What does it mean for a piece of music to be played in B Flat Minor?!
Question: Or anything else. Are there symphonies that consist of passages in different keys?
This probably sounds like a stupid question. i am a great lover of music but absolutely technically illiterate.
Answers: Or anything else. Are there symphonies that consist of passages in different keys?
This probably sounds like a stupid question. i am a great lover of music but absolutely technically illiterate.
There are three different kinds of minor scales, and I'll spare you the details of each of them. The harmonic minor, which is often found in classical music follows a pattern of whole (W), half (H) steps, and one step and a half (WH). A whole step is the distance from C to D on any keyboard instrument. A half step is the distance from C to C-sharp. The pattern for a harmonic minor scale is WHWWH(WH)H. If you want a harmonic minor scale in B-flat minor, you start on B-flat and construct the scale according to the pattern: B-Flat*C*D-flat*E-flat*F*
G-flat*A-natural*B-flat.
(This scale is written on two lines because this program won't, for some freaky reason, allow it to be written on one line.)
The (WH) or 1.5 step occurs between the G-flat and the A natural. The basic chords within this key would be I=B-flat*D-flat*F; IV=E-flat*G-flat*B-flat, V=F*A natural*C. The *s separate each component of the scale and the chords. To play the chords, you start with the first note and play the other two along with it.
So, if a section of an orchestral piece, chamber work, or even a solo piece is in B-flat minor, the melody is constructed using the notes of the B-flat minor scale listed above. The harmony in its simplest form would be based on the I, IV and V chords described above.
Of course, composers are free to deviate from this simple a scheme and add richness to their work with more distantly related chords and melody notes from outside the scale. The predominant material in a passage in any key will be based on the scale and its accompanying chords.
I think Bach asked that same question before he performed the fugue.
If a piece is in Bb minor, that's the main key (tonal center) of the piece. Bb minor would consist of 5 flats (Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, Gb). Over the course of a piece of a symphony, many themes are introduced in contrasting keys (how related they are to the main key depends on the time period of music it's being written in) and modulations (temporary key changes).
As you listen to music more and more you'll begin to hear these. If you want to be a total music geek, get a pitchpipe (or use a piano) and see if you can find the tonal center of each section (it'll be the note you'll hear the most--listen down into the bass parts especially).
Hope this helps!
Are there sympohnies that consist of passages in different keys??!!?!!?!?! HA!! You'd be less likely to find one that doesn't!
Bb minor has 5 flats. Just start on Bb and play a minor scale, and you'll see.