Music Composition


Class Notes 2

III. The Phrase
IV. The Irregular Phrase


 


Homework: Assignments 1-2 below

 

 

III. The Phrase

In language, the phrase is defined as " a small group of words standing together as a conceptual unit, typically forming a component of a clause." We may draw direct correlations to the definition of a musical phrase. A musical phrase is a small group of notes that stand together as a conceptual unit, typically forming a component of a larger structural form. It is a unit, conventionally four measures in length which is terminated by a cadential effect and is the structural basis of form.

a. A phrase is marked by a distinct beginning, a clear continuation and a cadential ending although that ending may be tentative.
b. A phrase, while an identifiably self-contained unit, requires the corroboration of other phrases with which it is interdependent.
c. A phrase will contain one or more motives than may be extended throughout the phrase.
d. In traditional music, especially that of the late eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, the phrase often consists of even numbered multiple of 2 measures and is very commonly 4 measures. This, however, is by no means a rule and there are plenty of examples of "irregular" phrase lengths
e. A hrase can also be composed of smaller structural divisions called "semi-phrases"

Mozart Gminor Symphony #40 Above @ 0:00  Menuetto (referenced below) @14:00

ASSIGNMENT 1:

1. Write 4 melodic motives and 2 rhythmic motives. Each motive should be between 1 beat and 8 beats long. Pick your 2 favorite melodic motives and label them "a" & "b" respectively. Pick your favorite rhythmic motive and label it "c"

2. Write 4 x four bar phrases using your expanded motives from (1) above and from Assignment 1 Class Notes 1. Be sure to create a clearly identifiable semi cadence at the end of 2 of these phrases and a clearly identifiable full cadence at the end of the other two. Remember, if you are writing non-syntactically, the "semi" and "full" cadential designations imply the relative finality of the phrase.

Be sure to include all dynamic, tempi, and articulation markings

 

IV. The Irregular Phrase

Irregular phrases that do not result in 2 or 4 bar structural units may occur as a result of

1. Repetition or Sequence of a motive or other element within the phrase
2. Prolongation of a tone within the phrase
3. Simple irregular phrase



ASSIGNMENT 2:

1. Create 4 irregular phrases using techniques 1,2 &3 above from alterations of Assignment 1 Class Notes 1 & Assignment 1 Class Notes 2.

Be sure to include all dynamic, tempi, and articulation markings

 

The Phrase Repetition

Sometimes we see a phrase repeated with possible variations in timbre, dynamics, and/or texture, When such a repition does not imply a larger structural unit, we designate the extended phrase as a "phrase repetition"