Performing and composing ideas
Below are the techniques found in the Star Wars Main Title and Rebel Blockade Runner. Consider how they can be used in performance and composition.
| Performance | Composition | |
| Melody-led homophony | Ensure the balance between melody and harmony, especially if the number of performers is different. | Using just a melody line with the rest of the ensemble playing a homophone accompaniment is the best way to put the melody to the forefront of the composition. |
| Quartal harmony | Adapting the placement of fingers on an instrument and practising alternating between these different chord hand shapes will be of benefit to the performer. | Quartal harmony has a rich colourful texture that can work well in compositions. Chords that feature quartal harmony often sound unresolved and convey tension. |
| Ternary form | Ensure that the second A section is performed differently to the first to maintain interest. | A-B-A creates contrast. Developing or changing the return of the A section will keep the listener interested. Main themes can be repeated for emphasis. |
| Pedal | Make sure that the pedal is played with consistent dynamics and rhythm. | A pedal can create tension that is resolved once it is released and the bass note joins the chord. |
| Fanfare | Fanfares should be performed maestoso for maximum impact. | A fanfare is a good way to open a section of music, and capture the attention of the listener. |
| Pizzicato | Understand how long to let the string resonate when performing pizzicato. | Pizzicato is an excellent way of creating a different sonority from the strings and is particularly effective in music that tells a story. |
| Melody-led homophony | |
| Performance | Ensure the balance between melody and harmony, especially if the number of performers is different. |
| Composition | Using just a melody line with the rest of the ensemble playing a homophone accompaniment is the best way to put the melody to the forefront of the composition. |
| Quartal harmony | |
| Performance | Adapting the placement of fingers on an instrument and practising alternating between these different chord hand shapes will be of benefit to the performer. |
| Composition | Quartal harmony has a rich colourful texture that can work well in compositions. Chords that feature quartal harmony often sound unresolved and convey tension. |
| Ternary form | |
| Performance | Ensure that the second A section is performed differently to the first to maintain interest. |
| Composition | A-B-A creates contrast. Developing or changing the return of the A section will keep the listener interested. Main themes can be repeated for emphasis. |
| Pedal | |
| Performance | Make sure that the pedal is played with consistent dynamics and rhythm. |
| Composition | A pedal can create tension that is resolved once it is released and the bass note joins the chord. |
| Fanfare | |
| Performance | Fanfares should be performed maestoso for maximum impact. |
| Composition | A fanfare is a good way to open a section of music, and capture the attention of the listener. |
| Pizzicato | |
| Performance | Understand how long to let the string resonate when performing pizzicato. |
| Composition | Pizzicato is an excellent way of creating a different sonority from the strings and is particularly effective in music that tells a story. |