Sävellyksen tietopankki

Sävellyksen tietopankki

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8.

Small assignment: Arrangement for piano 6–12 hands

Explore playing inside a grand piano to stimulate the imagination. Create an arrangement to be played on piano with 6 to 12 hands.

Assignment author
Sanna Ahvenjärvi

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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

Creating an imaginative and colourful arrangement to be played on the piano by multiple players

Concrete output

Arrangement for piano, multiple players

Work progress

- The goal is to create an arrangement for piano 6 to 12 hands of an existing piece.

- The reference work is the version created by The Pianoguys of One Direction – 'What makes you beautiful'. Talk about the different ways that you can play a grand piano.

- Have students select a piece to arrange using various playing techniques:
• find a piece that does not have too many chords in it

• one student may play the melody on the piano keyboard
• a couple of students may play bass notes inside the piano using mallets
• a couple of students may play accompanying notes inside the piano by plucking high strings with fingers, plectrums or plastic cards

- The piano can be prepared if desired, for instance by laying a chain across the strings.

- Write down the arrangement in the form of a score.

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

A grand piano is ideal for this assignment, but it can be done using an upright piano too, although it is far more challenging to play inside an upright piano than a grand piano. You will also need mallets, material for preparing the piano (e.g. a chain) and plectrums or plastic cards for plucking or scratching the strings.

Additional material

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, maintained by the Society of Finnish Composers, 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.
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Contact information

Please contact us if you want to know more: 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