Variation: 14 Ways to Compose with One Idea

One of the most common things I hear from composers is "well I've found this nice idea, I really like it, but I just don't know what to do next, I don't know how should I carry it on". Sometimes rather than continuing to hunt in the dark you should just work with what you already have. In this video I look at the musical technique of Variation as a way of turning your initial idea into a larger piece.

00:51 Simple Melodic Variation

01:47 Simple Rhythmic Variation
02:26 Simple Harmonic Variation
02:53 Modal Variation
04:14 Variation as a Form
05:30 Variations over a harmony
07:45. Note Speed Variation
08:53 Bach & Beethoven Variations
10:30 Advanced melodic variations
12:47 Timbre Variations
14:07 Indian Raga Variations
14:52 Heterophony
15:32 Ben Johnston Variations
16:57 YOUR Variation

⦿ Support the Channel on Patreon⦿
  / davidbruce  

⦿Listen to my new album 'The North Wind was a Woman'⦿
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/1E2T6N...
Other services: http://smarturl.it/northwindwasawoman

⦿ Follow me on Twitter⦿
  / davidbruce  

⦿ Follow me on Instagram⦿
  / davidbrucecomposer  

⦿David Bruce Composer Spotify Playlist⦿
https://tinyurl.com/y798swcy

⦿My 2nd YouTube Channel⦿
   / @dbc2  


Examples featured in this video:
Pachelbel's Canon
   • Pachelbel Canon in D Major - the original ...  

La Bergamasca, Marco Uccellini
   • La Bergamasca, Marco Uccellini  

Jascha Heifetz plays Paganini Caprice No. 24
   • Jascha Heifetz plays Paganini Caprice No. 24  

The Harmonius Blacksmith
   • Handel Suite No 5 in E Major 'The Harmonio...  

Yuja Wang Rhapsody on a theme by Paganini Rachmaninoff
   • Yuja Wang Rhapsody on a theme by Paganini ...  

Beethoven Diabelli Variations
   • Beethoven: Diabelli Variations, Op.120 (An...  

Cory Henry playing Amazing Grace
   • Cory Henry - "Amazing Grace" - Live at The...  

Ben Johnston String Quartet No.4
   • Ben Johnston: Quartet #4 "Amazing Grace"  

Bach Goldberg Variations
   • Goldberg Variations Complete (J.S. Bach BW...