Re: What do you think is necessary in order to have an excellentcomposition?

[Daryl Shawn <highhorse@mhorse.com>]

I agree with you. The golden rectangle thang is more an observation; 
it's one example of a structure that frequently works. But yeah, there's 
all kinds of stuff I listen to without some of those constants you 
mention. With Glass's "Music in Fifths" as an example once again, it 
dispenses with so many of them, but it's just great stuff. There's 
hardly a structure other than linear repetition with variation, 
extremely limited harmony, no counterpoint, a metronomic rhythm, a 
"melody" that constantly changes. But it doesn't need anything else.

Myself, I'd say "it happens to follow some rules". A piece can follow 
ALL the rules and still be excellent. But as to how many rules are 
followed or broken, if the product works, that's all that counts.

Daryl Shawn
www.swanwelder.com

>> structure makes its own sense, anything can work.
>
> I would say the sense makes it work. Any good composition needs to 
> make sense, and thats it. The skill and art is, to transport this to 
> an audience. It works, if the audience can recognize it...
>
>> I do find that the golden rectangle is a construct that pops up again
>> and again, particularly in pop songs. The climax, bridge, solo,
>> whatever is nearly always at that magical point.
> But it doesn't work if it doesn't make sense, and if there is sense, 
> it might not need it. I could always find an example of music you 
> like, which would not follow any concrete rules, some might think are 
> essential. That music needs to make sense is not a rule which would 
> give you tools to compose, but it will free your mind to explore new 
> frontiers.
> The rules can deliver a frame, they are not the music, you put the 
> music into a frame, but music can very well survive without it...
>
> There are so many statements like: Music needs a rythm, music needs a 
> melody, music needs harmony, music needs a form - all with a 
> connatation of concrete rules, mostly historic relevant rules. All 
> this is bullshit...
> It might lead to beautiful music, but not because of following the 
> rules, I'd say though it follows some rules...