Can someone help me write a simple baroque style gavotte?

[will]

Hello.

Just some background about me:

I have studied 2 part counterpoint.

I can add chords to a melody like the ones in Anna Butterworths harmony in practice book.

I am working towards grade 6 theory.

I would like to write a simple gavotte in C major (easy key). I know it has to modulate and I will modulate to the dominant.

However, I don't really know how to start? Do I sketch a structure? Do I get a motif? How can I develop a motif? Or do I start with marking cadences, chord progressions for modulations?

I could compose 2 gavottes with the same melody, but one with 4 part harmony and the other with counterpoint.

Any pointers anyone?



thankyou!

will

[Cody Loyd]

I would suggest researching the gavotte. The genre can be rather prescriptive when it comes to meter, tempo, form, and overall style, although many composers don't follow every guideline.
I don't have time to look it up myself right now, but i can tell you that once you do, the question of where to start will likely be more apparent.

[Henry Butcher]

I think you might benefit from reading a book like...'Melody Writing and Analysis; by Annie O. Warburton'.

I would start with a short motif which may include an up beat of two quater notes as charaterized in the Gavotte.

I'm reading the first chapter 'Preamble' and I wish I could put into other words, but half way down the page the author said:

" The only musical way to compose is to think in musical ideas , or phrases, however short.".......................................
True or not........It's got me singing in my head. Just gotta remember the phrase, write it down then polish it up.
Hope this helps.