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Composing

Quick questions on Harmonising a melody with primary chords explained: O-Level Music

9short Q&A pairs drawn directly from our worked dot-point answer. For full context and worked exam questions, read the parent dot-point page.

What are the primary chords?
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The three primary chords are built on the first, fourth and fifth degrees of the scale, and between them they contain every note of the major scale:
What is plan the cadences first?
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The phrase ends are the structural pillars, so decide their cadences before anything else, choosing the chords from the melody's ending notes:
What is choose a chord for each note?
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Working between the cadences, give each main melody note a primary chord that contains it. Where a note fits more than one chord, choose the one that flows best from the previous chord (smooth progressions include I to IV, IV to V, and V to I). Keep a steady harmonic rhythm, often one chord per bar or per two beats, rather than changing chord on every note.
What is keep the bass smooth?
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Put the chord roots in the bass, but choose octaves and the chord order so the bass line moves reasonably smoothly rather than leaping wildly. A bass that mostly steps or makes small leaps supports the harmony better than one that jumps about.
What are not planning the cadences?
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Fix the phrase-end cadences first; they are the pillars the rest is built around.
What is a leaping, awkward bass?
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Put the roots in the bass but choose octaves and chord order so the bass moves smoothly, not in wild jumps.
What is q1?
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Name the primary chords and the scale degrees each contains. [3 marks]
What is q2?
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A phrase ends on the tonic. Suggest a cadence and the chords, and name it. [2 marks]
What is q3?
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Explain why you should plan the cadences before harmonising the rest of the melody. [2 marks]

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