Embedded Files
Objectives
Objectives
By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:
Describe and diagram the structure of a theme and variation form.
Identify concepts related to theme and variation form, including sectional variations, continuous variations, ostinato, ground bass, chaconne, and passacaglia.
Explain different ways that composers vary thematic material, citing examples from repertoire.
Analyze a piece of music from the repertoire that uses the form, identifying sections, and describing how each theme is varied.
Compose a theme and variations based on a given folk melody.
Preparation for Class
Preparation for Class
Read:
Read:
Binary Form and Theme & Variation – Just read the “Theme and Variation” section (Katilin Bove)
Watch
Watch
Variations on a Theme by K. K. Slider: Memory and Play in Animal Crossing: New Horizons
(Nathaniel Mitchell, 14 mins)
Variations on a Theme by K. K. Slider: Memory and Play in Animal Crossing: New Horizons
(Nathaniel Mitchell, 14 mins)
Annotated Theme & Variations: Mozart, Variations on “Ah! vous dirai-je maman”
(Lynwood Music, 13 mins)
Annotated Theme & Variations: Mozart, Variations on “Ah! vous dirai-je maman”
(Lynwood Music, 13 mins)
Study Aids
Study Aids
Form Review
Check out the Form Review page on Kaitlin Bove's site for a good summary of all of the form types discussed this semester on one page.
Diagramming Form with Cookies
Binary, Ternary, Sonata, Rondo, and Theme & Variation form represented in cookie form. See the handout here.
In-Class Activities
In-Class Activities
Discussion
Discussion
Definitions: Explain what a theme and variation form is and what a typical form diagram would look like. What's the difference between sectional variations and continuous variations?
Writing Variations: Consider the examples of theme and variation presented in the reading and in the "Watch" section above. What are some of the different ways that composers vary thematic material?
Activities
Activities
Composing Variations: Select a melody from this international collection of folk songs to use as your theme. Using Mozart's Variations on “Ah! vous dirai-je maman” as a model (see the video above), compose a set of variations on your theme. Be prepared to describe how you chose to vary your theme.
For a handy guide, check out this "Theme and Variations Cheat Sheet" from West Virgina University.
Repertoire for Practice
Repertoire for Practice
Theme & Variations Examples: Analyze examples from the “Theme & Variation” page on Expanding the Canon.
Practice
Practice
Musition: [levels]
Auralia: [levels]
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