An anthem is a work of a musical and literary genre. It is based on two main genres - song (vocal music) and march (solemn, bravura music). Anthems sometimes become the musical hallmark of a country, city, company, other community of people and institutions. There are no restrictions in terms of the choice of the author and addressee of the anthem, therefore anyone who finds the strength to do so can compose the anthem.
Instructions
Step 1
The literary basis of the anthem has a stanza (couplet) form. In other words, from two to four stanzas of 4-8 lines each are written, setting out the attitude and opinion of the author about the subject of chanting, and an additional stanza (future refrain) summarizes the entire content of the text, contains words of praise and glorification.
Step 2
Strictly observe the rhythm in the poetic text. Any departure will be perceived when singing especially brightly and will create the impression of incompleteness, "dampness" of the text.
The content should be related to the praise of the addressee's name. As a rule, the text consists of simple words, which in ordinary poetry can be perceived as banal, pretentious and unacceptable. However, in hymns too, the abuse of clichés and patterns can be a failure. Therefore, in moderation, show originality and freshness of thought.
Step 3
The music of the anthem is based on the genre of the march, so most hymns are written in 4/4 or 2/4 meters - in these dimensions it is convenient to march: either only even or only odd beats correspond to a foot step. However, hymns such as "The Holy War" (after all, this song is written in the genre of an anthem) and "Gaudeamus" are 3/4 meters long. Although they are perceived as solemn, it is quite difficult to march under them: there are strong and weak beats on the same leg.
Step 4
There is no chanting and anniversaries in the hymn, that is, there is one note for one poetic syllable. This makes the hymn related to everyday speech. In addition, it is easier for ordinary people to remember and reproduce such a melody.
Step 5
As a rule, the hymn does not use solo singing, but choral singing. The melody stands out (usually a soprano), but there are echoes. The melody is difficult to discern in a hymn with 5-6 choral voices. The optimal number is 2-3 votes. If there are more voices in the chorus, one of the parts can be dubbed in unison or in an octave.
Elements such as the dotted rhythm, jumping to the fourth, fifth and octave, and incoming ascending movements give solemnity. Deviations in other keys and modulations are practically not used, as they distract from the poetic text.
Step 6
Instrumental accompaniment can be presented by an orchestra, ensemble, piano or absent altogether. In the latter case, the number of voices in the choir can be increased to create greater depth and density. In the presence of accompaniment, instrumental echoes should sound in the pauses between the phrases of the chorus, and the rest of the time they emphasize and set them off. In some cases, it is allowed to duplicate a melodic part by one of the instruments.
