May 1, 2014

The Row: a pitch limitation composition

In the ROW, the tones are always used in the same order (1 2 3 4 5).  You may not use tone 4 until you have used tone 3; tone 5 must be preceded by tone 4.  After using all the tones in the row, start again with tone 1.  You may repeat tones but only immediately (1 2 2 2 3 4 4 5 1, and so on), and you may use tones in other octaves.

Exercise:
1.  Compose a melody in 4/4 that is 6 to 10 measures in length.  Use only the row D A F E C (as well as the octave forms of these tones)

2.  Use only these two rhythms: quarter note - 2 eighth notes - half note OR quarter rest - 3 quarter notes.

3.  Place a number below each of the tones in the melody to show its sequence in the row.  (D=1, A=2 and so on).

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