Nocturne in E-flat

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Walkthrough (1)

Melodic Reduction

A good way to become familiar with the basic structure of a piece is to reduce it to a simple 2-voice outline. By reducing the melody and the bass to their most essential notes, we can more easily see, and hear, the subdivisions of the phrase, the ebb and flow of the musical line, and the points of harmonic repose (cadences). Here, for example, is what the A phrase of our Nocturne looks like reduced to its basic outline. The slurs, dynamic markings, and arrows have been added in order to underscore the musical implications of our outline. Play it...