Composing Spotlight: Serenade in Db
Hello!
This month’s composing spotlight takes a look at a piano Serenade in Db, subtitled “Sunshine”, from my second album, Serenades.
This piece of music was written for someone very close to me and as such I crafted with utmost delicacy and care. It’s sole intention is to reflect the gratefulness and appreciation I have for them and the impacts they’ve had on my life. This music was written almost five years ago, but its meaning still holds true.
So, how did I write it?
Well the first thing I did was find inspiration. In this case, it came from the menu music of the video game Halo: Reach - specifically the last thirty seconds or so. You will notice how similar it is to the latter half of this piece.
Secondly, I decided on an instrument. For this serenade I wanted the recipient to be able to play it, so I wrote it for piano. But also, I tried to not make it too complicated. Being a serenade I wanted it soft and airy. Of course, that meant no complex rhythms or passages, but did not preclude me from writing the piece in D-flat and the very uncommon 15/8 time signature. Yes, that’s 5 beats of triplets per bar.
Beginning of the piece. 15/8 time signature and a very specific tempo marking.
Despite the 15/8, the piece does not feel like it has that extra beat in each bar, nor does it seem like there is an irregular time signature. If you actually beat it to yourself in 4 you will noticed it’s almost two 4/4 bars in one. It’s perhaps best thought of as a 9/8 bar with a 3/4 bar at the end.
To make things warm and pleasant I begin the piece with both hands above middle-C. The first part is gentle ringing chords and a slow melody. For the whole piece each bar is divided into harmony, then melody. The chord sequence is established right here: Db - Bbm - Fm - Gb (or variations thereof).
Building into the 12/8 section.
As the music moves forward, it begins to develop a bit, yet still remains soft and dreamlike. The harmonic chords in the first half of each bar are further broken down and the melody in the second half of the bar follows suit. This allows the music to move toward the 12/8 section. Notice that on the right hand the music is moving upwards into the higher registers of the piano, whilst on the left hand it is descending lower toward the bass. This is intentional. The beauty and happiness on topic supported by a deep foundation of understanding and care. The lower notes are not angry or aggressive, they are still gentle, providing wholeness to the melody on top.
12/8 section - a complete change in the structure of the piece.
This leads into the 12/8 section, which is perhaps a little more traditional of my writing. On the right hand is the melody, tender, yet distinctive, ringing high on the piano, and on the left hand is the supporting harmonics, chords and rhythm.
However, I wanted to make something simple and sweet. This is the part where you pour your emotion into your playing. The chord sequence doesn’t change, which keeps it recognisable, but vertical divides in the bars are gone and turned sideways. Dynamics barely escape the piano range. Everything is intended to emulate appreciation.
From here it begins to develop and grow. For all the complexity I said I wanted to avoid, we eventually end up with hands crossing over and very brief rests. But the components are all the same as they were: the melody is recognisable, it’s just had a few flourishes added, and the deep bass octaves the right hand has to achieve really ground the music in counterpoint to the floating melody.
Climax of the music, hand crossing intended.
The result is something magical, but beautiful. It invokes warmth and happiness, much like sunshine, and it is the perfect fit for the person it was written for. it reflects their bright personality, it reflects the wonderful impact they’ve had on my life and it reflects everything beautiful that will happen in the future. But no, it is not a love song :)
Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoyed this spotlight!
