How to compose Sonata?

[brendan765]

    I know for the most part how to compose Sonatas, I've never gave it an attempt until now.  My music theory teacher wants me to make my last movement in Rondo Form, which should be fun and isn't too challenging and all that.  But in order for it to qualify for a sonata...is that strictly defined anymore? 
    My 1st movement is really like a Rhapsody...kind of free flowing with monstrously huge chords and arpeggios...my teacher says it's impressionistic, but not like Debussy or Ravel for example...he thinks my music sounds allot like Liszt. Which I took as a compliment because I love Liszt; but still I will will surprise him with this 2nd movement (basically arpeggios left hand; with tenths in the right) to show how I have my own style.. 
    I know my somewhat Rhapsody Movement doesn't follow the way Beethovens idea of Intro./Expo./Themes  in the 1st movement...but the music ended up like this for the 1st movement
which I'm not sure is okay to call it a Sonata then?
ABCBCD

[j_menz]

But in order for it to qualify for a sonata...is that strictly defined anymore? 
 

The term was never strictly defined and has over time lost any semblance of meaning in terms of formal structure.

[brendan765]

The term was never strictly defined and has over time lost any semblance of meaning in terms of formal structure.

So since mine has an introduction, themes, and recapitulation in the 1st. A almost like victorious-stroll (pretty) 2nd movement movement and then the 3rd will be a 5 or 7 part rondo.  Is that considered well formed?  I didn't really mean to write it to be a Sonata...it just randomly worked that way. Possibly could have a connection with how I love playing and listening to Beethoven Sonatas. Beethoven Sonatas are great, the Sonatas to me are the best large scale work of any composer.

[andreslr6]

Sonata basically means that it's an instrumental piece. Sonatas where one of the reasons that instrumental music began to get attention, in contrast with Vocal music. When it first was first used it was to merely define a instrumental piece of several movements, generally slow-fast-slow-fast. There were several common practices, but the term "sonata form" didn't exist until the 19th century, after Beethoven, along with the terms of Expo-Development-Recap. It was latter "standarized" and taught as that, but then like j_menz said

The term was never strictly defined and has over time lost any semblance of meaning in terms of formal structure.

. But if you're writing one as a learning experience, then a good start is to use that "usual" structure.

Just keep in mind that theory comes from practice, not the other way around, the definitions of "sonata" came after the term "sonata" was being used to name composition, and the term "sonata form" was invented even centuries later.

[brendan765]

Sonata basically means that it's an instrumental piece. Sonatas where one of the reasons that instrumental music began to get attention, in contrast with Vocal music. When it first was first used it was to merely define a instrumental piece of several movements, generally slow-fast-slow-fast. There were several common practices, but the term "sonata form" didn't exist until the 19th century, after Beethoven, along with the terms of Expo-Development-Recap. It was latter "standarized" and taught as that, but then like j_menz said . But if you're writing one as a learning experience, then a good start is to use that "usual" structure.

Just keep in mind that theory comes from practice, not the other way around, the definitions of "sonata" came after the term "sonata" was being used to name composition, and the term "sonata form" was invented even centuries later.

I'm writing it becuase I love writing music, I believe music comes first before rules...but rules can make better music if you know how to do so. The piece is now done because of it's free, rubato feeling, and not a constant melody/harmony I call it a 1 movement Rhapsody and I'm now working on the sonata 3rd mov. first...it's a Rondo. and I'm still using my own style, but it will have a present melody/harmony more so and will follow all the rules...

[soitainly]

 I don't think you are going to learn to compose a sonata in a week from reading posts on the internet. If you are serious about being a composer, the best way is to study the whole history of music and to listen to lots of music of every kind. I am sure there are numerous books on sonata form and composition in general. I would also suggest watching The Teaching Company's DVD series by Robert Greenberg on the complete sonatas of Beethoven, I got it from the library.

 Again, if you are serious about being a composer (or anything else by the way) then be prepared to be in it for the long haul. Being great at just about anything requires lifelong dedication. Overnight sensations are for pop stars, where all you need is a haircut and an auto tune program.

[the89thkey]

Let's just say that you shouldn't start by thinking "I'm going to write a sonata." Start with a musical theme or idea. Then, in the development of that idea, you discover what form best suits it. Don't sit thinking of themes for sonatas. When the themes come to you, compose. When you are inspired, compose. Otherwise, don't even bother. The composition will probably be dull and rote. A marked example of this is the fugue. Fugal form is so often presupposed when thinking of themes that one begins to associate fugues with boring music.

Simply put: this thread is not the way to go about writing a sonata.