Variations

 

Lesson 30

February 4th, 2022

Lesson 30

Lecture notes:
  • There are multiple types of variations, inclusive of the continuous variation, sectional variation, figural variation, chromatic variation, textural variation, and timbral variation.
  • The continuous variation is the continuous flow of a musical idea and a Fortspinnung phrase structure. This variation type was widely used in the Baroque era of music.
  • Fortspinnung is the development process of a specific musical motif. First, the motif in question is developed into a complete musical using sequences, intervallic changes, and simple repetitions.
  • There are two different types of continuous variations. Ground bass or passacaglia and chaconne. The ground bass/passacaglia is when there is a repeating bass line, and only the upper voices change or vary. In the chaconne, the harmonic progression is repeated and varied while the bass remains the same for several successive variations, but it eventually becomes altered as the piece progresses. 
  • The sectional variation is when a variation is harmonically closed. This means that the variation can stand independently and ends with a strong conclusive cadence. This variation type also revolves around a theme, usually consisting of a 16-measure phrase. Additionally, this variation type became popular in the classical era of music.
  • The figural variation is the embellishment of a specific pattern or characteristic motive that's featured throughout the variation.
  • The chromatic variation involves the inclusion of modal mixtures and or a complete change in mode.
  • The textural variation involves the thinness or thickness of voicing or the simplicity/complexity of rhythms in a respective variation. This variation type also highlights the polyphonic or contrapuntal variations. This can be contrasted by changing from a single voice to multiple harmonic voices.
  • The timbral variation transfers musical sections from one instrument to another. This strategy can help provide a different sound due to the timbre of instruments, allowing for different textures and instrumental colors.
  • A musical "topic" refers to variations designed to represent a particular style or character. This was widely used in the classical and romantic eras, and it was used to evoke the thought of a location, activity, emotion, or musical style. When a variation sticks to the topic it evoked through its entirety, it is called a character variation.

The photo above shows a variation in the famous nursery rhyme "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star."
Photo Credit: (https://www.virtualsheetmusic.com/score/Variations.html)


The photo above shows sectional variation. At the first and second repeat, you can see that both sections can stand alone due to the strong conclusive cadence. Photo Credit: (https://kaitlinbove.com/binary-form-and-theme-variation)


The video above gives an audible example of variations, showcasing a song sung and repeated in six different musical styles. Video Credit: Brian Gossard (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iXRWlDR7aXE)


The video above showcases Carol Jantsch playing variations of Frosty the Snowman on Tuba. She is the principal tuba player in the Philadelphia Orchestra. Video Credit: Dr. Selfridge Music (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zzsl1vRXCUE)





The score above features a composition I wrote over a given bass line. I will be playing the trombone part for you.


The video above is the midi recording of the score above.




This is the trombone part extracted from the score above.


This is me playing the trombone part from the music above the video.

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