Performing and composition ideas
There are musical elements that are associated with the Romantic period1825 - 1900. and Johannes Brahms’ writing. These should be used when composing or performing a piece of music reflecting this period of time. The table delivers information to regard if asked to perform or compose.
| In performance | In composing | |
| Instrumentation and texture | Understand which notes a particular instrument can play and the types of sound it can produce, and practice tricky sections. | Think about specific instrumental techniques to help the solo instrument sound virtuosic, eg double stopping on stringed instruments. |
| Melody | As melodies get longer, think about the shape and how to develop them over time. Remember that even long instrumental melodies still have phrase structures and shapes that need to be expressed carefully in performance. | Compose a rhythm or select a few notes to improvise around, and experiment with ideas. Remember the theme will be repeated throughout a piece so it should be memorable. Include long sustained notes to create a lyrical, emotional melody. |
| Harmony | Extended or chromatic chords give particular expressive effects and can be used to execute key moments in a performance. Know where these chords are and emphasise them appropriately in a performance. | Harmonise the theme using chords which the orchestra can play. Adding sevenths or ninths to a triad creates rich harmonies, similar to those used in the Romantic period. |
| Texture | It is important to understand the role each instrument plays within a piece. | Vary the way in which the melody is accompanied to create contrast in your piece, eg have a solo melody accompanied by chords, or harmonise the melody but write the same rhythm for each part for a homophonic texture. |
| Instrumentation and texture | |
| In performance | Understand which notes a particular instrument can play and the types of sound it can produce, and practice tricky sections. |
| In composing | Think about specific instrumental techniques to help the solo instrument sound virtuosic, eg double stopping on stringed instruments. |
| Melody | |
| In performance | As melodies get longer, think about the shape and how to develop them over time. Remember that even long instrumental melodies still have phrase structures and shapes that need to be expressed carefully in performance. |
| In composing | Compose a rhythm or select a few notes to improvise around, and experiment with ideas. Remember the theme will be repeated throughout a piece so it should be memorable. Include long sustained notes to create a lyrical, emotional melody. |
| Harmony | |
| In performance | Extended or chromatic chords give particular expressive effects and can be used to execute key moments in a performance. Know where these chords are and emphasise them appropriately in a performance. |
| In composing | Harmonise the theme using chords which the orchestra can play. Adding sevenths or ninths to a triad creates rich harmonies, similar to those used in the Romantic period. |
| Texture | |
| In performance | It is important to understand the role each instrument plays within a piece. |
| In composing | Vary the way in which the melody is accompanied to create contrast in your piece, eg have a solo melody accompanied by chords, or harmonise the melody but write the same rhythm for each part for a homophonic texture. |