AboutDr Colin Expertise I can answer questions from students of "classical" composing, arranging, notation problems and music theory, writing for instruments and voice and writing music for education. I can answer questions about orchestration but I do not cover questions about pop or rock music, pop song writing or electronic music.
I taught for many years in UK up to "A" level theory and composition. I have spent many years in music education, initially (like everyone else) as a teacher. Then I moved on to advisory work (teaching teachers!) and also lectured, giving many workshops for teachers in developing music education skills and techniques. For a time I worked as a teacher-lecturer at London University's Institute of Education and eventually worked full-time as a Music Education Adviser to schools in part of London, offering advice on music education and curriculum development.
Experience I started composing music at the age 14 (it was mostly rubbish, since you asked) and now have a large number of compositions to credit as well as many publications, especially for instrumental music and choral music. I have also written several acclaimed works for large orchestra and choir. My work has been published particularly in the UK (under different names)(notably by Boosey & Hawkes, Novello, and Schott) but also in the USA and the Netherlands.
My music for elementary players (several publications) has been performed and broadcast worldwide. I am now retired from my previous job as Music Education Adviser. These days I spend most of my time composing and arranging. I am currently working on instrumental arrangements of world national anthems for my National Anthems website and also completing a suite of very easy piano solos and duets for elementary players. For many years I have used the music program "Finale" for all my music writing activities.
Organizations International Society for Music Education;
Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts.
Publications "The Times" Educational Supplement; "Hi-Fi News and Record Review". For several years, I used to write for many of the state music education periodicals in the US and I also wrote several influential articles on instrumental music teaching for "Music Teacher" magazine in the UK. (UK).
Question I am trying to analyze the first 23 measures of this piece. What are the chords in the first 11 bars.....if you were to identify at least 3 different keys in this passage, what and where would they be? Can you see the use of deceptive resolution during the modulations? Where and what is the process? I appreciate any guidance you can give me.
Answer Hi Craig,
First, very sorry for the delay in my response. I usually respond within 12 hours. I would love to answer your question because it is very interesting. However, I do not have the score of Siegfried at home and it is almost impossible to lay hands on orchestral scores where I live in South East Asia. Although I know the music you are talking about, I couldn't possibly try to analyze it from memory!
However, as you know, Wagner wrote comparatively complex modulations (if such they can be called). Perhaps "transition" is a better word because he is not exactly changing key, merely shifting through a progresson of keys all related (in some degree) to the original key. This approach would also explain the deceptive resolution to which you refer.
I would think there are several websites that could help you in this matter. Maybe you have a local library that contains some useful texts. Anyway, sorry I cannot be of more help on this occasion.
