This project enables young students to come to terms with the complexities of sonata form in a creative and manageable way. Derived from a simple aural analysis made by 14 year olds of a movement from a Mozart piano sonata using uncomplicated words and terminology, a template is presented in which students need only to compose seven melodic fragments to produce a convincing sonata form exposition. There is no need to use a computer at all for this project, but sequencing software certainly helps: (a) to link the 7 fragments in a way which does not overwhelm the students; (b) to enable the teacher to suggest all manner of further possiblities by annotating interim print outs; (c) to ease the non-pianist into working with effective chordal accompaniments. Despite the fairly rigid template, students will take their own liberties and it is always astonishing to hear the variety of pieces which a class produces after a few weeks working at this project.
2-5 No: 6-8 No: 9-11 No; 12-13 perhaps with occasional gifted students; 14-15 works well with a well-motivated class; 16-17 very suited; 18+ very suited
Students should be able to write short simple melodies in simple keys (C and G majors); understand both theoretically and practically what the primary (I, IV, V) chords are in these keys and have some experience applying them in accompaniments; compose a sequential phrase. Amphion presents many of these in the Villagers' Dance, making this a very useful follow-on project.
The aim of the project is to give students the opportunity of working in a large-scale and complex form in a way which is neither inhibiting for them, nor dry. By creating their own exposition section they will gain insight into the expressive potential of much Classical, Romantic and 20th Century music; have a basis for understanding large scale compositions through further listening; and produce a final composition of imposing length, balance and complexity.
Preparatory notes for the teacher
Student Worksheet click: for html. format - - - for pdf. format
Information sheet on the Classical period and the Classical style.
There are no MIDI files necessary to start this project.
For information and illustration here is a sample of files showing students work in different stages of progress. Reference to the student worksheet is advised.
Finished Expositions
Al Mozart 1 (Bahusi - pair work)
Al Mozart 2 (Babsicat - pair work)
Al Mozart 3 (JRoss - individual work)
Stages in creating an exposition
Al Mozart 4 (Caipon1 - 7 unlinked tracks)
Al Mozart 5 (Caipon 2 - First linking + some accompaniment ideas)
Al Mozart 6 (Caipon 3 - Finished exposition)
Full sonata movement (extended project)
Al Mozart 7 (Aldric - Exposition - Development - Recapitulation)
The project requires no notated material. Interim print-outs as per the MIDI files 4, 5 & 6 above will help students, especially if teachers annotate them with comments and suggestions for improvement.
See teacher preparation notes.
Worksheet for the "development"
Worksheet for the "recapitulation"
Information sheet on the Classical period and Classical style
What you would do next to consolidate what the students have learned?