First Year Composition From Tonality to Atonality
Meow Bell is a piece from my music theory class. Gabriel Bouche Caro was one of my favorite professors. At the time, I wasn’t a music composition major student, and I wasn’t in good health. I didn’t do well in most of my classes. However, that music theory class, along with some of the other classes, was very interesting. Prof. Gabriel once said, “Don’t let people tell you music is a Universal language.” I was so surprised; I wasn’t the only one who thought so. In fact, during my community college years, I wrote a paper about why music is not as universal as people claim it to be. Fortunately, that community Western music professor didn’t fail me even though I wrote something different from what she taught in class. Years later, I found out Prof. Gabriel also shared a similar idea. I started to think about this question over and over again.
Anyways, this Meow Bell melody was supposed to be an in-class choir composition. However, I had very bad physical health and mental health back then, so I didn’t attend that concert. Fortunately, this piece survived. Then, during the Third Coast partnership audition, I converted it into a simple bell music. It is still fun to listen to.
The Gamer Cat Piano is a creation sparked by a friend’s presentation. During a web design class shared with a close sweet friend, I encountered a professor with a penchant for defying requests. Despite my wish to collaborate with my friend due to our aligned schedules, the professor insisted on separating us, citing the need to simulate real-life scheduling conflicts. Nonetheless, I found his class to be the most intriguing and memorable I’ve experienced. I still like that professor very much. Our assignments included developing mole games using HTML, and my friend’s group introduced a captivating game music for their project. Inspired by the tone of that game, the Gamer Cat Piano marks the inception of my journey into music and art.
The pieces presented in this program traverse the fascinating terrain between tonality and atonality, reflecting the journey undertaken during my theory 1 and 2 classes. Each composition encapsulates a unique exploration of harmony, melody, and structure, embodying the evolution of my understanding and appreciation of musical theory.
The interplay between tonality and atonality serves as a central theme throughout this musical journey. In the earlier works from Theory 1, elements of tonality dominate, providing a familiar harmonic framework while introducing subtle deviations and dissonances that hint at the impending departure from traditional tonal structures. These compositions serve as a foundation, laying the groundwork for the exploration of more complex harmonic landscapes.
As the program progresses into Theory 2, the compositions undergo a gradual shift towards greater experimentation with atonality. Here, the harmonic language becomes more fluid and unpredictable, eschewing traditional tonal centers in favor of dissonant and ambiguous harmonies. Melodic lines intertwine with dissonant intervals, creating tension and intrigue as the listener is drawn into a realm where the rules of tonality are challenged and redefined.
The juxtaposition of tonal and atonal elements within each composition reflects the duality inherent in the learning process. Just as theory 1 and 2 classes represent a continuum of musical understanding, so too do these compositions embody a synthesis of contrasting musical elements. Through experimentation with tonality and atonality, I have sought to push the boundaries of conventional musical discourse, inviting listeners to embark on a journey of discovery and exploration.
In essence, “Between Tonal and Atonal” serves as a sonic representation of my musical growth and development. It is a testament to the transformative power of education and the endless possibilities that lie at the intersection of tradition and innovation. As you embark on this musical odyssey, I invite you to embrace the beauty of ambiguity and complexity, and to discover the rich tapestry of sounds that exist between tonality and atonality.
Here are more from the same album.
