I would like to compose a waltz. Does anyone have tips or thoughts. What are the best keys (if there are any) to write a waltz in, especially a sad waltz?

TADY

The obvious start is an ooom-pah-pah pattern in 3/4 time.

For a sad waltz, play it slowly.

A minor key would probably make the waltz more sad than a major key, but it's not a requirement.

The simplest form for an interesting piece is AABA, which means you play the A section twice, add a contrasting B section, and then repeat A once more (with variations if necessary).

Hope that helps!

When writing the melody: big leaps tend to make it sound happier; step-wise motion tends to make it sound sadder. If it's mostly step-wise, you could add in a few leaps here and there for effect.

B minor and G minor are two of my favorite sad keys.


But also you can use a major key and kind of make everything revolve around the vi chord. This is actually a cool concept, you can play a major key melody, and use only the vi, V, and IV chords, and it will still sound minor if you start or end on the vi chord.

You can try this small chord pattern for a major key, vi, V6, I. I write stuff with those chords all the time.

Thanks for the thoughts :-)

for emotional keys, d flat, a flat, and e flat major

Hi Tady,

If its a sad melody you want best key to work in is A minor. Moderato tempo is good. Sketch out the music on paper. Work in 4 bar lots. Maybe modulating to C major for contact in the middle of the piece.

Its often good to select a title and then write the music with title in mind.

Work slowly through your composition. Look for a little bit of rhythmical variety- e.g. dotted crotchet . Rests are important too. Sometimes that allows your listener to re focus.


Good Luck

Mario.