Assignment Four: Ground Plan

In preparation for assignment four, I decided to do a brief brainstorm to generate ideas and inspiration. I often find thinking of an initial idea quite difficult, but the creative process flows more or less smoothly once that catalyst is established. I don't necessarily expect to use all of the ideas generated, but at least I'll have options on the table to use. The starting points I thought of are as follows:

• Length - About 3 minutes (required).

• Use syncopated motif (start with rest) - can be used for ties later in the piece. See Bach's Two-Part Invention No.2.

• Use non-tonal scale or mode for an exotic flavour.

• Use irregular time signature.

• Borrow motif from famous piece.

• Woodwind and percussion combo. Consider changing percussion during piece. Have alternating woodwind? (perhaps different woodwind for augmented middle section, see below).

• Augmented section in middle with 'simulates' slowing down, before resuming normal note values.

• Include stretto (descending overlapping subject) near end.

• Use a floriatura (an ornamental flourish of notes, often of an irregular value compared to the lower 'voice', i.e. 22 over 6. Frequently used in piano music by Chopin).

With these vague concepts in place, the plan is to open Sibelius 7 and decide on the key (if applicable), instrumentation, time signature, and finally devise a subject which will form the basis of my invention.