In this episode of composing for the piano we take the Music Matters theme and present it as a Waltz in Romantic style. The Music Matters theme was originally written in 4 time. By converting it into 3 time with some rhythmic reorganisation this arrangement by Gareth presents the same theme in Waltz character. The video also demonstrates how to write an effective texture on three levels, with the melody at the top, chord stability in the middle, and with a faster-moving rolling left hand generating rhythmic momentum as well as providing the bass and further filling out the chords. There are also some changes to the harmony to illustrate other possibilities for harmonisation.
to the piece
1:08 - Looking at the harmony
4:24 - Rhythmic choices in the melody
4:48 - Thinking about texture
5:34 - What does it sound like?
PabloD120: Hi Gareth. Another wonderful video, so thorough and well explained! I actually have a small question regarding the stem direction / beaming. Ive alway thought that the stem direction is determining from finding the farthest note from the middle line of a staff, seeing whether its above or below that mid-line, and writing the stems in the opposite direction. But then Id read something contradictory, that its not the farthest note from the central line that counts, but the number of notes above or below it that determine stem direction. In the first bar, in the accompaniment, the stems all go down, even though the low E flat is farther from the mid-line than the high B flat. So Im wondering whether it proves that its the number of notes from the mid-line that determines stem direction, rather than the odd note that may be farthest from it. Or does common sense play a role - since visually the bar is so much easier to read this way with the stems down? Many thanks in advance! Date: 2022-03-28
