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Aaron Copland: Saturday Night Waltz - AQAPerforming and composing ideas

Aaron Copland wrote the ballet Rodeo in 1942. Saturday Night Waltz is one of four movements from the suite Four Dance Episodes from Rodeo, which was taken from the original ballet score.

Part of MusicWestern classical tradition since 1910

Performing and composing ideas

Some of the techniques found in Saturday Night Waltz can be transferred to other performances and composing. By understanding the effects of each may develop musicianship skills. They are shown in this table.

In performanceIn composition
OrnamentationDecorate the melody with ornaments, such as trills and mordents, which could be especially useful in a solo.This could be used to show variation between repeating sections. They can add decoration to a melody.
WaltzIf performing a waltz in 3/4 time, the first beat of the bar is the most important and should have slightly more emphasis than beats 2 and 3.Compose a piece in 3/4 time. Be sure to include the 鈥榦om pa pa鈥 rhythm in the accompaniment.
ModulationMake sure to pay attention to new sharp and flat notes when moving from different keys.A modulation can be used to change the mood of a piece, e.g. modulating to the relative minor means that something sad has occurred.
Dominant 7 chordsA good way to embellish chords and a way to add appropriate dissonance, depending on the voicing.A traditional way to add colour to chords and a musical tool to modulate from different keys.
Folk musicResearch traditional folk music from different countries. Try incorporating some of these melodies into a composition. Develop them by adding rhythmic augmentation or diminution.
Ornamentation
In performanceDecorate the melody with ornaments, such as trills and mordents, which could be especially useful in a solo.
In compositionThis could be used to show variation between repeating sections. They can add decoration to a melody.
Waltz
In performanceIf performing a waltz in 3/4 time, the first beat of the bar is the most important and should have slightly more emphasis than beats 2 and 3.
In compositionCompose a piece in 3/4 time. Be sure to include the 鈥榦om pa pa鈥 rhythm in the accompaniment.
Modulation
In performanceMake sure to pay attention to new sharp and flat notes when moving from different keys.
In compositionA modulation can be used to change the mood of a piece, e.g. modulating to the relative minor means that something sad has occurred.
Dominant 7 chords
In performanceA good way to embellish chords and a way to add appropriate dissonance, depending on the voicing.
In compositionA traditional way to add colour to chords and a musical tool to modulate from different keys.
Folk music
In performance
In compositionResearch traditional folk music from different countries. Try incorporating some of these melodies into a composition. Develop them by adding rhythmic augmentation or diminution.