Assignment 1

1. Musica Ricercata (first part due Thursday)

Listen to nos. 1, 2, 3, and 5 from Ligeti’s Musica Ricercata here and participate in the discussion thread here.
There is no prescribed format. Comment on whatever interests you or strikes you about any or all of the selections.
Whatever you write, be descriptive: don't just say how you feel about something, but what in the music makes you feel that way. It's fine to express an opinon, but connect it clearly to the sounds themselves.
Post at least twice, once initiating, and once replying to someone else’s posting; and post your initial comment before class Thursday (Aug. 28).

2. Compose (due Tuesday Sep. 2)

Write a piece 2-4 minutes long for you to play on your own instrument using any 3 pitch classes. Do not use other pitches.
Notate completely and in detail as if you were giving it to another performer to play without further oral instructions.
In both composing and notating, think of gesture, expression, and time more than about pitch.
Notate expression (articulation, dynamics, nuances of timing) extensively.
Come to class prepared to play through the piece. It doesn’t have to be polished.

3. Improvise

~~Work on this at least once before Thursday, and more before Tuesday~~
We will talk about this more on Thursday; no action required just yet
Practice playing in the WT0 scale and in the minor pentatonic scales ( = pentatonic mode I) beginning on C, E-flat, E, and F (concert pitches).
Practicing in a scale means more than playing it up and down. Learn to use it as a pitch collection that can generate all sorts of gestures. These should eventually include steps and skips, arpeggios; patterns (like alternating thirds) as well as freer gestures; and (if possible on your instrument) chords.
Non-pianists will benefit from practicing on the keyboard as well as their primary instrument.
Everyone will benefit by trying to sing within the scale.