|
|
|
|
Home / Recreation and Leisure / Entertainment
How To Create Interesting Textures
By:Edward Weiss
A lot of new age piano music consists of repeating patterns, or textures in the left hand while the right hand improvises a melody. This approach is really a good one! It frees you up to create in the moment. First you decide what chord or chords you'll be using in the left hand. You then create an ostinato or arpeggio that lays the foundation for the entire piece.
It's like the background a painter uses before the foreground is drawn in. In the case of music, the background would be the textural patterns in the left hand. Then the right hand comes in "to paint" in the rest of the picture - in this case, the improvised melody.
George Winston used this approach in the piece "Rain." First you get this beautiful textural background created exclusively by the left hand. He covers more than an octave with the left hand using the thumb to reach past and make the music sound fuller. Now, in this piece he uses only a few chords, but interest is maintained through the improvised melody. In my piece, Flashflood, from Anza-Borrego Desert Suite, I use the same technique.
I start by playing an ostinato in the left, than add in the melody in the right. I keep playing the ostinato for as long as my intuition says, "this sounds good," then add in some contrast, either by changing chords, or by adding in new material.
It's important to realize that complete textural backgrounds can be created using the left hand alone. In fact, entire pieces of music can and have been created using this very versatile approach. It's especially suited for new age music. So, here's a step-by-step procedure for creating textures:
1. Choose your chords - These can be triads, or Open Position Chords, or any chord structure
2. Create a pattern for your left hand
3. Improvise a melody with your right hand
About the Author: Edward Weiss is a pianist/composer and webmaster of Quiescence Music's online piano lessons. He has been helping students learn how to play piano in the New Age style for over 14 years! Visit us now at http://www.quiescencemusic.com/piano_lessons.html for a FREE piano lesson!
Source: www.isnare.com
Article Source: http://www.dailynewarticles.com
More Articles from Entertainment Category:
Games for iPod - A New Trend is Born!
The Next Generation: Xbox 360
Magazine Subscription Sales Affected By The Internet
Classy Chess Boards
Funniest Clown Stunts in Clown Party
Are You A Taurus?
Explore Every Resource for Great Ticket Buys
Party Planning Ideas for Teenagers
Great Tips for Buying Cheap Magazine Subscriptions
Home Theater Accessories: Endless Options
Occasions for Male Strippers
The Mysteries of Occult Magic
Jax Beach Parties on New Years Eve
Dice Sports Games That Are Fun.
Intensify Your Home Theater Experience With HDTV
|
|
