Nabeel asked 8 years ago
Hello,
When you are changing keys in a sonata do you change the key signature or keep the one that the piece is in?
How do you properly notate rhythm because sometimes it is considered to be wrong?
Thanks 🙂
1 Answers
Jon Brantingham Staff answered 8 years ago
If it is a true modulation I would recommend it. If it’s just a temporary tonicization it’s probably not necessary unless things are going to get messy. I would say for understanding, it’s a good idea. It get’s you in the mindset of your new key instead of accidentally moving back to the old one.
I read that Ravel often had to do quite a few corrections in his music because he neglected to copy out key signatures to all staves when he was composing. Key signatures can help you avoid mistakes.
First movement, measure 2. Also in the first movement of Beethoven’s 23rd sonata, bar 2 (again). Why are the first two notes that are tied like that? One dotted half and one dotted quarter. Thanks!
Could you cite specific measures in the Hammerklavier where dotted rests could be used? I looked through the score briefly but couldn’t find any places. I suppose they could be called “Beethoven Rhythms,” where, because he’s Beethoven, he can get away with not having to use dotted rests lol.
12/8 time basically means twelve 8th notes. So as long as you have the time equivalent of 12 8th notes per bar you will be fine.
Thanks. For example aren’t dotted rests sometimes considered hard to read. So composers don’t use them? In Beethoven’s Hammerklavier there are parts where dotted rests could be used but aren’t. Also isn’t there a way you need to notate your rhythm in time signatures like 12/8.
I think it depends how long you will be in the new key. If after you modulate you plan to be in the key for several pages of the music then I guess you could change the key signature. But if you plan on staying in the new key for only a little while then leave the base key signature as is but then demonstrate you are in a new key through the use of accidentals.
What do you mean rhythm is sometimes considered to be wrong? As long as your beats fit within the time signature, such as 4 beats in 4/4 time, then no rhythm is considered “wrong.”