How to transform a theme (scalar mapping demonstration)

A demonstration of how to transform a musical theme, using scalar mapping, along with reharmonization and orchestration.

This is part of a series on transforming and developing musical ideas.

Watch the longform explanation videos about scalar mapping here:
   • How to make a musical theme fit any c...  
   • How to practice transforming themes, ...  

Download worksheets on scalar mapping, or variations on "Amazing Grace" for solo organ in the Patreon shop, and get more content such as scores, tutorials, Dorico files, and early access to videos   / galendegraf  

The changing character of this theme has a lot to do with changes to orchestration and harmony in addition to the melodic transformation that takes place moving between scales. However, just playing all the examples on the same instrument isn't nearly as much fun...

Amazing Grace uses the tune "New Britain." Because the melody only uses notes of a pentatonic scale, it could have been measured in terms of an underlying pentatonic scale. However, for this video, I will only be mapping it based on an underlying major scale.

Update: by request in the comments, the examples from this video are now available to stream individually through Soundcloud here:   / al63bz99qu7xwapua  

SOFTWARE AND HARDWARE USED
Graphic design/animation: Adobe Photoshop, Final Cut Pro
Music notation: Dorico
Audio examples: Cubase with Native Instruments Noire and Orchestral Tools Berlin Series
Microphone: Shure MV7 https://amzn.to/3WoVPlm

CHAPTERS
0:00 Intro
1:22 Major
2:04 Minor
2:57 Octatonic
3:48 Chromatic
4:38 Pentatonic

Disclaimer: some links found in the description of videos may be affiliate links, meaning I will make a commission on sales you make through my link at no cost to you.

#musictheory #composer #scales