Interaction between parts
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Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can analyse how a piano trio uses complex textures to develop ideas and create variety, and I can incorporate some of those into my own composition.
Key learning points
- Considering the interaction between parts is an important part of composing.
- In the Romantic piano trio, the composer shared both the melody and accompaniment between the three instruments.
- They also used polyphony, antiphony, imitation, doubling and harmonisation to create a varied composition.
- Every style has idiomatic techniques for creating interaction between parts.
Keywords
Polyphony - a texture involving more than one equally important melodic line
Imitation - when a short part of a melody is copied (or 'imitated') in another part
Antiphony - where two or more instruments or groups have dialogue (similar to call and response)
Doubling - where a second part plays a melody in unison with another part
Harmonisation - where a second part plays the main melody with different notes, creating harmony
Common misconception
In a piano trio, the piano plays the accompanying chords, the cello plays the bass line and violin plays the melody.
The three instruments serve varied roles in a piano trio. Many composers share the melody and the accompaniment between all three, and have them interact in different ways. It is a versatile ensemble, with lots of potential for interesting textures.
Teacher tip
This composition also serves as a starting point for exploring: composing for piano trio or chamber ensemble; using sonata form; chromatic harmony; idiomatic Romantic melody and harmony; piano composition; dynamics and articulation; accompaniment patterns (e.g. broken chords); compound time
Files needed for this lesson
Composition exemplar - piano trio (audio) 6.5 MB (MP3)
Composition exemplar - piano trio (full score) 207 KB (PDF)
Download these files to use in the lesson.
Licence
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