Composer question - how to add variation to a strophic setting?
  • LauraKaz
    Posts: 79
    Several months ago, I wrote a setting of a lengthy hymn. Since I wanted the piece to remain accessible and easy to learn despite the long text, I opted to write it in a mostly strophic format, with one primary melody and one secondary melody that is also incorporated from time to time. I shared the piece with some other musicians and composers, and while the feedback was mostly very positive, the largest opportunity for improvement would seem to be more variation in the primary melody. I already have a few harmonizations of it in the setting (including one with a few secondary dominants and one with a descant), but it seemed that even more variety would have been appreciated. What are some strategies I might be able to try to add more variety and interest while keeping the long piece (about 7 minutes) easy enough to sing through for non-professionals?
  • francis
    Posts: 10,852
    Can we see/hear what you already haveon paper?
  • LauraKaz
    Posts: 79
    Yes. I already know of a few small corrections I want to make to this version, but I haven't bothered to put them in and export a new PDF yet. Audio is generated from Sibelius. I'm also thinking of moving the metronome marking up a tick or so.

    Edit: the audio seems to have loaded properly. Please let me know if you try to open it and it does not work.
    Stabat Mater speciosa - 2024 edit.pdf
    263K
    Stabat Mater speciosa - 2024 edit.mp3
    7M
  • Chant_Supremacist
    Posts: 43
    I agree it gets repetitive. Maybe once the 'home' theme is established, go on a journey and don't return to it until the last couple of verses. Just feels like that kind of piece to me. So it could be like a-a, b-b, c-c, d-d, a-a(descant)-a(finale).
  • M. Jackson Osborn
    Posts: 8,424
    .
  • Andrew_Malton
    Posts: 1,189
    I think the form and shape of the melody are suitable and interesting. I don't find it repetitious, no more than some Office hymns.

    However I find the halting rhythm makes for a slightly sluggish pace. I want it to be more energetic. Two suggestions: 1/ Rewrite it in 7/4 , losing the quarter rests; and 2/ keep the eighth-eighth-quarter cadence at the end of each phrase.
  • emac3183
    Posts: 62
    A couple low-effort options:
    You could turn a few of the verses into plainchant, though I'm not sure how well that fits the ethos of this piece. . This runs through the text a bit faster and provides much needed variation in voicing. It would also give singers a much needed rest for their voices. I'm thinking verses 4 and 7?
    Most needed for me: break up the harmonic rhythm. You consistently place one chord per beat...where can you have the melody overtop of slower moving chords for a "resting point" for our ears (half notes or longer)? These slower-moving chords could just sing every other word, or sing through the first half of the verse while the melody voice keeps moving. This could be effective at verses 4 and 7 as well.
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