Hi everybody!

I'm stuck on my GCSE composition.

I would like to do a Romantic piece, something in either ternary or rondo form (or sonata form, perhaps?). The sections would contrast in tempo and dynamics, and the piece would be for solo piano, in a minor key. I have Finale 2007 and I've been playing about on my own piano but nothing so far has been remotely good enough. I have no idea what I'm doing and my knowledge of harmony is pathetic...
I won't see my teacher for at least another week and I want to get a head start.

Another problem: I'm doing AQA, and what "Special Event" music requires a solo piano playing what I want to compose?

Any tips to help me get the most out of my composition?

~Mike~

Sit yourself down with some manuscript paper and a pencil at your piano and choose a key and a time signature that appeals to you. Then play about with a few notes until you have a two-bar phrase that you like. Add an answering phrase and you have the makings of a piece. You can add harmonies by trial and error and see what evolves. Don't set out to write a certain piece but rather just play with some ideas and see what emerges. If you have a theme in mind that will help too. Perhaps writing a descriptive piece in free form will be easier than a set form. Good luck. Composing is great fun.

Thanks so much.
I'll take your advice on board...this will really help with my composition!

I think if this was me I would turn the problem on its head. Start with the special event: what is it? Leaving party? Wedding? School prom? Hoe Down? Graduation ceremony? Wake? That will obviously have a big bearing on the mood and form of the piece! If you are already set on a Romantic feel with a definite structural shape as you describe then perhaps an engagement party or something like that suggests itself rather than a major state occasion!

I'd tend to go for ternary form in this case as I think of rondo as quite a lighthearted form. And sonata form is quite ambitious, unless you are quite practised in developing your musical ideas quite extensively.
The other thing I would suggest is that if you do go for ternary form, think about perhaps introducing the middle section in the related major, to reinforce that contrasts of tempo and dynamics.....

Good luck - hope the ideas are coming a bit more freely now!

Wow, thanks! Can't wait to try that stuff out! I'll definitely take your advice on board about the special event: I had no idea where Romantic music would be used like that. Thank you so much.

I'd say to just let your feelings flow Since it's a romantic composition. Good luck with it all I left mine till the end and had to give it all in before the half term so I had a week to compose a piece similar in style to my solo which was one of the easiest grade 5 pieces but the composition was hard work and I'm soo happy I've finished it. Whatever you do, don't leave it to the end.

Try www.playpiano.com
They have useful tips that i use in my own compositions