Lead Sheet Composition
This composition was created for my "Music Theory Workshop" module's graded exam assignment.
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We were first given a brief stating that we have to compose a notated music arrangement of 3-minute duration based on our individually assigned lead-sheet which provides us a starting point to the composition.
Besides that, they also required us to include the following instruments in our composition:
• Standard Drum Kit
• Piano
• Bass
• One Chordal instrument e.g. pop keyboard or guitar
• One Melodic instrument e.g. Saxophone, trumpet or clarinet
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This is the lead sheet that I was provided with:
Then, I put the score into a music notation software known as Musescore and found that this lead sheet piece alone already lasted for 1 minute 30 seconds. Hence, I decided to duplicate the score such that the entire piece would be around 3 minutes long. This ensures that the entire piece would not be unique throughout and has a repeat such that people will be able to remember it better. However, considering that it is a duplicate, I applied some of the concepts that I learnt such as step up modulation to help add variation to the piece and keep the listener's attention from start to finish.
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As for the instruments, the Alto Saxophone is my main lead instrument, while the Electric Guitar is my main chordal/supporting instrument. The keyboard is there to add an extra layer of harmony and the bass and drums help to build the foundation, giving the composition its rhythm and structure.
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I made use of dynamics and arpeggios to emphasize certain parts of the composition and to build the energy throughout.
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Besides this, I did some light mixing of the levels such that the main instrument - the Alto Saxophone - would stand out from the others and this will give the listeners something to focus on.
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This is the PDF of my score and the audio of my final work: