22nd February

Here's a new piece.  It's short and sweet, but has potential for future use.  If you want to skip the analysis, jump straight to the links below.

I wanted to start with something new and somewhat simple.  I began knowing I wanted to write in 5/4 time, but to avoid using the 5/4 clave in which the eighth notes are grouped 3-3-2-2.

Instead, I wanted to overall metronomic feel of the piece to be obscured.  In the repeated 6 bar phrase that acts as an introduction, this effect is achieved by tying notes over the downbeat.  This technique is also employed when the second piano enters halfway through.  To offset this irregularity, every 6 bar phrase features a single repeated figure that becomes increasingly more rhythmically complex to the end.

Harmonically speaking, I also wanted to keep away from a conventional major or minor, so I ended up composing in A Mixolydian.  I intentionally disguise this fact by avoiding using the 7th scale degree until measure 31.  In general I feel that the Mixolydian mode has a more open and earthy tone to it due to the whole step relationship between the 7th and 1st scale degree.  To capitalize on this idea of open and earthy, I employ lots of perfect intervals and use the 3rd scale degree sparingly.

Listen for yourself, and feel free to follow along in the score.

MP3

PDF

Thanks for listening,
~Luke