GACE Music Composition & Improv

Discuss the role of improvisation in musical creativity

Improvisation is the driving force of creativity in music.

Can foster freer musical creativity with a track

Students can explore different harmonies and melodies.

There is more independent melodic, harmonic and rhythmic improv

Discuss techniques for teaching musical imitation as an improvisational method

Improv cannot exist without limitation.

Imitation allows students to learn techniques.

The teacher should pick music that is easily imitated which can give students Total Immersion.

Discuss techniques for teaching musical variation as an improvisational method

Much of improv consists of variation.

The teacher should pick music with slight variations. 

This gives the students a framework to explore melodic variation.

Call-and-Response technique is great to work on

Compare and Contrast Baroque improvisation and Jazz improvisation

Baroque Improv was a religious element. Centered around string instruments.

Jazz Improv was born in New Orleans. Brass, Voices, Drums, and Banjos all improvised. 

Both styles feature a prominent section with a supporting Harmony section. 

Both styles follow a standard form and are based on outlined chord symbols that direct the melody.

Describe the necessary musical skills for composing a harmonic progression with proper root motion

The Circle of Fifths must be understood.

Scales have formulas which help understand Diatonic Harmony.

Students must understand all inversions of Triads and Seventh chords.

Voice leading for all SATB voices is also important

Describe the appropriate sequence in teaching musical units leading to basic composition

Notation, Musical Patterns, Treble Clef, Meter, Bar lines, Measures, Staffs, Octave, and Intervals

Theme and Variation helps to identify patterns

Teachers should use highly imaginative examples to show Sound patterning.

Students focus more on compositional techniques when they use imagination

Compare and discuss the differences between Contrary motion, Parallel, Similar, and Oblique motion.

Contrary Motion is 2 musical lines moving in Opposite direction.

Parallel Motion is 2 musical lines moving in the Same direction.

Similar Motion is 2 musical lines moving in a similar way either up or down.

Oblique Motion is 2 musical lines moving where one line stays while the other line moves up or down

Discuss 5 to 7 types of dissonance found in tonal counterpoint

Cambiata moves:

Down a 2nd to a Dissonant pitch

Down a 3rd to a Consonant pitch

Up a 2nd to be Dissonant or Consonant. 

Appoggiatura:

Leap to a dissonance followed by a descending step.

Suspension:

Dissonance tone on a Downbeat

Resolved Downward by Step

Passing tone:

Moves in Stepwise motion through two Consonant tones.

Neighbor tone:

Moves in Stepwise motion and Returns to the Original Consonant tone.

Escape tone:

Approached by step

Resolved by a leap in the opposite direction. 

Define the following interval types: Perfect, Major, minor, diminished, Augmented

A Perfect Interval only refers to the Unison, 4th, 5th, & Octave

diminished is when a Perfect Interval is lowered by a Half-step

Augmented is when a Perfect Interval is raised by a Half-step

Major intervals refer to the 2nd, 3rd, 6th, & 7th

minor is when a major interval is lowered by a Half-step

diminished is when a minor interval is lowered by a Half-step

Compare and contrast the relative minor and parallel minor of a certain major key

Every diatonic major scale has a relative minor and parallel minor of that scale.

The Relative minor scale shares the Same Key Signature as the major.

The Major keys and relative minors share more in common, so its easier to transpose. 

The Parallel minor scale only shares the Same Tonic Pitch.

The parallel minor keys only share a dominant chord.

List the 4 main clef commonly used in orchestral writing, and the instruments that typically employ each clef.

4 Main Clefs - Treble, Alto, Tenor, Bass

Treble Clef (G-Clef) - spiral circles the G line - Piano & Violin

Alto Clef (C-Clef) - Middle point rests on the 3rd line Middle C - Viola

Tenor Clef - Middle points rests on the 4th line - Cello & Bassoon

Bass Clef (F-Clef) -Two dots surround the F line - Double bass, Trombone

Compare and contrast the instruments typically found in a concert band and a symphonic band.

Both include Woodwinds and Percussion.

The Concert Band focuses on popular band music and orchestral transcriptions. There are 40-50 performers. 

2 flutes, 2 oboes, two bassoons, 3 clarinets, 1 bass clarinet, 4 saxophones, 4 horns, 3 trumpets, 3 trombones, 1 baritone, 1 tuba, 3 to 4 percussion.

The Symphonic Band is like a symphonic orchestra. There are 90-120 performers. 

Instruments include - String bass, piccolo, English horn, bass trombone.

List the 4 conventional parts of Four-Part Harmony and the general ranges of each part.

Highest to Lowest - Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass

Soprano range: C4 to A5

Alto range: F3 to D5

Tenor range: B3 to G4

Bass range: E2 to C4

Baritone range: G2 to E4

Mezzo-soprano: A3 to F5

The Voice is one of the most Complex Instruments because it can be so different for each person. 

Describe the standard instrumentation of the concert band is prescribed by members of the American Band Association

2 Flutes, 2 Oboes, 2 Bassoons, 3 Clarinets, 1 Bass Clarinet, 4 Saxophones, 4 Horns, 3 Trumpets, 3 Trombones, 1 Baritone, 1 Tuba, 3 or 4 Percussion. 

Describe the roles of each instrument family within the Classical orchestra in regards to melody and accompaniment

Classical era is highly homophonic with a focus on melody with an accompaniment. 

Wind section has a more melodic role

Bassoon has the bass line.

Brass began to start being used. 

The Baroque era had Strings and Winds doubled to play certain lines.

1st Violins were dominant and lower strings were the background. Wind parts were simplified.