Playable BooksREADING EDITIONS
McKay, Creative Orchestration

George Frederick McKay · section 103 of 111

Sufficient vigor of design

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The value of sufficient design is illustrated in the following three examples:

Allegretto ritmico — Flutes (mf); Viola (mf) (4/4) — the viola part a single quarter note per measure
Fig. 250 · Play this example in the reader ▶

Here the viola design is rather blank and has almost no significant structure. If a mere grace note is added to the viola part, as in the next example, the design is strengthened and made more tangible, and the musical feeling immediately becomes heightened.

Viola part with an added grace note (sfz)
Fig. 251 · Play this example in the reader ▶

If the viola part is further strengthened by more definite design, as shown below, the result will be even more striking.

Viola part with grace notes, eighth notes and a closing trill figure (tr)
Fig. 252 · Play this example in the reader ▶