Music - MYP 4 and 5 - Samuel Wright - Hodder 2020

: Appropriately named, this work builds its melody (subject) from the C . As you listen to
‘Canon’
Dorian mode
1
12 To what extent is Jazz actually Baroque music in disguise? 343
ACTIVITY: The Mingus canon technique
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Creative thinking skills: Creating original works and ideas; using existing works and ideas in new ways
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The techniques discussed, from canon to counterpoint, are composition techniques characteristic of the 17th Century
Baroque era. But if we jump forward to the music of composer, band leader and bass player Charles Mingus (1922–
1979), we get two works that are worthy of study and imitation. In this activity, you will compose and perform your
very own canons.
the track on the playlist, the second, third and subsequent parts enter with the same subject at each comma.
Mingus explores the middle to low ranges of the instruments in his group, adding layer upon layer with each
repeat. He then adapts this approach by adding an ostinato rhythm in groups of three underneath the canon.
Using the C Dorian mode in Figure 12.28:
create your own modal canon in 8 measures using notation software
a
choose where to direct entering parts to ‘begin’ by adding a small + sign
b
in groups of three or four, play each other’s canons; the aim will be to evaluate each other’s works and
c
develop a performance that is both contemporary and Baroque inspired.
You could use guitars with distortion
, marimbas or drum machines.
Figure 12.28 ‘Canon’ (1973) parts transcription with ostinato
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