The musical interplay of theme and variations has been around for quite a while ( now that's an accurate historical statement eh? ). Perhaps evolving from the earlier call and response, theme and variations is still the bread and butter for the modern improvising musician of American music. In performance of American song, this musical format is simply based on stating a musical theme or motive, then using this idea as a basis for one's improvisations or variations. The theme of the composition sets the artistic mood, provides the musical form, a tonality and overall emotional environment, which when all combined, create what I like to call a performance vehicle. Thus, we state the theme, then variate it in our solos.
So why important for the creative artist of today? Well, in one traditional approach to performing jazz and blues tunes, the theme of the selected composition is stated to set the mood of the music and to establish the basic framework of musical form and basic harmony for the improvisations. As so often happens in blues and jazz performances, once the melody is articulated, each member of the group then takes their turn in restating, interpreting or improvising on the theme in their own way. Once this soloing is complete, the original theme is then played again providing closure for the piece. Players often simply repeat this process with a number of songs creating a "set" or program of music for their performance. And although endless variations are possible, this basic performance format of theme and variations is rather common in our everyday musical adventures with the American sounds and styles. Having a sense of this above format is nearly essential when sitting in with established players in public venues, i.e., on a gig. Following the above guidelines can help ensure a smooth blending of the new voice, making the addition a welcome one for players and listeners alike.
Is theme and variations limited to the musical world? Of course not, it can be found in every endeavor of human activity, whether for pleasure or necessity, we even find it used by some wild animals. Must be a universal principle or something. So if variety is truly a spice of life...? Is creating a theme and then variations from it a natural and intuitive process of our cognitive abilities?
Here is an elementary musical realization of the above concepts, in a somewhat abbreviated form, to just focus in on a theme and some possible variations. These were created by simply singing the theme, then variating the melodic line. Example 1.
Recognize the first melodic motive? From the "skip to the loo" library, which by it's third variation is starting to sound a bit cowboy huh? All are based on the pitches of the major triad yes? Other concepts? What about rhythms? Subdividing the beat from quarter notes to eighth notes is a very common rhythmic variation. Using eighth notes can excite the line. Example 2.
Is the idea of theme and variations to try and recapture the artistic and emotional essence of a melodic theme in the variations, maybe with a new twist? Pretty much. Can you sense the original melody in the above variations? Cool. Must we always stay diatonic in our variations in relation to the original line? Nope, sky's the limit and "pushing the envelope" in the variations is oftentimes warmly received, especially in the jazz idiom. Here is the above theme with a few altered, more adventurous variations. Example 3.
Beginning to move a bit outside perhaps? So, have a favorite melody ot two of your own? Can you sing the line? Play the line? Can you with your singing create a variation of the line? Can you play your variation of the line on your chosen instrument? Can you vocally get a line to swing? Can you translate and articulate this swing feel on your chosen instrument? Thus, just a few of the challenges for the improvising artist, all part of internalizing the American musical language, from which we project the art from our hearts. So very cool.
For more ideas about creating themes and their variations, select call and response, interval studies, perhaps permutation and sequence, for more of a challenge in this essential artistic endeavor.
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Other artistic concepts in this section. How about artistic techniques?
