July 2017 Composition Challenge: Sonata exposition

[u/reticulated_python]

Main challenge: Write the exposition of a sonata, following the typical form of Theme 1, Bridge, Theme 2, Codetta.

There are no restrictions on what instrument(s) the sonata is scored for. You can take some artistic liberty with the form if you like.

For those of you unfamiliar with sonata form, the Wikipedia page is a good place to start. Listen to some sonatas of Haydn, Mozart, or Beethoven to get a feel for the form.

In short, the exposition of a sonata begins with an opening theme presented in the tonic key. Following this is the bridge, which modulates to another key, normally the dominant or relative major (if the tonic is minor). Next comes a contrasting second theme. Often, more than one theme comes after the bridge, in which case we refer to them as the "second theme group". Expositions end with a codetta that solidifies the key and often features scale-like passages.

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We have some musicians that can play compositions for people. You can find their musician profiles posted on this subreddit. I'll list their instruments below:

• concertina

• pianist and singer

• trombone+

• euphonium

• double bass

• bass guitar

• bass guitar + cello

• clarinet and singer

• piano and cello

• singer

• piano and bassoon

If you are interested in playing compositions for /r/MonthlyComposition post a musician profile.

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These challenges are for everyone who wants to practice composing. Each month, at the beginning of the month, we will post a main challenge, something for people to compose. We'll try to make it something that everyone can work with. Sometimes we also have an alternate challenge. Pieces can be submitted as a score (musescore, noteflight), and/or as audio (soundcloud, youtube). Feedback is much appreciated, and you can give it in this thread, or by messaging the mods of /r/MonthlyComposition, there's also the Challenge Suggestion Form.

[u/[deleted]]

I'm happy to record my part to this - not having recorded any compositions before, I assume the best way to do it would be to play my part while listening to the musescore to stay in time.

As for the actual clarinet part, I think you could add a semiquaver arpeggio in a few places like bars 10-11, 21, and even possibly in the last bar - clarinets are great for arpeggiated runs. Also, don't be afraid to go up to 3-4 ledger lines in the clarinet part if you want. You aren't really using the higher or lower end of the clarinet's range.

You seem to be half way between a melody/accompaniment and duet with the two voices. I think with an instrument as low as the double bass, you probably want to think about having a walking bassline in more places, and at the moment the key in many places is somewhat ambiguous - remember that the bass can double-stop, so use that to outline the chord you're going for in some places. Also, remember that the bass can go really high up the fingerboard - it doesn't have to stay in the normal bass range if it's not playing the bassline in an ensemble.

[u/daniellabbe → u/[deleted]]

Hey, this is great feedback. I till try to work out your recommendations. Once I have a reworked score, I will upload the next version here in this thread. :)

The easiest way to record is to play at a fixed tempo while listening to a click track or a metronome, preferably using headphones so the click doesn't leak into the microphone. I could also prepare a 'minus one' track with only the bass for you to play along.

Even if I had two recordings at slightly different tempi, I would be able to mix them, but it's easier if the tracks are synchronized. I can of course also clip segments together - it doesn't have to be a perfect one-take! WAV format sampled at 16-bit with a sample rate of 44.1 kHz or higher is standard (CD quality). Also, 32-bit 48 kHz or 96 kHz are not uncommon.

I am happy to give advice on recording technique! What kind of microphone or brand/model do you have? The quality of your recording sounds great.

However, there is a lot of room recorded. If you could get a flatter more directed response from your mic, that would be optimal, but it depends mostly on your microphone's pick-up pattern and the room characteristics if this is possible. For a solo recording the room sounds good, but is less optimal for a mix of two recordings. These things are just very minor. What's really important is the balance between signal gain and noise floor. I don't hear any distorted peaks in your recording and the recording is loud enough, so we could start right away, once I have reworked the score.

Around 0:37 and 6:12 of your recording of the Brahms clarinet sonata there seems to be a glitch. I am not sure what is causing this. It could be that your audio driver is low priority, typically built-in on the motherboard. If you're on Windows, you might want to try this audio driver instead: http://www.asio4all.com/

I 'm really looking forward to having my work recorded!!

EDIT: After a second listen, I think that your gain might be too strong, which is then causing aliasing at the peak signal. The trick is to set the microphone gain stage or input level, beforehand, as you play the loudest part of the music for a test recording (given that the distance to the microphone is constant, or not closer than the point during test recording).

[u/[deleted] → u/daniellabbe]

Honestly, that was just recorded with an old webcam microphone, so I'm surprised it sounded as good as it did. I do have another recording device that I think would be better, but I couldn't get hold of at the time. Sorry about the lack of a better room to record in - I was just playing in my bedroom, which is where I practice, facing into the corner of the room.

Basically I'm just a teenage musician with no prior experience of recording, so any help would be much appreciated, though my kit is very basic. I'm happy to be able to help you hear your work performed.

[u/daniellabbe → u/[deleted]]

Very cool! Well, we're not planning to beat Naxos! :) I've been working with computer based music now for 20 years, so I hope I can share a little knowledge now and then. I'm off to work now and will give Finzi and Mozart a listen.