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SingaporeMusic

Composing Techniques

5 dot points across 5 inquiry questions. Click any dot point for a focused answer with worked past exam questions where available.

How do you harmonise a given chorale melody in four parts in the style of Bach, choosing chords, placing cadences and writing singable inner voices?

Harmonise a chorale melody in four parts in Bach style, choosing functional chords, planning cadences at phrase ends, and writing smooth, idiomatic SATB voices
A focused answer to the H2 Music composing outcome on chorale harmonisation. Choosing functional chords for a given soprano, planning cadences at the fermatas, writing smooth SATB inner parts, using passing notes and suspensions, and harmonising in the style of Bach.
11 min answer →

How do you write a shapely melody and develop a small motif into a whole paragraph of music, including when setting words?

Compose effective melodies and develop motifs using contour, phrasing and cadence, sequence, inversion, augmentation and diminution, and apply these to word-setting
A focused answer to the H2 Music composing outcome on melody and motif. Melodic contour, balanced phrasing and cadence, motivic development by repetition, sequence, inversion, augmentation and diminution, and the basics of word-setting (syllabic and melismatic, stress and word-painting).
11 min answer →

How do you give a complete piece a coherent shape, using established forms, contrast and repetition, key and climax to hold it together?

Structure a complete composition coherently, using established forms such as binary, ternary and rondo, balancing unity and contrast, and shaping key, climax and proportion
A focused answer to the H2 Music composing outcome on form. Binary, ternary, rondo, theme and variations and through-composed structures, the balance of unity and contrast, tonal planning, the placement of climax, transitions, and proportion across a complete piece.
10 min answer →

How do you write idiomatically for different instruments and combine them into clear, varied textures within an ensemble?

Write idiomatically for instruments and voices, respecting range, transposition and playing techniques, and manage texture and balance when scoring for an ensemble
A focused answer to the H2 Music composing outcome on instrumental writing and texture. Instrument ranges and registers, transposing instruments and concert pitch, idiomatic techniques, and managing texture, doubling, balance and contrast when scoring for an ensemble.
11 min answer →

What rules of part-writing make tonal harmony sound correct, and how do you connect chords so each voice moves smoothly?

Write idiomatic tonal harmony with secure voice leading, including chord spacing and doubling, smooth part movement, correct treatment of the leading note and sevenths, and avoidance of parallel fifths and octaves
A focused answer to the H2 Music composing outcome on tonal harmony. Spacing and doubling, smooth voice leading, resolving the leading note and chordal sevenths, the rule against parallel fifths and octaves, and connecting chords cleanly in four parts.
11 min answer →