Sävellyksen tietopankki

Sävellyksen tietopankki

  • Assignments
    • Listening
    • Imagination & other arts
    • Musical elements
    • Musical structures and analysis
    • Music technology
    • Notation & music terminology
    • Playing an instrument & singing
    • Styles & techniques
    • Interaction & cooperation
    • Arrangements & parts
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37.

An image as the basis for a composition

How can elements and moods appearing in an image be represented in music? Analyse a selected image in the group and then create a sketch or a complete piece of music on the basis of the image, working alone or in small groups.

Assignment author
Marko Alastalo

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Basics

Skill level
Advanced level
Introductory level
Medium level
Specialised level
Group size
Individual tuition
Large group
Small group (2 to 8)
Minimum time required
1 lessons
2 lessons
One month

Goal and output

Pedagogical goal

Inspiring the imagination.

Extending musical conceptions through a cross-discipline approach.

Thinking about how an image and music differ from one another and what they have in common.

Concrete output

A musical sketch or composition based on the elements in a given image.

Preparation

An inspiring image is to be selected in advance by the teacher or a student to be used as the basis for a composition.

Work progress

• Look at the image together and analyse it. Consider, as applicable, the colours, shapes, rhythms, textures, structure, materials, composition, contrasts, mood, techniques used to create the image and the associations and feelings prompted by the image. If the image is figurative, also consider its content: narrative, environments, persons and situations.

• Discuss how the aforementioned elements of the image could be reflected in music. Also consider what differences there are between listening to music and looking at an image – in music, the composer and performer(s) define the time dimension of the experience, while with an image the viewer does so.

• Students are to create a musical sketch or composition based on the image and the discussion (using either traditional or graphic notation), making use of the elements and content of the image.

Topics in the assignment

Musical elements
Form; dramaturgy of music
Harmony; chords
Melody
Rhythm
Tonal colour; extended playing techniques
Musical structures and analysis
Analysis
Dynamics; articulation
Intervals
Octaves, registers
Scales, keys
Texture
Playing an instrument & singing
Ensemble playing
Extended playing techniques
Interpretation
Playing by ear
Sight-reading; solfège
Solo/Tutti
Using one's own voice; singing
Listening
Active listening
Reference works
Notation & music terminology
Graphic notation
Music terminology
Score
Traditional notation
Arranging & parts
Arranging
Instrumentation; orchestration
Parts
Music technology
Music technology; music technology
Improvisation & interaction
Cooperation
Following sound and movement
Improvisation; soundscape
Reaction; taking turns
Styles & techniques
Aleatorics
Concrete music
Counterpoint
Field technique
Imitation
Minimalism
Pointillism
Polyphony
Imagination & other arts
Dance; movement
Mood; imagination
Music theatre
Narrative composition
Photo; image
Text

Tools

Classroom instruments
Computer, tablet or smartphone
Keyboard
Music paper
Music technology
Notation software
Own instrument
Own voice
Percussion instruments
Photographs; images
Recordings or sheet music
Sequencer software
Stationery for taking notes
TV, computer screen or video projector

Detailed description of tools

Image, stationery, music paper if needed, keyboard or other instrument, notation software.

Further assignments

Assignment suitable for further study

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Other similar assignments
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Info

The Opus 1 composition pedagogy databank is a gateway to the wide world of musical composition. It offers all teachers and institutions providing music education an inspiring perspective on introductory composition teaching, including a wide range of composition assignments particularly suited to teaching at music institutes, whether in large or small groups or as individual tuition.

This package was designed and delivered by a working group of specialists in composition and composition pedagogy. The project was supported financially by the Foundation for Finnish Art Music and the Society of Finnish Composers.
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Contact information

Please contact us if you want to know more or to submit your own assignments for inclusion: opus1@composers.fi

© The authors
Design: Farm / Antti Kangassalo
Code: Call to Action
Photos: Markku Klami
English translation: Jaakko Mäntyjärvi

Skill levels

  • Introductory level
  • Medium level
  • Advanced level
  • Specialised level

The basics

  • Listening
  • Imagination & other arts
  • Musical elements
  • Musical structures and analysis
  • Music technology
  • Notation & music terminology
  • Playing an instrument & singing
  • Styles & techniques
  • Interaction & cooperation
  • Arrangements & parts
  • ALL ASSIGNMENTS