Objective: Compose a simple theme and variation piece
Video games and themes
The theme and variation form is a good composition form to use when writing video game music. The themes can help the player become more familiar with the game and its contents. In games, themes can be associated with everything from characters, areas of play, in-game conditions, to just general tone of the game. Once the theme is associated with a particular idea, a variation of that theme can evoke the same idea in a different context. For example, a character's theme may be played in a different tone to signify that character's state of mind. Also, a game might have a general theme, which is brought back throughout the game and worked into other pieces of music used in the game. Themes can be used to set the mood and draw the player into the game. They can also be used to foreshadow events about to happen in the game (ie. boss music).
Some specific examples:
Finally, video game themes can be fun. Most people familiar with video games can sing any number of classic themes from memory (try Zelda, Tetris, Mario). People often enjoy a good piece of video game music.
Composing a simple theme
This lab assumes you can already create a couple bars of a melody for use as your theme. Come up with a simple theme of about 4-8 measures. Feel free to make it longer if you wish. While composing this theme think about different ways you might harmonize it, and what types of instruments you could play it on. Try to keep your theme simple and catchy; Don't make it hard to follow. Finally, make sure the theme "resolves" at the end, and doesn't feel like it is left off in the middle.
Variations on the theme
Now that you have a theme you can create some variations on it. There are no
formulas for doing this, so experiment with different changes to your theme. Try changing around
such things as melodies, rhythms, harmonies, instrumentation, and registers. Make sure you can still recognize
the theme in your variation. Some ideas to try: Change the notes in the melody but keep the same "shape".
Elaborate on the theme by inserting more notes in between the original notes. Change the note lengths.
Harmonize the melody with different chords. Change the instruments in your composition. Play the melody in a different
register (bass, soprano, ...). Try to change the overall mood of your theme in your variations. If your theme is fast and exciting,
try making a variation that is slow and calm. Come up with 2 different variations on your theme.
Specifications
You must submit a Reason file split into 3 sections (just leave a couple of measures between each one). The
first section must be your theme, exhibited cleary. The next two sections must be variations on your theme. The theme must be around 4-8 measures, while the variations should be longer, at around 16-20 measures each.
Each section must have some sort of accompaniment (harmony and/or rhythm) appropriate to your theme or variation. The variations should be very different from the original theme and each other, but still recognizable as the theme. This lab will be graded mostly on effort and adherence to the specifications.
Please use CMS to turn in your Reason file.
This lab project is due Monday, February 21st by 11:59pm (midnight).