Mixing
Retrograding a melody that ends on a whole note
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If I was retrograding a melody that ends on a whole note, should I count it as a first beat quarter during reversing it or should I count it as 3 quarter rests + a quarter? I've attached an example score to show you why I am asking this question: The retrograde A maintains the timing between the notes of the original melody and retrograde B is precisely an exact reverse of the melody. I am confused because I am not sure whether the timing between the notes should remain consistent during retrograde or not :/
theory composition
asked 7 hours ago
Aman Trivedi
454
 |Â
show 1 more comment
up vote
1
down vote
favorite
If I was retrograding a melody that ends on a whole note, should I count it as a first beat quarter during reversing it or should I count it as 3 quarter rests + a quarter? I've attached an example score to show you why I am asking this question: The retrograde A maintains the timing between the notes of the original melody and retrograde B is precisely an exact reverse of the melody. I am confused because I am not sure whether the timing between the notes should remain consistent during retrograde or not :/
theory composition
asked 7 hours ago
Aman Trivedi
454
What do you mean by 'retrograding'?
– Tim
7 hours ago
I mean reversing the melody.
– Aman Trivedi
6 hours ago
You mean playing the whole melody backwards? In that case, a semibreve stays a semibreve, otherwise you're not doing what you want.
– Tim
6 hours ago
But it seems weird to me because the time gaps between the notes, when reversed, should change as well. Let me attach an example score to show you what I mean.
– Aman Trivedi
6 hours ago
1
Ok, well I see what part of the confusion with your question is: you said your melody ends with a whole note, but there aren’t actually any whole notes in your melody. It ends with a quarter note, so a strict retrograde would begin with a quarter note. Where you place it in the meter is entirely up to your compositional desires. (Except for a small misprint in B) Both of your examples are perfectly fine pitch retrogrades, but only B is also a rhythmic retrograde. You could have started B on beat 1, 2 or 3 without changing that.
– Pat Muchmore
6 hours ago
 |Â
show 1 more comment
up vote
1
down vote
favorite
up vote
1
down vote
favorite
If I was retrograding a melody that ends on a whole note, should I count it as a first beat quarter during reversing it or should I count it as 3 quarter rests + a quarter? I've attached an example score to show you why I am asking this question: The retrograde A maintains the timing between the notes of the original melody and retrograde B is precisely an exact reverse of the melody. I am confused because I am not sure whether the timing between the notes should remain consistent during retrograde or not :/
theory composition
asked 7 hours ago
Aman Trivedi
454
If I was retrograding a melody that ends on a whole note, should I count it as a first beat quarter during reversing it or should I count it as 3 quarter rests + a quarter? I've attached an example score to show you why I am asking this question: The retrograde A maintains the timing between the notes of the original melody and retrograde B is precisely an exact reverse of the melody. I am confused because I am not sure whether the timing between the notes should remain consistent during retrograde or not :/
theory composition
theory composition
asked 7 hours ago
Aman Trivedi
454
asked 7 hours ago
Aman Trivedi
454
edited 6 hours ago
asked 7 hours ago
Aman Trivedi
454
asked 7 hours ago
Aman Trivedi
454
asked 7 hours ago
Aman Trivedi
454
454
What do you mean by 'retrograding'?
– Tim
7 hours ago
I mean reversing the melody.
– Aman Trivedi
6 hours ago
You mean playing the whole melody backwards? In that case, a semibreve stays a semibreve, otherwise you're not doing what you want.
– Tim
6 hours ago
But it seems weird to me because the time gaps between the notes, when reversed, should change as well. Let me attach an example score to show you what I mean.
– Aman Trivedi
6 hours ago
1
Ok, well I see what part of the confusion with your question is: you said your melody ends with a whole note, but there aren’t actually any whole notes in your melody. It ends with a quarter note, so a strict retrograde would begin with a quarter note. Where you place it in the meter is entirely up to your compositional desires. (Except for a small misprint in B) Both of your examples are perfectly fine pitch retrogrades, but only B is also a rhythmic retrograde. You could have started B on beat 1, 2 or 3 without changing that.
– Pat Muchmore
6 hours ago
 |Â
show 1 more comment
What do you mean by 'retrograding'?
– Tim
7 hours ago
I mean reversing the melody.
– Aman Trivedi
6 hours ago
You mean playing the whole melody backwards? In that case, a semibreve stays a semibreve, otherwise you're not doing what you want.
– Tim
6 hours ago
But it seems weird to me because the time gaps between the notes, when reversed, should change as well. Let me attach an example score to show you what I mean.
– Aman Trivedi
6 hours ago
1
Ok, well I see what part of the confusion with your question is: you said your melody ends with a whole note, but there aren’t actually any whole notes in your melody. It ends with a quarter note, so a strict retrograde would begin with a quarter note. Where you place it in the meter is entirely up to your compositional desires. (Except for a small misprint in B) Both of your examples are perfectly fine pitch retrogrades, but only B is also a rhythmic retrograde. You could have started B on beat 1, 2 or 3 without changing that.
– Pat Muchmore
6 hours ago
What do you mean by 'retrograding'?
– Tim
7 hours ago
What do you mean by 'retrograding'?
– Tim
7 hours ago
I mean reversing the melody.
– Aman Trivedi
6 hours ago
I mean reversing the melody.
– Aman Trivedi
6 hours ago
You mean playing the whole melody backwards? In that case, a semibreve stays a semibreve, otherwise you're not doing what you want.
– Tim
6 hours ago
You mean playing the whole melody backwards? In that case, a semibreve stays a semibreve, otherwise you're not doing what you want.
– Tim
6 hours ago
But it seems weird to me because the time gaps between the notes, when reversed, should change as well. Let me attach an example score to show you what I mean.
– Aman Trivedi
6 hours ago
But it seems weird to me because the time gaps between the notes, when reversed, should change as well. Let me attach an example score to show you what I mean.
– Aman Trivedi
6 hours ago
1
1
Ok, well I see what part of the confusion with your question is: you said your melody ends with a whole note, but there aren’t actually any whole notes in your melody. It ends with a quarter note, so a strict retrograde would begin with a quarter note. Where you place it in the meter is entirely up to your compositional desires. (Except for a small misprint in B) Both of your examples are perfectly fine pitch retrogrades, but only B is also a rhythmic retrograde. You could have started B on beat 1, 2 or 3 without changing that.
– Pat Muchmore
6 hours ago
Ok, well I see what part of the confusion with your question is: you said your melody ends with a whole note, but there aren’t actually any whole notes in your melody. It ends with a quarter note, so a strict retrograde would begin with a quarter note. Where you place it in the meter is entirely up to your compositional desires. (Except for a small misprint in B) Both of your examples are perfectly fine pitch retrogrades, but only B is also a rhythmic retrograde. You could have started B on beat 1, 2 or 3 without changing that.
– Pat Muchmore
6 hours ago
 |Â
show 1 more comment
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
up vote
4
down vote
If you are working to someone's set of rules, follow them! Otherwise, I think you can allow yourself some latitude. Do whatever works.
You can use imitation, write a strict canon, or anything inbetween. Likewise with the various transformations. They can be your servant or your master. Modifing the length of a first/last note is a VERY small transgression!
answered 6 hours ago
Laurence Payne
28.1k1350
I'm just trying to understand whether a full reversal (from modern day audio recording standards) of an audio is different from traditional concepts of retrograde because an exact retrograde wouldn't actually sound like the reverse of a motif or a subject if you come to think of it and hence I was confused whether a retrograde simply means that which is reversed on paper or that which is supposed to sound like an actual reverse audio of the melody.
– Aman Trivedi
2 hours ago
Reverse audio would sound QUITE different!
– Laurence Payne
2 hours ago
Right? Because the attack time of the notes would be entirely different than which a full retrograde would have us notate. So retrograde isn't pure reverse right?
– Aman Trivedi
2 hours ago
No. Retrogade is the notes in reverse order. Not the audio reversed. But you knew that really, I think!
– Laurence Payne
2 hours ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
3
down vote
The retrogrades and inversion do not have to follow the same rhythmic values. The shape comes from the interval distances, not the rhythms. When I am composing and making my personal "dictionary" of my melody and the inversion and retrogrades, I don't use note values at all. I just write dots. Then I use whatever I want from there (whole or segments) to write my piece. The inversion and retrogrades are just tools to help you find source material to write your piece, unless you are trying to follow a very specific rule (whether someone else's or your own restrictions for the piece.)
answered 5 hours ago
Heather S.
2,307215
add a comment |Â
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
4
down vote
If you are working to someone's set of rules, follow them! Otherwise, I think you can allow yourself some latitude. Do whatever works.
You can use imitation, write a strict canon, or anything inbetween. Likewise with the various transformations. They can be your servant or your master. Modifing the length of a first/last note is a VERY small transgression!
answered 6 hours ago
Laurence Payne
28.1k1350
I'm just trying to understand whether a full reversal (from modern day audio recording standards) of an audio is different from traditional concepts of retrograde because an exact retrograde wouldn't actually sound like the reverse of a motif or a subject if you come to think of it and hence I was confused whether a retrograde simply means that which is reversed on paper or that which is supposed to sound like an actual reverse audio of the melody.
– Aman Trivedi
2 hours ago
Reverse audio would sound QUITE different!
– Laurence Payne
2 hours ago
Right? Because the attack time of the notes would be entirely different than which a full retrograde would have us notate. So retrograde isn't pure reverse right?
– Aman Trivedi
2 hours ago
No. Retrogade is the notes in reverse order. Not the audio reversed. But you knew that really, I think!
– Laurence Payne
2 hours ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
4
down vote
If you are working to someone's set of rules, follow them! Otherwise, I think you can allow yourself some latitude. Do whatever works.
You can use imitation, write a strict canon, or anything inbetween. Likewise with the various transformations. They can be your servant or your master. Modifing the length of a first/last note is a VERY small transgression!
answered 6 hours ago
Laurence Payne
28.1k1350
I'm just trying to understand whether a full reversal (from modern day audio recording standards) of an audio is different from traditional concepts of retrograde because an exact retrograde wouldn't actually sound like the reverse of a motif or a subject if you come to think of it and hence I was confused whether a retrograde simply means that which is reversed on paper or that which is supposed to sound like an actual reverse audio of the melody.
– Aman Trivedi
2 hours ago
Reverse audio would sound QUITE different!
– Laurence Payne
2 hours ago
Right? Because the attack time of the notes would be entirely different than which a full retrograde would have us notate. So retrograde isn't pure reverse right?
– Aman Trivedi
2 hours ago
No. Retrogade is the notes in reverse order. Not the audio reversed. But you knew that really, I think!
– Laurence Payne
2 hours ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
4
down vote
up vote
4
down vote
If you are working to someone's set of rules, follow them! Otherwise, I think you can allow yourself some latitude. Do whatever works.
You can use imitation, write a strict canon, or anything inbetween. Likewise with the various transformations. They can be your servant or your master. Modifing the length of a first/last note is a VERY small transgression!
answered 6 hours ago
Laurence Payne
28.1k1350
If you are working to someone's set of rules, follow them! Otherwise, I think you can allow yourself some latitude. Do whatever works.
You can use imitation, write a strict canon, or anything inbetween. Likewise with the various transformations. They can be your servant or your master. Modifing the length of a first/last note is a VERY small transgression!
answered 6 hours ago
Laurence Payne
28.1k1350
answered 6 hours ago
Laurence Payne
28.1k1350
answered 6 hours ago
Laurence Payne
28.1k1350
answered 6 hours ago
Laurence Payne
28.1k1350
28.1k1350
I'm just trying to understand whether a full reversal (from modern day audio recording standards) of an audio is different from traditional concepts of retrograde because an exact retrograde wouldn't actually sound like the reverse of a motif or a subject if you come to think of it and hence I was confused whether a retrograde simply means that which is reversed on paper or that which is supposed to sound like an actual reverse audio of the melody.
– Aman Trivedi
2 hours ago
Reverse audio would sound QUITE different!
– Laurence Payne
2 hours ago
Right? Because the attack time of the notes would be entirely different than which a full retrograde would have us notate. So retrograde isn't pure reverse right?
– Aman Trivedi
2 hours ago
No. Retrogade is the notes in reverse order. Not the audio reversed. But you knew that really, I think!
– Laurence Payne
2 hours ago
add a comment |Â
I'm just trying to understand whether a full reversal (from modern day audio recording standards) of an audio is different from traditional concepts of retrograde because an exact retrograde wouldn't actually sound like the reverse of a motif or a subject if you come to think of it and hence I was confused whether a retrograde simply means that which is reversed on paper or that which is supposed to sound like an actual reverse audio of the melody.
– Aman Trivedi
2 hours ago
Reverse audio would sound QUITE different!
– Laurence Payne
2 hours ago
Right? Because the attack time of the notes would be entirely different than which a full retrograde would have us notate. So retrograde isn't pure reverse right?
– Aman Trivedi
2 hours ago
No. Retrogade is the notes in reverse order. Not the audio reversed. But you knew that really, I think!
– Laurence Payne
2 hours ago
I'm just trying to understand whether a full reversal (from modern day audio recording standards) of an audio is different from traditional concepts of retrograde because an exact retrograde wouldn't actually sound like the reverse of a motif or a subject if you come to think of it and hence I was confused whether a retrograde simply means that which is reversed on paper or that which is supposed to sound like an actual reverse audio of the melody.
– Aman Trivedi
2 hours ago
I'm just trying to understand whether a full reversal (from modern day audio recording standards) of an audio is different from traditional concepts of retrograde because an exact retrograde wouldn't actually sound like the reverse of a motif or a subject if you come to think of it and hence I was confused whether a retrograde simply means that which is reversed on paper or that which is supposed to sound like an actual reverse audio of the melody.
– Aman Trivedi
2 hours ago
Reverse audio would sound QUITE different!
– Laurence Payne
2 hours ago
Reverse audio would sound QUITE different!
– Laurence Payne
2 hours ago
Right? Because the attack time of the notes would be entirely different than which a full retrograde would have us notate. So retrograde isn't pure reverse right?
– Aman Trivedi
2 hours ago
Right? Because the attack time of the notes would be entirely different than which a full retrograde would have us notate. So retrograde isn't pure reverse right?
– Aman Trivedi
2 hours ago
No. Retrogade is the notes in reverse order. Not the audio reversed. But you knew that really, I think!
– Laurence Payne
2 hours ago
No. Retrogade is the notes in reverse order. Not the audio reversed. But you knew that really, I think!
– Laurence Payne
2 hours ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
3
down vote
The retrogrades and inversion do not have to follow the same rhythmic values. The shape comes from the interval distances, not the rhythms. When I am composing and making my personal "dictionary" of my melody and the inversion and retrogrades, I don't use note values at all. I just write dots. Then I use whatever I want from there (whole or segments) to write my piece. The inversion and retrogrades are just tools to help you find source material to write your piece, unless you are trying to follow a very specific rule (whether someone else's or your own restrictions for the piece.)
answered 5 hours ago
Heather S.
2,307215
add a comment |Â
up vote
3
down vote
The retrogrades and inversion do not have to follow the same rhythmic values. The shape comes from the interval distances, not the rhythms. When I am composing and making my personal "dictionary" of my melody and the inversion and retrogrades, I don't use note values at all. I just write dots. Then I use whatever I want from there (whole or segments) to write my piece. The inversion and retrogrades are just tools to help you find source material to write your piece, unless you are trying to follow a very specific rule (whether someone else's or your own restrictions for the piece.)
answered 5 hours ago
Heather S.
2,307215
add a comment |Â
up vote
3
down vote
up vote
3
down vote
The retrogrades and inversion do not have to follow the same rhythmic values. The shape comes from the interval distances, not the rhythms. When I am composing and making my personal "dictionary" of my melody and the inversion and retrogrades, I don't use note values at all. I just write dots. Then I use whatever I want from there (whole or segments) to write my piece. The inversion and retrogrades are just tools to help you find source material to write your piece, unless you are trying to follow a very specific rule (whether someone else's or your own restrictions for the piece.)
answered 5 hours ago
Heather S.
2,307215
The retrogrades and inversion do not have to follow the same rhythmic values. The shape comes from the interval distances, not the rhythms. When I am composing and making my personal "dictionary" of my melody and the inversion and retrogrades, I don't use note values at all. I just write dots. Then I use whatever I want from there (whole or segments) to write my piece. The inversion and retrogrades are just tools to help you find source material to write your piece, unless you are trying to follow a very specific rule (whether someone else's or your own restrictions for the piece.)
answered 5 hours ago
Heather S.
2,307215
answered 5 hours ago
Heather S.
2,307215
answered 5 hours ago
Heather S.
2,307215
answered 5 hours ago
Heather S.
2,307215
2,307215
add a comment |Â
add a comment |Â
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What do you mean by 'retrograding'?
– Tim
7 hours ago
I mean reversing the melody.
– Aman Trivedi
6 hours ago
You mean playing the whole melody backwards? In that case, a semibreve stays a semibreve, otherwise you're not doing what you want.
– Tim
6 hours ago
But it seems weird to me because the time gaps between the notes, when reversed, should change as well. Let me attach an example score to show you what I mean.
– Aman Trivedi
6 hours ago
1
Ok, well I see what part of the confusion with your question is: you said your melody ends with a whole note, but there aren’t actually any whole notes in your melody. It ends with a quarter note, so a strict retrograde would begin with a quarter note. Where you place it in the meter is entirely up to your compositional desires. (Except for a small misprint in B) Both of your examples are perfectly fine pitch retrogrades, but only B is also a rhythmic retrograde. You could have started B on beat 1, 2 or 3 without changing that.
– Pat Muchmore
6 hours ago