Gratitude

Composer’s Intention

I set out to capture an edgy and hopeful feeling, experimenting with rhythms and articulation as well as minor tonality. The triple hi-hat bounce and the staccato melody chords gave a lively and uplifting tone to the music. The aim was to engage the audience throughout with new ideas / variations along the way, which I believe I have accomplished.

Process:

●  I started with experimenting with different ideas for chord progressions until I settled on a harmonic sequence that I liked.

●  The main goal for this piece was to keep the piece interesting and varied. I have done this by adding musical layers or developing ideas almost every 8 bars, with multiple melodies phrased in antecedent and consequent phrases and ostinato countermelodies, along with interesting and varied rhythmic ostinati.

●  This was my first time working with a sub-bass and I experimented with harmonic dissonance in certain places but found they clashed with my creative brief.

●  Instead, I created contrast by varying the rhythmic activity, as well placing the melody in different pitch registers and instruments for timbral variation.

●  I tried to use a variety of instruments to make the piece more interesting. At first, I had used some synthesizers as the lead instruments, however, I then changed this to pizzicato strings, which made the piece more trap-like.

Learning Outcome:

This piece was the first time I had tried implementing a range of instruments that are used in totally different genres of music. Interestingly, the contrasts of these instruments made the piece more engaging. The use of countermelodies can be highly useful for adding texture and complexity to the piece and finally, varying the chord progression throughout the piece, allows the listener to stay captivated and interested.