Retrograde Development
Retrograde Development
Retrograde development has three options:
1. Write the notes of the phrase in reverse order and apply the unaltered rhythm of the original phrase
2) Write the rhythm backwards and apply the tone values in the order of the original phrase
3) Write BOTH the notes and the rhythm backwards
Doing this is tedious and time consuming! But, the payoff can be enormous. Music writing software is available that will do this task at the click of a mouse.
Retrograde development can disguise the hand of the composer. Often the listener is tricked into thinking that the music is far more complex that it truly is.
Retrograde development has three options:
1. Write the notes of the phrase in reverse order and apply the unaltered rhythm of the original phrase
2) Write the rhythm backwards and apply the tone values in the order of the original phrase
3) Write BOTH the notes and the rhythm backwards
Doing this is tedious and time consuming! But, the payoff can be enormous. Music writing software is available that will do this task at the click of a mouse.
Retrograde development can disguise the hand of the composer. Often the listener is tricked into thinking that the music is far more complex that it truly is.
Example 1: Yesterday
Lenon and McCartney's song Yesterday was among the most recorded songs in the 20th century. Look at the score
Lenon and McCartney's song Yesterday was among the most recorded songs in the 20th century. Look at the score
Now apply retrograde development techniques
It's vital to remember that composing is a great deal more than pushing buttons or modifying motives and phrases by blindly applying developmental techniques. Manipulating motives and phrases should generate new compositional ideas and directions.
Every developmental technique selected has to be worked into the whole composition. In the finished composition all techniques must be seamless and effective - both transparent and stimulating to the listener. One of the best uses for retrograde development is to find new motives and phrases. Any motive or phrase generated by retrograde development can be considered to be original. The bottom line is apply the technique, evaluate the outcome, use the best results to generate new phrases or to embellish the existing work. |
