Variation Techniques for Composers and Improvisers

copyright © 2002 by Larry J. Solomon

Melody

augmentation write/play in longer (slower) note values

articulation staccato, legato, tenuto, etc.

breathing silences between sounds

cycles/rotations cycling through figures; e.g., Alberti bass

diminution write/play in faster note values

directed motion motion towards a goal

elision subtract note/s

fragmentation a segment of a theme

hard/soft edge harder or softer definition

interpolation interject new (added) tones

tones that substitute for expected goal tones; e.g., climax of Wagner's Tristan & Isolde,
interruption
act 2

interval contraction smaller intervals, same contour; e.g., Liszt's Les Preludes

interval expansion larger intervals, same contour; e.g., Liszt's Les Preludes

mirrored contour; e.g., subject and inversion in Bartok's Music for Strings, Percussion
inversion
and Celeste, first movement

isomelos same notes, different rhythm; used constantly in dodecaphony

microtones intervals smaller than a semitone

scale structures that are symmetric in content; e.g., whole-tone scale, which has no
non-tonal scales
differences to imply a tonic

octave melody with tones played in differing octave registers; occurs frequently ion Webern's
displacement music

ornamentation embellishment of a given figure or framework, such as a trill

permutation change the order of pitches

prolongation goal tones used as skeleton for long lines

retrograde inversion a backwards inversion; much used in dodecaphony

retrograde a theme backwards

serial technique a constant ordering of pitch-classes, rhythms, etc.

shaping a dynamic/time contour

subcomplex extracted non-consecutive tones as a nucleus

subtraction /elision a theme/motive with subtracted tones

translation figures that are repeated in time or pitch

transposition a figure higher or lower in pitch

Harmony & Accompaniment

accompaniment/framework skeletal backdrop for other instruments

clusters/sound mass large secundal chords

harmonic rhythm rate of harmonic change

repetitive process on small number of elements; e.g., Terry Riley's In C; Phillip

minimal process
Glass's Koyanisqatsi

non-tertian chords chord structures not based on thirds; e.g., quartal chords

nucleus a special set used as a primary focus; e.g., A, C, C# in Scriabin's Op. 74/4

ostinati obstinate, unchanging figures or aspects, usually in the bass

stasis a static figure, commonly background; e.g., repeating chord figure

substitution a chord, line, etc. that substitutes for others; e.g., ii for IV

translation figures that are repeated in time or pitch; e.g., sequence

unravelling an arpeggiation or spinning out of structures; e.g., chord arpeggiation

Rhythm

ametric without any feeling of meter; e.g., chant

augmentation motive at a slower tempo; longer notes; e.g., Bach's fugues

automoton like a machine; mechanically

diminution a motive at a faster tempo; e.g., Rachmaninov's Isle of the Dead (uses Dies Irae)
 change of meter within another; e.g., duple within triple (Brahms); similar to multimeter, but
hemiola
without a change of meter signature; also, used for unwritten polymeters (Schubert)

homorhythm simultaneous ensemble attacks

isorhythm changing pitches, same rhythm; e.g., isorhythmic motets

isomelos changing rhythm, same pitches

metric
changing the length of the pulse group
modulation

changing meters; 4/4 to 5/8 to 6/8, etc.; e.g., Stravinsky's La Sacre du Printemps (Rite of
multi-meter
Spring)

physical action reflexive, muscular movements

polymeters different meters simultaneously; e.g., 2/4 + 3/4; e.g., Ives's Scherzo, Over the Pavements

polyrhythm distinctly divergent simultaneous rhythmic patterns; e.g., Ives's Scherzo, Over the Pavements

suspended time very long static events, with nothing much else happening

syncopation unexpected rhythms; e.g., Ives's Scherzo, Over the Pavements

tempo faster, aggitated, or slower, calmer

tempo
periodically accel. or decel.
modulation

Texture

statements of the same idea by successive voices, normally in counterpoint; Renaissance

imitation
motets

isotrophy harmonic planes or blocks of sound moving in opposite directions

layering/stratification repetitions in each part layered with other parts; e.g., Berlioz's Requiem, the Offertory

planing moving chords in parallel motion; e.g., in Debussy's Preludes

one of two opposites; e.g., antiphony; e.g., Bartok's Music for Strings, Percussion and
polarization
Celeste

texture change dropping in or out; e.g., adding/subtracting voices/instruments; e.g., Ravel's Bolero

texture modulation gradually thinning or thickening; e.g., Ravel's Bolero

increasing or decreasing the number of notes per unit time or space; e.g., Bartok's Music
density
for Strings, Percussion and Celeste

Tonality
 atonality (see pantonality)

modality use of modes other than major/minor; e.g., Hungarian folksongs

modulation a changing tonal focus; a change of key

pandiatonic all tones of a diatonic scale treated with equal importance

pantonality all (12) tones with equal importance

polymodality more than one mode at a time; e.g., Dorian and Major simultaneously

polytonality more than one tonic at the same time; e.g., Stravinsky's La Sacre du Printemps

tonal axis tonic/dominant syntax/substitution

Voicing

crossing voices crossing over or under a given voice

doublings dup.pc , parallel motion

voicing open/close, smooth/disjunct

underlap crossing under a given line

Color

electronic alteration filtration or other electronic changes

unusual playing methods on conventional instruments; e.g., Berio's Sequenza's and Visage;
extended techniques
Cowell's Banshee, Cage's Sonatas and Interludes for prepared piano

alternating melodic tones with other instrument/s; e.g., Webern's orchestration of Bach's Ricecar
klangfarbenmelodie
from The Musical Offering, and Symphony

metamorphosis changing one idea gradually into another; e.g., Liszt's Les Preludes, Bartok's String Quartet No. 2

multiphonics chords or harmonic intervals produced from harmonics

short single bursts of instrumental color interjected among others; e.g., Webern's Concerto, op.
pointillism
24

sprechstimme nearly spoken song; e.g., Schoenberg's Pierrot Lunaire

timbre modulation changing the dynamic balance; e.g., Carter's Etude #7 from Eight Etudes and a Fantasy

Dynamics
balance louder or softer compared with other parts

dynamic modulation solo cresc./decresc. differing with other parts

terraced dynamics a sudden change in loudness level

Form

indeterminacy sounds not under control of a composer and performer; e.g., Cage's 4'33"

moment form constant figures used to unify short sections; e.g., Stockhausen Momente

overlap dovetailing old and new ideas in transition

quotations of sections of pre-existing music; e.g., Schubert's March Militaire in Stravinsky's Circus
parody
Polka

stochastic
a controlled chance structure using probability theory
(Xenakis)

surprise a sudden contrast; e.g., Haydn's Surprise Symphony

transition a bridge from from one idea to another; e.g., Beethoven's Symphony No 5, 3rd to 4th movements

union a joining together of non-consecutive structures

Miscellaneous

antiphony spatial responses

beating tone slightly out of unison with other parts

debate argumentatively

spatial modulation motion during performance

synaesthesia a mixing of sensory stimuli (smell, sight, touch, etc.)