As a composer, you are continually approached by people to write music. It can be in a field you are experienced in, or it can be in new fields that you have yet to experiment with. When delving into these new fields, all a composer has is the knowledge of prior compositional technique and the ability to research new techniques for music composition. A composer must determine what the role of the music is in the project and what tools are needed to produce a stylized and effective piece of music.
This article follows the thoughts and processes of creating a thirty minute music composition to be used by an artist in the Live Art field.
What is Live Art?
Live Art put simply is the creation of an artwork in real-time, influenced by outside stimuli, in this case a prewritten musical composition. It is a broad field, encompassing all kinds of performing and visual arts. This article focuses purely on music for Live Visual Art.
The artist presses play and the track begins. They pick up their tools and start to add to their canvas. The style of the music sets the scene and the slight nuances give the artist new ideas. The track develops and so does the artist’s work.
How is Live Art Music Different?
Music for Live Art is definitely unique. To begin with, an artist is performing a primary task so the music is secondary. A composers approach to themes and repetition are different to those of other kinds of compositions. In Live Art Music repetition can be used to instigate and help build ideas for the artist.
The Structure of a Thirty Minute Composition
The composition from this article consists of piano, strings, various electronic elements and a drum track. The track is dominated by the piano and strings which play the main motifs and chord progressions. Here is a brief outline of the composition’s structure;
Movement One:
* Solo piano plays the first theme
* Rhythmic electronic elements with drums
* Strings play main chord progression with drums
* Piano plays second theme supported by strings
Interlude:
* Ambient soundscape with dreamlike pads
* Rhythmic electronic element reintroduced
Movement Two:
* Rhythmic electronic elements with drums (extended version)
* Strings play main chord progression with drums (extended version)
* Piano theme variation with rhythmic elements, drums, and strings
* First piano theme with light rhythmic accompaniment
* Solo rhythmic element
* Piano plays second theme (extended version)
* Piano plays second theme supported by strings
Interlude:
* Ambient soundscape with dreamlike pads (extended version)
* Rhythmic electronic element reintroduced
Movement Three:
* Rhythmic electronic elements with drums (extended version)
* Strings play main chord progression with drums (extended version)
* First piano theme with rhythmic elements, drums, and strings
* Solo piano plays first theme as outro
Movement One: Introducing Thematic Elements
The track opens with light piano, introducing the main theme of the composition and the chord progression that is the basis for the piano development and string progressions. A heartfelt mood is created immediately by the piano theme as the intention was to create a composition that would have impact when the artist was producing their artwork.
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The introduction of the rhythmic elements, provide the artist with a surprising array of colors and contrasts the solo piano. The composition needs to blatantly, and at times subtly, provoke the artist into making creative choices. The large percussion hits help to add impact and depth to the soundscape, while the electronic elements lay the foundation of the rhythm.
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The drum track is added briefly, serving only as an introduction to be used later in the second movement, and more extensively in the third movement. It is intended to spark ideas that later the artist will hear again and help to develop those ideas.
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As the drums abruptly stop, the hi-hats continue while the first string progression is introduced. It is based on the chord progression the first piano theme is centered around. Again, this is only briefly introduced and will be used more in the later movements.
The first movement comes to an end with the piano playing the second theme which is used as an outro to movement one and two. The second theme has a slightly darker feel and helps with the changeover to the interlude.
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Strings are used to support the piano playing the second theme and also help extend the length that the piano theme can be played, by offering variation to the musical texture.
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Interlude: Bridging the Movements
Writing a composition that spans half an hour is a challenging task and is why this composition has three movements. By using an interlude between movements, the artist can find more space to develop their ideas, as well as have a stronger impression when the themes are re-introduced in later movements. The interlude is made up of two elements; an ambient electronic pad and dreamlike bell synthesizer. They create a sparse, yet provocative soundscape for the artist to continue working on their ideas.
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A third electronic element is slowly introduced, which is part of the rhythmic element from the first movement, and helps to bridge the interlude to the second movement.
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Movement Two: Addition and Variation
The second movement is basically an extension of the first movement with a longer buildup to the drum section, a longer drum section, and a variation on the first piano theme.
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It also has a much longer middle section, where the first piano theme is supported by the electronic rhythmic element.
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An extended version of the second piano theme ends the second movement.
These new elements allow the duration of the second movement to more than double the first movement’s length without giving the artist too much repetition.
Interlude: Preparing for the Third Movement
This is essentially the same interlude as the first, with a longer length before the rhythmic element is introduced.
Movement Three: Linking Elements and Expansion
The third and final movement is a culmination of the first and second movements in an extended form, with a much longer drum and string section, and the first piano theme played in its entirety.
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The solo piano then plays the first theme as an outro.
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Compositional Style and Choice of Genre
The composition that is created is ultimately going to inspire and direct an artist of Live Art, so compositional style and choice of genre are of incredibly importance. Conceptual ideas can be discussed between the composer and the artist if the collaboration requires, while some projects may produce other interesting results if there is no prior communication. The point is that a composer needs to understand how different styles of music can affect an artist.
Final Thoughts
Writing music for artists of Live Art requires a different outlook on thematic development and variation. Since visual art shares a similar theory in regards to themes and variation, it is important to recognize how these technical traits can be portrayed in musical compositions and successfully interpreted by an artist. The key is to find an effective balance in the repetition and development of themes, and to add subtle textural nuances to spark creative ideas in the artist.
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Tags: compositional technique, listen, Live Art