that I wanted to compose and advised me to revolve around those ideas in the rest of the music.
He also exemplified the things that he incorporates into his compositions. He reminded me that the most important thing is to think about what kind of sounds and images you want to incorporate into a piece, and what kind of feeling you want to come across. We discussed different elements of musicality and composing, and the idea of having a motif that comes back again and again, but each time different.

I'm not yet sure if I want the line written above to be the main motif in my piece, but I do want to experiment and expand on this melody. It will be interesting to see all of the variations that I will be able to create from this one line. The second violin line will also provide infinitely more possible counterpoints and interactions. I will keep in mind that the balance between these two parts has to be equal, neither overpowering the other for two long. I want this piece to be a playful exchange of focus between the two parts, but also have some areas of heavier, collaborative music. 

Reading Ahead
- Continue to think of different melodies and themes
- Play with the rhythms
- My goal is to compose at least another 10 measures, if not more


Also, I want to take a moment and share with everyone reading this the serious problem that the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra musicians are facing right now. Due to disputes over control of orchestra size as well as healthcare between the musicians and the management of the Woodruff Arts Center (home to the ASO), the musicians have been locked out of the building without pay. It's a devastating blow to the arts and culture aspect of Atlanta .
This is their Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/ATLSymphonyMusicians
I hope that any of you who care about the music and culture in Atlanta will show your support for these amazing people.

Da Capo

Although last week I had intended to begin brainstorming melodies and harmonies for my composition, I decided to take a step back and first analyze some musical compositions in terms of structure, theme, and patterns.

The pieces I decided to look at (or rather listen to) were ones that I had previously played or am currently learning:

• Violin Concerto in E minor by Felix Mendelssohn
• Ballade Und Polonaise by Henri Vieuxtemps
• Passacaglia by Johan Halvorsen
• Navarra by Pablo de Sarasate

Then I explored some of the pieces that I'm familiar with but have never learned:

• Violin Concerto in D Major by Jean Sibelius
• Sheherazade by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov

I've noticed that most of these pieces center around a main melody or theme, and that theme reappears in later sections of the piece in a slightly altered form, if not the exact same.
In the case of Passacaglia, there were no themes that reoccurred later in the piece but most of the sections were repeated twice, the second time being softer or in a different style of playing.
I also noticed that in the two string duets that I looked at (Passacaglia and Navarra), the two parts often danced back and forth, exchanging main melodic lines for simple accompanying harmonies. Interestingly, most of Navarra consists of the two parts playing in unison rhythmically, but one maintaining a fixed interval (a third down) as harmony to the other. On the other hand, Passacaglia features more push and pull in terms of which player holds the melody and which player holds the underlying accompaniment.
Ultimately, analyzing the compositions of these pieces gives me an idea of how to construct the skeleton of my composition (and it allowed me to listen to good music excessively).

Decisions:
One of the key steps in starting a composition is establishing a key signature (see what I did there ;D). So I've decided on the key of D Major. It's a key that particularly suits the violin because of the violin's structure (the strings are tuned to G D E A), in addition to be fairly easy to play in.
Since I'm not writing a waltz, I will write in time signature, also known as common time, because it is so commonly used.

I also talked with my violin teacher, Dr. Juan Ramirez, and he has consented to being my mentor for the duration of this project. He has extensive experience in composing, conducting, and playing music, so I anticipate his help.

Reading Ahead (For real this time)
- Brainstorm melodies and harmonies
- Interview Dr. Ramirez
- Acquire music staff paper and music composing software