Composition question! Ideas on how to base a piece of piano music on a poem

[throwawaynotreally]

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[esoteric]

I'm no expert, but I would suggest approaching it like this...

- First ascertain the emotions the poem is designed to convey and induce.
- Once these emotions are identified, research and analyse pieces which also convey and induce them, to understand exactly how its achieved (you're looking for inspiration here, no plagiarism)
-Now, begin to experiment with creating your own emotive melody, and endeavour to make it as original and poignant as possible
- Create an accompaniment for the other hand that serves to add some depth to your melody and some volume and vigour to your more fierce passages
- Be meticulous in crafting each and every passage to convey the emotions identified in the poem, to ensure the best possible translation of the literature into a musical form

Yeah, that's what I would do. Hope it all goes well.

[throwawaynotreally]

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[m1469]

Every syllable must have a note.  Some words/syllables are more important than others, likewise, some beats naturally have more emphasis than others.

[esoteric]

@throwawaynotreally Its not a problem. What m1469 said is very true aswell, focus on those details.

[throwawaynotreally]

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[m1469]

If you are setting the actual words, which is what I thought you were talking about, then yes.  If you are not setting the actual words, then no.  Either way, it's still possible and desirable to express the meaning and the emotion of the poem through the music.

[coda_colossale]

I cannot see the purpose of these advices, or asking or advice in the first place. I don't think anyone needs advice to understand that he must first comprehend the emotion behing a poem to set it to music. The first rule is to forget about anything anyone has told you about music. Obviously you need a good knowledge of harmony and maybe counterpoint first to attempt anything serious, but composing is most importantly a matter of motivation and inspiration. Music is always an improvisation with musical particles. After all it's music, not algebra.

[pianoplunker]

So studying for English I recently discovered a poem which is now my favourite ever!

Is there a specific way one should go about setting music to a poem, like Liszt and the Petrarch Sonnets?


I study composition at quite a low level, for musicianship theory class, equivalent of ABRSM grades 6-7 (passed it!), but I'm planning to hone my skills this summer, when I'll be deprived of a piano for most of the day

Make music, then set the poem to the music

[throwawaynotreally]

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[throwawaynotreally]

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[throwawaynotreally]

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[pianoplunker]

Hmm?
I meant to say that there's an already existing poem that I would like to set music to, if that clears up any confusion.

No confusion here. I understand completely what you wrote. That is why I wrote what I wrote. When it comes to creating, why limit yourself to what exists already ?  Perhaps you come up with something beautiful musically that requires an alteration of the poem or the poem becomes an inspiration for something else.

[throwawaynotreally]

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