Composers often get stuck, have writer’s block, or just need to get the creative energies flowing before a session. That’s precisely why I created these three creativity prompts! The idea is to spend no more than around thirty minutes with each of these challenges. I have used each of these prompts personally as well as with composition students in the past. Let’s get writing!
Read MoreIn the previous issue of The Theisen Journal, I outlined how we could combine traditional triads in ways that would complete twelve-tone aggregates. In this issue, I will explore merging two or more of the same traditional seventh chord type - fully-diminished, half-diminished, minor-minor, major-minor (dominant), and major-major seventh chords - into total chromatic structures.
Read MoreI am fascinated with how we may combine triad types (major, minor, diminished, and augmented) with non-overlapping pitch class content into total chromatic collections for aggregate harmonies or twelve-tone rows. In this issue of The Theisen Journal, I will be outlining ways we can combine triad types that exhaust the equal-tempered twelve-note aggregate.
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