Music Information

Form - Giving Shape to Your Music


Do you ramble on endlessly with your improvisations? If so, good. This has its place in music making and in new age piano playing in particularly. Just listen to Michael Jones's music to hear an example of this kind of free-form improvisation.

Now, some of you want to create something that will give the listener a slightly more cohesive experience. How is this accomplished? By forming the music into a shape - an ABA shape for our purposes here. To give form to music does not require as much theory and technique as most people think. In fact, it is as simple as applying the principles of repetition and contrast.

In most new age piano music there is some kind of form that the composer uses whether it's extended "A" form ala Michael Jones, or extended "A" extended "B" and back to "A" again as in some of George Winston's music. Think in sections people. A section of music can last for as long as the person who created it is involved with it- that is, as long as the inspiration is fresh.

As soon as the music sounds dull it's time for a change - the next section of music. This is the point where a composer will add something-new (contrast) or, if she is smart, end the piece. If the music does not have that freshness, that touch of inspired in the moment fantasy, you'll be able to detect and hear it. Some composers are so in touch with their feeling that they can take you on a 20 or 30 minute journey using very little means - but by using the elements of repetition and contrast maintain listener interest.

First, get your "A" section. The first few bars (8 usually) is more than enough to propel you forward. You must adopt a listening attitude to hear what is coming next. You don't force nor will it into being. This will not give you what you want, which is, I'm assuming, inspired content. Listen, listen, listen and the music will come. If it doesn't just do what Beethoven did.

He worked on 3 or 4 pieces at a time. When the inspiration dried up on a particular piece he was working on, he just moved on to another and picked up on the others later on. You can do the same. Be bold and go forward. Don't be afraid of making mistakes. Be afraid of not trying.

Edward Weiss is a pianist/composer and webmaster of Quiescence Music's online piano lessons. He has been helping students learn how to play piano in the New Age style for over 14 years and works with students in private, in groups, and now over the internet. Stop by now at http://www.quiescencemusic.com/piano_lessons.html for a FREE piano lesson!


MORE RESOURCES:

Classical music
Minneapolis Star Tribune, MN - 6 hours ago
In his third appearance with the Chamber Music Society of Minnesota, Fleisher and duo partner Katherine Jacobson will play Ravel's "La Valse" and Schubert's ...
Pop music: A fall preview Minneapolis Star Tribune
all 4 news articles


Kanye West to Close Video Music Awards
New York Times, United States - 16 hours ago
The hip-hop star Kanye West will be the closing act at the 25th annual MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday, The Associated Press reported. ...
Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera to appear at MTV Video Music ... Telegraph.co.uk
MTV's VMAs: DOA? E! Online
Russell Brand looks to make big splash as VMA host Boston Herald
Hartford Courant - The Associated Press
all 1,315 news articles


E! Online

Michael Jackson snubs family reunion
Times of India, India - 7 hours ago
King of pop Michael Jackson snubbed his recent family reunion at the dinner hosted by BMI (Broadcast Music Inc.), honouring him and all of them in Los ...
Jacksons reunite at BMI Urban Awards The Associated Press
Janet Jackson Honors Her Brothers At BMI Awards eFluxMedia
BMI Honors The Jacksons, T-Pain and Many More at Urban Awards in ... MarketWatch
Urban Network - Entertainment Tonight News
all 237 news articles


Canada.com

Napster to Offer Digital Music Service across Wide Range of Lenovo ...
MarketWatch - Sep 5, 2008
the pioneer of digital music, and Lenovo today announced a co-marketing agreement under which Napster's award-winning music subscription service will be ...
New Lenovo PCs offer free Napster service CNET News
Napster faces challenges within and without Reuters
Napster offers free trial on Lenovo PCs Electronista
socalTech.com
all 24 news articles


Gigwise

Musical taste linked to personality
The Press Association - 42 minutes ago
Heavy metal fans are gentle, indie music listeners lack self-esteem and lovers of pop music are uncreative, according to research. ...
Research shows music taste defines your personality 3 News NZ
Musical tastes reveal personality – study Dispatch Online
Classical to Rap: Music lovers have much more in common than you ... Independent
BBC News - CBC.ca
all 76 news articles


The Times-Picayune - NOLA.com

Man found shot to death on Music Street
The Times-Picayune - NOLA.com, LA - 50 minutes ago
Robert Santinac, who lived somewhere on Music Street, was the city's first murder victim since Aug. 30, a day before New Orleans officials ordered residents ...
PHOTOS: Murder on Music Street The Times-Picayune - NOLA.com
all 2 news articles


Singersroom News

The Baddest Chicks In The Music Biz Bond Over Cancer (Photo)
Singersroom News, NY - 2 hours ago
Thirteen of the baddest and most talented female performers in the music business, (LR) Keyshia Cole, Leona Lewis, Fergie, Ciara, Mariah Carey, Beyonce, ...


Times Online

The mountain music of North Carolina
Times Online, UK - 30 minutes ago
Some call the sound they make “bluegrass”, some “old time”, some “mountain music”: whatever the name, it’s an anomaly in a nation dominated by slick ...


Backstage Pass

'Fashion Rocks' kicks off Fashion Week
Newsday, NY - 3 hours ago
After all, the Fashion Week kick-off event, celebrating its fifth anniversary, was faced with an organizational challenge -- nearly all of music's most ...
Video: Celebs Rock Out at Fashion Rocks Concert AssociatedPress
Rihanna Shines at Star-Studded 'Fashion Rocks' Entertainment Tonight News
Fashion Week Starts Strong with Fashion Rocks E! Online
all 16 news articles


Genoa music teacher killed in crash
Port Clinton News Herald, OH - 8 hours ago
By KRISTINA SMITH HORN • Watchdog/enterprise reporter • September 6, 2008 WOODVILLE TOWNSHIP -- A Genoa pianist and music teacher died Friday after her car ...

Music - Google News

home | site map
© 2006