strategistFranco (June 30, 2009 at 7:52 pm)

Hey! What's the songs' name at the end of the credits?

Danielpi (June 30, 2009 at 6:47 pm)

Meh. His reaction was bemused indifference. It was more for the kids in the class. It's only on for a second. I've gotten flack from youtubers for it. Yeah, a lot of people have accused it of being "pornographic", which was why I mentioned the comedic intent. I did not mean to suppose anything about your suppositions particularly.

DocHou72 (June 30, 2009 at 6:03 pm)

I knew it wasn't supposed to be erotic. I was just wondering about the reaction by the teacher and what not.

Danielpi (June 30, 2009 at 4:28 pm)

A TV course at NYU no less. No, it wasn't frowned upon, but I was asked about it. It got a big laugh -- so, the lesson was: know your audience. FYI: There's no shortage of sex or nudity in student films. This was intended to be humorous -- not "erotic".

DocHou72 (June 30, 2009 at 7:01 am)

wait was this really on a TV course . . . wouldn't the penis on the chalk board be frowned upon in such a professional context? lawl

unavoltatanto3485 (June 27, 2009 at 12:01 pm)

This is an interesting matter to discuss. Actually, for the sake of the joke, I must admit that a real answer is probably better. It is true that some themes that are supposed to require a tonal answer sound anyway better with a real one, but personally I don't think it is the case of this one. On the other hand you're right in saying that taste plays a big role: there is no way to establish an universally valid rule.

Danielpi (June 26, 2009 at 10:58 pm)

99% of people wouldn't have understood why the answer was "different" from the subject, so it would've been less clear. It would've also had a less chromatic character, which I thought was more fitting -- perhaps that's a matter of taste. Incidentally, you flipped the terms. I'm using a "real" answer. You're suggesting a "tonal" answer. But this is all rather academic. Either option is acceptable, Bach himself employed both at times, and I chose a real answer in this particular instance.

unavoltatanto3485 (June 26, 2009 at 7:08 pm)

Well, it is a big deal. I think that for this theme and for this style of counterpoint it is just a mistake: if you would have answered D-A, your exposition would have sounded more fluent and you would have avoided unnecessary modulating bridges.

Danielpi (June 26, 2009 at 5:24 pm)

Thanks. The D-A vs. E-A thing has been mentioned a million times already. I am aware of it -- was aware when I was writing it -- not to mention that Bach himself did it -- it's not a big deal.

Danielpi (June 26, 2009 at 5:22 pm)

Then read a book about it. Since when do I owe anyone a free composition/theory lesson?

davidloris (June 26, 2009 at 2:42 pm)

pure genius

unavoltatanto3485 (June 26, 2009 at 9:40 am)

Well, actually (following the academic rules and willing to be really disturbing!) the second voice should have started with the mutation D-A rather than a E-A. In fact, this is a "tonal" fugue and not a "real" one, as it starts with a direct dominant-tonic jump. But... doesn't matter, your work is extremely funny and very well made!