Embark on a transformative journey with our new online course, “Classical Music Composition: From Sentences to Sonata.” This course is crafted especially for those of you who yearn to grasp the rich tapestry of classical music, tailored for theory students, composition enthusiasts, and anyone eager to delve deeper into this timeless art form. It promises not only to teach you the formal structures but also to empower you to imbue your personal style and signature into your compositions.
We understand how disheartening it can be, navigating through endless YouTube tutorials or struggling to find a course that truly speaks to your musical aspirations, one that resonates with your unique creative voice. This course is designed to meet you right where you are, addressing the very challenges you face. Inspired by Arnold Schoenberg’s seminal work “Fundamentals of Musical Composition,” our curriculum explores the foundational elements of classical music across the Baroque, Classical, and Romantic periods, guiding you through the ‘why’ behind the music, not just the ‘how.’
Through a series of engaging lessons, hands-on assignments, and supportive feedback, this course is meticulously structured to nurture your own creative voice within the disciplined forms of classical music. Whether you’re a music theory student eager to expand your knowledge, a composition student refining your skills, or simply passionate about acquiring a deeper understanding of classical music, this course is specifically designed with you in mind.
Join us to explore the beautiful complexities of classical music composition. We are committed to supporting and accompanying you every step of the way, ensuring you not only achieve technical proficiency but also discover and cultivate your unique musical voice in a warm and responsive educational environment.
Let’s start this musical journey together—enrol now and transform your passion into a masterpiece.
Module 1: Introduction to Musical Composition
Introduction to Baroque, Classical, and Romantic music.
Key composers and their contributions.
Module 2: The Basics of Musical Sentences and Periods
Understanding Schoenberg’s perspective on musical composition.
Basic elements: Motif, Theme, Development.
Coordination of Melody and Harmony
Building motive forms from one, two and three harmonies in major mode
Building motive forms from one, two and three harmonies in minor mode
Building Musical Periods
Understanding phrases and phrase structures: Antecendant and Consequent
Analysis of periods in music composition.
Practical Composition Exercises: Composing simple sentences and periods.
Module 3: Developing Themes and Motives
Thematic Development
Techniques for developing and varying themes.
Schoenberg’s methods for thematic transformation.
The Melodic Line: Analysis and examples
Motivic Development
Exploration of motif in composition.
Practical exercises on motif manipulation.
The accompaniment, the character and the mood
What is an accompaniment?
Historical Development of Accompaniment
The Role of Harmony in Accompaniments
Compositional Strategies for Effective Accompaniments
Module 4: Introduction to Binary and Ternary Forms
Understanding Binary Form
Analysis and compositional techniques for binary form.
Exploring Ternary Form
Detailed study and practical applications of ternary form.
Module 5: Theme and Variations and Rondo Forms
Techniques for creating variations.
Analysis of classical examples.
Composing Rondo Forms
Understanding structure and techniques for Rondo form composition.
Module 6: Minuet and Trio and Scherzo Forms
Composing Minuet and Trio
Study of Minuet and Trio structure and its historical context.
Practical composition exercises.
The Scherzo Form
Characteristics and evolution of the Scherzo.
Analysis of Scherzo examples from Beethoven to Brahms.
Module 7: Introduction to Sonata Form
Elements of Sonata Form
Exposition, Development, and Recapitulation.
Key works in Sonata form from each classical period.
Analysis of Sonata Examples
Detailed study of sonata forms in classical music.
Analysis of masterpieces by Mozart, Beethoven, and others.
Module 8: Composition Projects
Planning and Outlining the structure of your choice
Introduction to the Jan LaRue Five Contributing Elements
Techniques for planning and structuring your form.
Preparation for the final composition project
- Title: Classical Music Composition: From Sentences to Sonata
- Objective: To guide students through the fundamentals of musical composition in classical music using Schoenberg’s principles, focusing on structure, thematic development, and form.
- Target Audience: Music students, composers, and enthusiasts with basic knowledge of music theory.
- Duration: 24 weeks
- Format: Weekly lessons, assignments, and a final project.
Assessment
- Weekly assignments: Analyze and create short musical forms.
- Midterm project: Compose a complete piece using binary or ternary form.
- Final project: Compose a full-length piece in sonata form, presented and critiqued in class.
Additional Resources
- Recommended readings from Schoenberg’s works. and Caplin’s “Analyzing Classical Music”
- Listening assignments covering key compositions from Baroque, Classic and Romantic periods.
- Online forums for discussion and peer feedback and material produced by Gisela Paterno and Juan Rezzuto.
Course Information
Course Instructor
Module 1: Introduction to Musical Composition
Introduction to Baroque, Classical, and Romantic music.
Key composers and their contributions.
Module 2: The Basics of Musical Sentences and Periods
Understanding Schoenberg’s perspective on musical composition.
Basic elements: Motif, Theme, Development.
Coordination of Melody and Harmony
Building motive forms from one, two and three harmonies in major mode
Building motive forms from one, two and three harmonies in minor mode
Building Musical Periods
Understanding phrases and phrase structures: Antecendant and Consequent
Analysis of periods in music composition.
Practical Composition Exercises: Composing simple sentences and periods.
Module 3: Developing Themes and Motives
Thematic Development
Techniques for developing and varying themes.
Schoenberg’s methods for thematic transformation.
The Melodic Line: Analysis and examples
Motivic Development
Exploration of motif in composition.
Practical exercises on motif manipulation.
The accompaniment, the character and the mood
What is an accompaniment?
Historical Development of Accompaniment
The Role of Harmony in Accompaniments
Compositional Strategies for Effective Accompaniments
Module 4: Introduction to Binary and Ternary Forms
Understanding Binary Form
Analysis and compositional techniques for binary form.
Exploring Ternary Form
Detailed study and practical applications of ternary form.
Module 5: Theme and Variations and Rondo Forms
Techniques for creating variations.
Analysis of classical examples.
Composing Rondo Forms
Understanding structure and techniques for Rondo form composition.
Module 6: Minuet and Trio and Scherzo Forms
Composing Minuet and Trio
Study of Minuet and Trio structure and its historical context.
Practical composition exercises.
The Scherzo Form
Characteristics and evolution of the Scherzo.
Analysis of Scherzo examples from Beethoven to Brahms.
Module 7: Introduction to Sonata Form
Elements of Sonata Form
Exposition, Development, and Recapitulation.
Key works in Sonata form from each classical period.
Analysis of Sonata Examples
Detailed study of sonata forms in classical music.
Analysis of masterpieces by Mozart, Beethoven, and others.
Module 8: Composition Projects
Planning and Outlining the structure of your choice
Introduction to the Jan LaRue Five Contributing Elements
Techniques for planning and structuring your form.
Preparation for the final composition project