Miami University

INTRODUCTION FOR FACULTY TO THIS SHORT WRITING ASSIGNMENT

This assignment takes students through three stages of a pitch-class set (PCset) analysis: 1) segmentation, 2) labelling, and 3) analyzing patterns and relationships found in steps one and two. It is the first analytical application of the semester using a piece of music, here Anton Webern’s song,“Wie bin ich Froh!”, from the Lieder, Opus 25, No. 1, measures 1-6 (preliminary “computational” exercises have set the stage). The process eventually leads into the first group presentation, which then feeds into my long project.

The writing portions of this assignment (Parts I and III) bookend the technical PCset numbering that will be done in class, and are meant to give students time for analytical reflection before and after the numbering exercise. They will then provide a basis for class discussion at the conclusion of the period. It may look as though I am asking students to be quite precise and terse in their writing. However, this is their first experience using a new analytical technique in a piece of music, so I am concerned that they simply begin the writing process for reflection at this point.

This project was newly written as a part of the CWE workshop. My students were feeling sketchy with the process of segmentation – identifying musically relevant units for analysis. This assignment provides them with an important missing step: a segmentation is already supplied, but they need to infer how and why the segments were created. Writing about it should help developing performers to ascertain, apply, and explain criteria of their own, which can be later be put into practice in their first group project: an analysis of an unsegmented piece.

SHORT WRITING ASSIGNMENT

This short project has three parts, and will be completed in one 75-minute class period.

• Parts 1 and 3 correspond roughly to the first step and the final step in an analysis of the pitch-class set (PC set) structure of an early post-tonal piece.
• Its purpose is to help you decide how to find where sets are within a given piece (segmentation), to draw conclusions based on the data these sets provide (analysis), and to write about the relationships you find.
• These are skills you will be using in your group analysis project and your final project/paper.
• We will do Part #2 (the actual set numbering) in class.

The writing in this assignment is meant to provide the basis for opening and closing class discussion. Only the last question will be graded (done / not done).

Part #I: Segmentation.

Segmentation is the process of discovering potential groupings of notes.
It is the first step involved in a PCset analysis.

Read Straus, Introduction to Post Tonal Theory, 3rd edition, pp. 59-60. In this section, the author outlines five different criteria for segmentation. Outline them by type below.

      1

      2

      3

      4

      5

Now look at a segmented analysis of the opening five measures, as shown in the musical score on the next page.

For each segment given, provide the most appropriate criterion, and add a sentence about how the criterion applies to the segment shown. There is more than a single right answer for each set, so concentrate on making sure your reason clearly relates to your choice.

     H:

     I:

     J:

     K:

     L:

     M:

     N:

     O:

     P:

Part II: PCset numbering (done in class)

For each set given, provide its appropriate PCset name on the score appended.

Use Normal Form, and show both Forte and Chrisman formats.

Part III: ORGANIZATION AND Analysis of Pcset data.

• List all the PCsets in the Webern piece on the chart below.
• Group all the trichords together, then the tetrads, then the pentad.

Look at your chart to determine what patterns of coherence emerge.

Then, write 1-2 sentences for each question below.

• How are all the trichords related to each other?
• How are the trichords related to the tetrads?
• How are the trichords and the tetrads related to the pentad?

Concluding short essay.

Write three sentences commenting on the following statement. You should try to use some of what you have done on this assignment to illustrate your point(s).

“ Understanding the structure of a piece of post-tonal music involves more than finding and labelling the

PCsets.”