why we don’t drive to dvorák fast composition and musical
TRANSCRIPT
Why we Don’t Drive to DvořákFAST Composition and
Musical Analysis
Why we Don’t Drive to DvořákFAST Composition and
Musical AnalysisMatthew C. LaneMatthew C. Lane
ForwardForward
• Began using FAST during M.Mus. at Université de Montréal
• Lighter side to the application of FAST
• Countering the estranged artist theory
• Composition is guided by analysis of existing perceptually successful music
• Began using FAST during M.Mus. at Université de Montréal
• Lighter side to the application of FAST
• Countering the estranged artist theory
• Composition is guided by analysis of existing perceptually successful music
Function Analysis:Doesn’t it require a function?
Function Analysis:Doesn’t it require a function?
• Music has a function
• Create drama
• Drama implies continuity
• Different styles achieve this in different ways
• Dance/Disco music: 8-bar pattern
• Classical period form: contrasting second ending
• Pop music: structure
• Jazz music
• Music has a function
• Create drama
• Drama implies continuity
• Different styles achieve this in different ways
• Dance/Disco music: 8-bar pattern
• Classical period form: contrasting second ending
• Pop music: structure
• Jazz music
Why some forms should be dramatic, but aren’t alwaysWhy some forms should be dramatic, but aren’t always
Does all music seek the same dramatic goals?
Does all music seek the same dramatic goals?
• Classical - maximum drama
• Pop - moderate drama
• Muzak - low (but existent) leval of drama
• Classical - maximum drama
• Pop - moderate drama
• Muzak - low (but existent) leval of drama
Symbiotic relationship between analysis and
composition
Symbiotic relationship between analysis and
composition• Analysis of precedents before creation
• Learning about effective music requires knowing the function and the why’s towards it
• Assumed function: create drama (test)
• Partial FAST gives us an objective test of the utility of an element of the music
• Analysis of precedents before creation
• Learning about effective music requires knowing the function and the why’s towards it
• Assumed function: create drama (test)
• Partial FAST gives us an objective test of the utility of an element of the music
Bach Fugue in C from WTC 1
Bach Fugue in C from WTC 1
Analysis and FASTAnalysis and FAST• Some tools with a hidden function based
approach:
• Harmonic analysis
• Shenkarian analysis
• Pitch class set analysis
• Constant paradigm shift creates need for FAST
• Much of 20th C dedicated to music without perceptual drama, and FAST diagrams help us spot why very quickly.
• Some tools with a hidden function based approach:
• Harmonic analysis
• Shenkarian analysis
• Pitch class set analysis
• Constant paradigm shift creates need for FAST
• Much of 20th C dedicated to music without perceptual drama, and FAST diagrams help us spot why very quickly.
Function-based thinking and the problem with modern classical
music
Function-based thinking and the problem with modern classical
music• Function awareness
• Disenchantment with modern music: it doesn’t have a perceptible function.
• Composers should convey their function
• Listeners should be “Function-Aware” when choosing music
• Is classical music’s function still relevant?
• Function awareness
• Disenchantment with modern music: it doesn’t have a perceptible function.
• Composers should convey their function
• Listeners should be “Function-Aware” when choosing music
• Is classical music’s function still relevant?
How I use FASTHow I use FAST• Starting from a musical “seed”
• Alternate functions on a smaller scale
• Get from A to B
• Create tension, reduce tension
• Increase/Reduce speed/orchestration/dynamic
• Other pieces may require slightly different functions.
• Starting from a musical “seed”
• Alternate functions on a smaller scale
• Get from A to B
• Create tension, reduce tension
• Increase/Reduce speed/orchestration/dynamic
• Other pieces may require slightly different functions.
How I use FASTHow I use FAST
Advantages of using FASTAdvantages of using FAST
• Everything connected to a “seed” idea, promoting continuity
• One process can serve several higher order functions: more effecient pieces
• Justification for ideas (useful in academia)
• Prevents superfluous ideas from entering a piece
• Everything connected to a “seed” idea, promoting continuity
• One process can serve several higher order functions: more effecient pieces
• Justification for ideas (useful in academia)
• Prevents superfluous ideas from entering a piece