Performing and composing ideas
Here is a table of techniques that Henry Purcell used in Music for a While, which may be useful when considering performances and compositions.
| Performance | Composition | |
| Ornamentation | Decorate the melody to showcase creative flair. This is especially useful in a solo. | Ornamentation can be used to show variation between sections that are repeated. |
| Ground bass | A ground bass, or any repeated phrase, should be played consistently as possible, eg the dynamic level and articulation need to be the same each time the phrase is repeated. A soloist or lead instrumentalists should be aware of the ground bass so that the correct harmony is created. | Composing a ground bass gives a very solid structure and a foundation on which to build variations. |
| Ternary form - A-B-A | When returning to the A section, make slight adjustments, such as adding more expression or tempo changes, to maintain the interest. | Think about slight rhythm, pitch or instrument changes in the returning A section to maintain interest. |
| Word painting | Use the meaning and context of the composition to bring out the expressive nature of the music. | If composing for a specific story, try incorporating word painting for added effect. |
| Ornamentation | |
| Performance | Decorate the melody to showcase creative flair. This is especially useful in a solo. |
| Composition | Ornamentation can be used to show variation between sections that are repeated. |
| Ground bass | |
| Performance | A ground bass, or any repeated phrase, should be played consistently as possible, eg the dynamic level and articulation need to be the same each time the phrase is repeated. A soloist or lead instrumentalists should be aware of the ground bass so that the correct harmony is created. |
| Composition | Composing a ground bass gives a very solid structure and a foundation on which to build variations. |
| Ternary form - A-B-A | |
| Performance | When returning to the A section, make slight adjustments, such as adding more expression or tempo changes, to maintain the interest. |
| Composition | Think about slight rhythm, pitch or instrument changes in the returning A section to maintain interest. |
| Word painting | |
| Performance | Use the meaning and context of the composition to bring out the expressive nature of the music. |
| Composition | If composing for a specific story, try incorporating word painting for added effect. |
