Writing A Simple Canon
Writing A Modern Canon A canon (or “round”) is a melody which is played by two or more instruments at staggered intervals. Because each part starts the melody at a …
Writing a Pentatonic Composition
Pentatonic Composition A pentatonic piece is built on just five different notes. A minor pentatonic scale uses the notes D, F, G, A and C (or those notes transposed to …
Chromatics in Composition Openings
In this video, we will look at how to deal with composition given openings that contain chromatic notes.
Serial (12-Tone) Composition
12-Tone Serial Compositions Serialism is an Avant Garde composition technique that was invented in the 1920s by a composer called Schoenberg. In a serial or “12-tone” composition, the composer begins …
Composition Walkthrough
Watch the video for a demonstration of how to tackle the ABRSM Grade 8 Composition question. This video is taken from the MyMusicTheory Grade 8 Video Course: see https://mymusictheory.newzenler.com/courses/grade-8-music-theory-abrsm
Idiomatic Writing (Composition Grade 8)
Performance Directions The given opening of your composition will already include: Don’t forget to copy these over in exactly the same way, when you copy the first two bars on …
Modulation (Composition Grade 8)
Modulation Modulations are not stipulated in the ABRSM Grade 8 Composition question, but they are strongly recommended. You are unlikely to get a high mark in the exam if you …
Adapting a Melodic Idea (Composition Grade 8)
Adapting a Melodic Idea Once you have decided which parts of the given opening are the most important (because they give the piece its character), you need to then adapt …
Creating a Structure (Composition Grade 8)
Creating a Structure It is a good idea to start your composition by outlining the whole structure of the composition. By building a skeleton structure first, you are more likely …
Analysing the Given Opening (Composition Grade 8)
Analysing the Given Opening Every note or symbol that you write should have a justification. Each note should be: Find out the Characteristic Features of the Given Opening 1) The …