nikolaus d asked 8 years ago
Hey Jon,
thanks for always answring my questions,that helps a lot.
I finished composing Main Theme, Transition and Subordinate Theme. After Starting with my Main Theme again in the Transition i start Modualtion to FMaj.( Main Theme was in Dm) But when i start the Main Theme it sounds so very happy and Major kinda. When i listen to Beethovens Sonata it has a very dark kind of minor sound to it. Why is that? Hey is also in Major Key in the Subordinate Theme right? How can i avoid this huge gap beetween Minor Main Theme and Major Subordinate Theme. I dont want it to sound so apart from each other…
Hope u have some advice,thanks alt and best regards
Nik
Jon Brantingham Staff answered 8 years ago
I think there are basically two reasons.
First, Beethoven starts his subordinate theme with an Fb. This is a flat 6th in the key of A b major, and gives it a feeling of modal mixture being used.
He also uses quite a few diminished and applied diminished chords throughout, which can also make it sound like modal borrowing is being used.
Together, they sound darker.
Another technique you can use is the lower registers on the piano. Lower sounds tend to be perceived as darker.
nikolaus d
replied 8 years ago Thanks Jon!