Things to Consider when Composing (5 of 9)

[From a 9-part handout for my introductory composition class.]

V. How to Extend or Develop Musical Materials; Specific Suggestions (may be used in combination with one another)
Repeat…	Vary…	Extend…
•…with different dynamic	•…selected motives (i.e., a, or b, or c, etc.)	• …a + b +b' (or a+b+a', etc.)
•…in a different register	•…truncate	• … continue with similar intervals, i.e., la-do-ti-fa, la-do-ti-fa-mi-so, la-do-ti-fa-mi-so-di-re, etc.
•…with different orchestration	•…invert, retrograde, retrograde inversion	• … reorder same pitches, i.e., la-do-ti-fa, do-ti-la-fa, la-ti-fa-do, etc.
•…with different harmony	•…insert/subtract rests	• … combine previous two, i.e., la-do-ti-fa, la-ti-fa-mi, so-fi-la-si-ti-la-fa-mi, etc.
•…in a different mode	•…reorder, interpolate (insert), substitute	• … using similar or different rhythms.
•…with different counterpoint	•…make nonretrogradable	• … make sequence
•…with different texture (i.e., pointillism, thicker, thinner, etc.)	•…rhythm	• …turn into a transition (how? Discuss…)
•…with different accompaniment figure	•…shift rhythmic emphasis, rotate	• …add dissimilar materials
•…in a different tempo	•…augmentation or diminution of all or any portion	• … gradually change character.
•…in a different meter	•…mode	• … create a dialogue
•…in a different key/transposition	•…articulation	• …reverse roles (melody/accompaniment)
•…with overlap	•…selected intervals	• …continue linear contour

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