The Imperial Viol

THE IMPERIAL VIOL: Due Wednesday, May 14

Imagine that you have been captured by the Lorac, a warlike tribe ruled by Edrevol, who will spare your life only if you please him with the music you write for the Imperial Viol.  The Imperial Viol is a stringed instrument that can only play the whole tone scale.

The whole tone scale uses 6 notes (G A B C# D# F ) that all have the distance of a whole step.  This scale is known as a symmetrical scale. Symmetrical scales differ from diatonic scales such as the Major and Minor scale in that there is no tonic, or home note. This gives music that uses this scale a dream-like quality where there is no sense of beginning or end.

COMPOSITION ASSIGNMENT

Step 1: In Finale Notepad, prepare a score for your instrument with a 4/4 time signature.

Step 2: Using quarter notes and rests, choose notes from the whole tone scale - G A B C# D# F - to create a composition of 12 bars. Think about the contour of your melody. Balance upwards movement with a downward movement, or for effect, repeat high or low notes.

Step 3: Choose a tempo and a dynamic for the piece.

Step 4: Add some rhythmic interest by changing some quarter notes into eighth notes or triplets. You can repeat the same note or add extra notes. Just make sure that each bar adds up to 4 beats.

Step 5:  Create more interest by adding rests, accents or staccato notes. Think about more dynamic changes by such as crescendos and diminuendos.