Performing and composing ideas
Some of the techniques found in Fr茅d茅ric Chopin's Prelude No.15 can be transferred to other performances and composing. By understanding the effects of each may develop musicianship skills. They are shown here in this table.
| In performance | In composing | |
| Ornamentation | Use ornamentation to decorate the melody - especially useful to implement in a solo. | By adding decoration to a melody shows variation in the repeating section. |
| Ternary form | It is important to think about how a repeated section can be reinterpreted in light of what has preceded it. The repeated A section could be played differently to help demonstrate the piece鈥檚 musical journey. | When composing a contrasting middle section, think of ways to vary dynamics, melodic material, time signature, instrumentation or key signature. |
| Modulation | Pay attention to new sharp and flat notes when moving from one key to another. | A modulation can be used to change the mood of a piece. For example modulating to the relative minor could mean that something negative has occurred since the original idea was first heard. |
| Melody and accompaniment texture | Be aware that there is one line of melody and the ensemble is the accompaniment. Within a piece for a solo instrument, the different lines are played simultaneously by one performer so it is important to be able to distinguish these in the music. | A melody should be the centre of attention in the composition and the other instruments need to accompany it. However, the interplay between the melodic and accompaniment elements in composition can be one of the most interesting features of a composition. |
| Ornamentation | |
| In performance | Use ornamentation to decorate the melody - especially useful to implement in a solo. |
| In composing | By adding decoration to a melody shows variation in the repeating section. |
| Ternary form | |
| In performance | It is important to think about how a repeated section can be reinterpreted in light of what has preceded it. The repeated A section could be played differently to help demonstrate the piece鈥檚 musical journey. |
| In composing | When composing a contrasting middle section, think of ways to vary dynamics, melodic material, time signature, instrumentation or key signature. |
| Modulation | |
| In performance | Pay attention to new sharp and flat notes when moving from one key to another. |
| In composing | A modulation can be used to change the mood of a piece. For example modulating to the relative minor could mean that something negative has occurred since the original idea was first heard. |
| Melody and accompaniment texture | |
| In performance | Be aware that there is one line of melody and the ensemble is the accompaniment. Within a piece for a solo instrument, the different lines are played simultaneously by one performer so it is important to be able to distinguish these in the music. |
| In composing | A melody should be the centre of attention in the composition and the other instruments need to accompany it. However, the interplay between the melodic and accompaniment elements in composition can be one of the most interesting features of a composition. |
Impact
Chopin revolutionised piano writing by exploring the piano鈥檚 full potential. More than any other composer, he developed a modern piano technique and style that is still heard and played today. The larger keyboard - seven octaves - and improved mechanism opened up new possibilities of musical expression, which Chopin embraced.
Chopin鈥檚 influence can be heard in the technical piano studies written by Hungarian composer Liszt and the virtuosic concertos composed by Rachmaninov. Bed艡ich Smetana, Antoni Dvo艡ak and Leo拧 Jana膷ek drew inspiration from Chopin by writing patriotic music, taking inspiration from native folk musicTraditional music from a particular country.聽 tunes and melodies. Edward Grieg adopted the Polish composer's concept of patriotic music being regarded as 鈥榟igh art', and in 1903 Grieg wrote the Etude - Homage 谩 Chopin in his honour. Chopin鈥檚 influence can be heard in the music written by Spanish composers Isaac Albeniz, Manuel de Falla and Enrique Granados. Debussy was also influenced by Chopin and a phrase from the Nocturne in D鈾 major is heard in Pr茅lude 脿 l'apr猫s-midi d'un faune.
Chopin鈥檚 pieces have also featured in a variety of television programmes and films including episodes of The Simpsons and Bond film The Spy Who Loved Me.