Info sheet 3 - How did Debussy create descriptive effects?

Impressionism
Information sheet 3
How did Debussy create descriptive effects?
In this lesson you will:
• Perform ‘Hommage à Voiles’ and experience the
effect of the whole tone scale
• Learn how Debussy used descriptive effects in
his piano music.
Throughout his life, Debussy composed many piano pieces. Many are short ‘character’ pieces with evocative
titles. Listen to extracts from three of his piano pieces, each of which is meant to describe what it is called,
and answer the questions below. The titles are: ‘The snow is dancing’, ‘Canope’ (an Egyptian burial urn) and
‘Feux d’artifice’ (fireworks).
A
1.
a
B
C
Match the beginning of each
piece to one of the graphics.
b
Select one musical element that
you think features strongly in
each piano piece: pitch, rhythm, timbre, texture, dynamics,
structure and silence.
c
How does Debussy use your chosen element in each piece to help create what the title
suggests? Structure your answer as follows:
I think that _____________ is used effectively because...
d
Which piece do you think best suits it’s title, and why?
Performing ‘Hommage à Voiles’
2.
a
Revise the parts from ‘Hommage à Voiles’ that you learned in last week’s lesson.
b
Once you can play the parts together as a group, extend the piece by improvising 4- or 8- bar
solos over the ostinato and drone accompaniment. For your solo improvisation you should use
the notes of the whole tone scale. You could use the same rhythm as ‘Hommage à Voiles’ or use a
rhythm of your own.
3.
Alternate the ‘Hommage à Voiles’ melody with the improvised solo sections to create a rondo structure
(ABACA etc.):
Section A
‘Hommage à Voiles’
melody +
accompaniment
Dynamic: mf
Section B
Improvised solos +
accompaniment
Dynamic: pp
Section A
‘Hommage à Voiles’
melody +
accompaniment
Dynamic: mf
Section B
Improvised solos +
accompaniment
Dynamic: pp
Section A
‘Hommage à Voiles’
melody +
accompaniment
Dynamic: mf