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Posted

So I am working on a scherzo and I got the first 3 phrases done but then I reached a composer's block. I am trying to get a more Haydnesque feel to this scherzo while still having some originality. Here are the ways that I have tried to get a Haydnesque feel across:

  • Hemiola in the first phrase, so like instead of quarter note tied to eighth note which would get across 3 beats, I write it as 2 dotted quarters which gets across the feeling of 2 beats in 3/4. In my case, it almost sounds like there is a triplet rest between the dotted quarters, even though I didn't write any rests there.
  • Accenting the subdominant note in the first 2 measures to make it sound like I am in Bb major for a little bit before you realize that it is in F major. The subdominant note in both the first and second measures is on beat 3, so it sounds like I have a 2 beat pickup measure, even though I don't have a pickup measure at all.
  • Sudden dynamic shift corresponding with a shift from simple triads to big chords across both hands(I kind of borrowed this from Haydn's Surprise Symphony)
  • Using an augmented 6th chord in place of a dominant 7th chord
  • Delaying resolution

I use a lot of staccato here but I withheld from using it until after the first phrase. Even though I have 19 measures here, it only lasts for 25 seconds because the tempo is at quarter note = 140. So what do you think of my scherzo so far and do you have any suggestions on going further with the scherzo? And do you think the sudden forte chords get across a more Beethovenian vibe? Because I have noticed some people say that the sudden forte chords get across a more Beethovenian vibe and makes the scherzo sound more like one that Beethoven would have written than one that Haydn would have written.

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Posted

Some other thing Haydn used is repetition of the same notes and jumps, i suggest you to add them.

 

With the block ifself i dont think i can help, you need to go for a walk, see paintings or pictures of what you want to reflect and develope/variate your theme.

Posted

It sounds nice, although those big chords are out of place (I think). I wonder why people find it exciting to imitate Haydn or Mozart or whoever. I'm respectful, but "with all there is, why settle just for a piece of sky?".

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