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by Tinkerbell on April 3rd, 2009
Yes but what sort of tips would you like?
Let's assume you are writing a string quartet for example. Again assume you have a basic melody and harmonic (chord) progression.
From here there are any number of things you could do. The simplest is to have the 'cello playing your bass line which should primarily be the root note of the harmonic progression but you can add some harmonic flavourings as well. Keep it reasonably simple.
Use your viola and 2nd violin to flesh out the harmony again this is up t you what sounds best. A simple starting point would be to have the viola playing fifth intervals with the 2nd violin playing non-perfect elements of the harmony (thirds, sixths etc).
Carry your melody line in the 1st violin by and large.
TO make the piece more interesting introduce some antiphony (question and answer) passages between the instruments. You can use the different tonal ranges of the instruments to create different textures in this regard. For example you could have a short meoldic theme starting in the 'cello which is echoed by the viola and finally by the violins so you create an ascending pattern which could add some nice tension to your piece.
Try incorporating some pedal elements. Either the 'cello playing pedal notes or perhaps the 1st violin playing an inverted pedal whilst maybe the viola takes the melody for a time.
Regarding harmony decide whether you are going to go for modal harmonies or not. Modal can add some nice flavouring but can also get out of hand and become confusing. Best to stick to using notes within your key signature unless you are performing temporary modulations and so on.
And so on. There are so many things you could try.
Please feel free to ask more specific questions if needed as this is a bit of a vast topic.
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Comments
My previous tutor taught me totally incorrect. My foundation of music theory for four-part writing is totally wrong. I need to build up a new foundation.
by Angel of Music on April 3rd, 2009
OK, what did he tell you?
by Tinkerbell on April 3rd, 2009
Also ABRSM do a series called Music Theory in Practice (odd name but never mind). These are the books I used when I was learning music theory (MANY years ago). Get a set of these and work through them, it will teach you all you need to now more or less.
Also there are some good online resources as well.
by Tinkerbell on April 3rd, 2009
Can you list some of those online sources please and where I can get these books. I am from South Africa.
by Angel of Music on April 5th, 2009
You can mail order the ABRSM ones from here
http://www.abrsmpublishing.com/instrument/46
Not sure if they supply to SA but I am pretty sure Amazon would also have them.
Online resources here are a few but please note I have never used them! I have a number of books etc so I tend to use them and to be fair it is all ingrained now from years of studying it when I was a kid. So I don't vouch for how good they will be. Shop around and compare and contrast. I would say always go for something that has plenty of examples to practice with.
http://www.musictheory.net/index.html
http://www.8notes.com/theory/
http://www.gmajormusictheory.org/index.html
They seem OK at first glance but if not come back to me and I'll find some more. Berklee used to do some good ones as well but don't know if they charge now.
please feel free to ask any further questions on music theory if needed. :)
by Tinkerbell on April 5th, 2009
Than you very much I will have a look at them.
by Angel of Music on April 6th, 2009