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Light for the First Time (Expressive Techniques (Instrumental and Vocal…
Light for the First Time
Pitch
Melody
Contour
As the piece progresses, a wider set of pitches develops, resulting in more ascending/descending movement.
Most of the lines are moving through stepwise movement, or through small leaps (3rds-4ths).
Mostly arch or wave shapes.
Range:
Overall range of the work: Lowest note (B2) seen at the end of the piece. Highest note (C7) seen at the climax of the piece (Section E!). This reflects the overall structre and shape of the piece, with the climax near the middle/end.
In the aleatoric sections, sections of previous melodic material are reused as aleatoric cells.
Countermelody: At certain sections, there is a counter melody played. Eg. At Section D2, the Piano and Vibraphone play a melody, then the flute and other instruments enter with a counter melody.
Harmony
Chordal sections played by the vibraphone and piano (eg. Section C), are built on 2nds.
Playing intervals (in Section D2), 2nds, 3rds, 4ths, 6ths. Avoiding 5ths, played by the piano and vibraphone
No modulations, as there is no clear tonal center
During section B, Vibraphones and Piano play a chordal drone
Tonality
Use of a pitch set in different sections. Eg. Section A:D-E-F-G-A. Section D: C-D-E-F
No clear tonal center
Duration
Meter
Various meters used throughout (4/2. 3/2, 4/4)
Beat
Very weak, almost non-existent sense of pulse
Rhythm
Begins with very long notes (breves and tied notes) in the very start of the piece. As the work progresses, shorter note values are used, creating greater sense of activity.
Alternating pulses between instruments.
Example sentence: In section B, the chordal instruments (vibraphone, piano) play longer sustained notes while the other instruments play various rhythmic patterns.
Tempo
Length of time for some sections marked in score
Tone Colour
Combining sound sources
This piece is composed for an ensemble.
Instrumental and Vocal Techniques
Sound Sources: All acoustic.
Bass Clarinet
Makes sound by blowing air, causing the reed to vibrate.
Violin
Makes sound by causing the string to vibrate, either using the bow or plucking.
See it here
Here you can also see how bowing the strings causes the string to vibrate.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6JeyiM0YNo4
Vibraphone
Makes sound when the bars vibrate. They also have motor-powered fans that enhance the resonance of the sound.
See it here
Flute
Makes sound when air is blown through, causing it to vibrate.
See it here
Piano
Makes sound when the strings vibrate, usually when struck by the hammers.
See it here
Descriptions of Tone Colour
Flute
Warm, rounded, bright, floaty
Virbraphone
Bell-like, ringing, resonant, echo-y
Violin
Bright, whispery, chocolate-y, warm
Piano
Resonant, crisp, clean, mellow (middle register), booming (lower register)
Bass Clarinet
Breathy/airy (particularly at the start with the air note), woody, rounded, warm.
Dynamics
Changes in dynamics levels
Overall, the piece develops from soft, growing to the climax at section E, then fading away by the end of the piece.
Emphasis on sounds
There are very few sounds which 'stick out' in the sound world of this piece. Sounds are 'melded' together smoothly.
Dynamics levels
Numerous dynamic levels marked throughout, ranging from ppp - f.
Each section has its own dynamic range.
Texture
Layers
At the start of the piece, only the bass clarinet is heard. The violin is then added, followed by the piano and other instruments (Staggered Entry)
In each section, each instrument has a different role. When playing longer sustained notes, they have harmonic roles/drone. When playing melodies, they have a melodic or countermelodic role.
Melodic lines played by one instrument are 'nearly' imitated by another.
Density
Overall: Gradually thickening of texture, achieved through addition of instrumental layers, sustained chords, and changes in dynamics.
Type of Texture
Different textures throughout the piece.
Polyphonic: In the sections where numerous melodic lines are being played (eg. Section A, aleatoric Section E).
Monophonic: At the very start of the piece where it is only bass clarinet being played.
Homophonic: When there are chords being held and a single melodic line (Eg. Section D1, where piano played a single melodic line against a sustained 'C' drone)
Expressive Techniques
Electronic Manipulation
In the full version of the performance, yes. There are auxiliary percussion, or tapes used to gradually move the sound between the ensemble and the audience
Instrumental and Vocal Techniques
Bass Clarinet
Air notes - Blowing air into the instrument. This is an extended technique.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n39DpHDkfOA&list=PLr92TO7UHICBqIYoDtuMHMw1kTuPvOkxE&index=20
Fluttertonguing
Violin
Arco (bowed) - creates a smooth sustained sound
Ricochet - 'bouncing on the strings'
Flute
Flutter tonguing
Piano
Use of damper pedal
Vibraphone
Use of mallets to create sound
Arco - using the bow to create sound by bowing the bars.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cWnIjLgQQuU&index=23&list=PLr92TO7UHICBqIYoDtuMHMw1kTuPvOkxE&t=0s
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Articulation (how the note is attacked)
Staccato - Short and detached. This is achieved in different ways on each instrument.
Legato - Smooth and connected.
Tremolo - Rapid repetition of notes. Achieved in different ways on each instrument
Ornamentation
Grace notes are used to expand the pitch set, particularly in the earlier sections of the piece.
'Z' notation to show addition of Tremolo, flutter tongue, or repeated notes, as chosen by the performer.
Stylistic indications
Throughout the score, various indications of mood and character are given in text above the notes. Eg: "Adding volume and intensity"
Tempo Indications
While it says the tempo is 46 minim beats per bar, this piece is very free and not strictly rhythmic. This allows the players to take more expressive freedom with rhythm.
Structure
Macro
Sections A,B, C, D, D1, D2, D3, E!, E1, E2, F
Overall, organic growth from a small concept, then fade away
Not any traditional form.
Micro
Use of repeats to repeat certain bars a specified number of times.
Aleatoric section
Aleatoric cells are provided. Performers decide on the entries, exits and order these cells are played.
