Hello everyone, I'm new here.
I've recently been studying the Schillinger System of Musical Composition, and to apply what I'm learning, I've decided to compose a set of variations over the course of time that I'm studying this system. As of now, I'm planing on using a theme from Bernstein's On the Waterfront (the opening horn theme played in this video), and using just solo piano (though, since Schillenger also discusses some Orchestration techniques, it might be a better learning experience to score it for multiple instruments, but I'll decide on that when I come to it).
My question involves theme-and-variation form. Most forms seem to "map out" easily the processes of introduction, development, restatement, tonal movement, etc. which a composer may then work with in his own way. Variation form seems to be much less rigid in these aspects, and thus for an inexperienced composer, it is a bit harder to think about in terms of large-scale structure.
So, my basic question is what sorts of formal techniques would be helpful to consider when first considering the larger structure of a Variation form?
I really appreciate any help!
