New to composing? 

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Scared of composing? 

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Or just don't like composing? 

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Well here, I've created a quick and simple to follow resource to help you comopse a short piece of your own inspired by aspects and compositional processes undertaken by Bree Van Reyk in her piece, 'Light for the First Time.' I have also written about by resource process in my blog if you would like to check that out! 

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First, have a listen to her piece, performed by Ensemble Offspring. 

 

 

 

 

 

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TASK #1: 

INTRODUCTION

Watch and listen to the video again and answer these two questions.

1. What are three compositional processes or ideas you find interesting/different?

2. What story or theme comes to mind when you listen to this piece?

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TASK #2: 

COLOUR 

Bree van Reyk explains that the inspiration of this piece was her daughter. 

"Light for the First Time imagines the experience of opening one's eyes for the first time. The unfolding of the piece reflects a desire to be able to relive that moment endlessly, in slow motion, as if bathed in the brand-new memory of light. It is dedicated to my daughter, Claude van Gold." 

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Taking on this vision, we are going to base the inspiration of our composition around a set of colours. This worksheet will help determine what colours and instruments you will use. First think of a emotion and an instrument that corresponds with each colour you see. Remember that your answer may not be the same as your friend as everyone's interpretation is different! 

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Once you have completed this worksheet, choose one colour. (e.g. blue) 

The second colour you choose has to be opposite the first colour as it needs to be contrasting. (e.g. orange) 

The third and final colour will be a transition colour, ie. a colour that matches botht the first two contrasting colours (e.g. yellow). 

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The instruments that you have under those colours will be the instruments in your composition! Now wasn't that simple! 

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TASK #3: 

RHYTHMIC COMPOSITION

'Light for the First Time' features many elements of rhythmic alteration such as augmentation and diminution. What are they? 

Frequent use of triplets are also present in her composition. 

Taking on these ideas, we are going to apply this to our composition. 

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(If you would like to read more about a short analysis of the rhythmic content in this piece, I have written a blog post about it so be sure to check it out to give you more of an idea for your composition!)

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Complete this worksheet to compose many different rhythmic patterns. 

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TASK #4: 

MELODIC MATERIAL

Now this is the exciting time when all your elements start coming together. Input your rhythms into a notation software program e.g. Sibelius, Musescore, Noteflight or if you do not have access to a device, manuscript and pencil will work just fine! 

When inputting your rhythms in, remember the colours they represent. Insert the rhythms you think are suitable for that colour e.g. long notes such as minims and semibreves can represent the colour blue. 

Using the idea of minimal (static, step) melodic movement, I have created a video tutorial example to guide you in your compositional experience! 

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TASK #5: (EXTENSION ACTIVITY)  

ALEATORIC COMPOSING 

Want to develop your composition a little further or want to explore a new way of composing? This may just be the thing for you! 

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 You will be taking small sections from your own melodic material; you can choose as many as you like! (I have chosen 10 in my video demonstration) 

Take note of these small sections by circling and labelling it on your score or you could even write it out on some manuscript. 

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Then input all your numbers into this website: https://www.random.org/lists/  

This website creates new random lists which you will use to order your small sections into new melodic material! 

 

Here is my video demonstration for you to follow along! 

 

 

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You have successfully created a composition using some fun and simple steps! I would love for you to send my composition to see what you have created.  

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