What compositional techniques does Component 2 reward, and how do you write a Bach chorale technical study?
Compositional techniques and the technical study: harmony and voice-leading (Bach chorale style), melodic development, texture and structure, and the craft skills tested by Composition 2 and rewarded across the composing component.
A focused answer on compositional techniques and the technical study (Composition 2) for Edexcel A-Level Music. Covers Bach chorale harmony and voice-leading, cadences, melodic development, texture and structure, and the craft skills the composing component rewards.
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What this dot point is asking
This page covers the craft of composing that Component 2 rewards, focusing on the technical study (Composition 2), which is often a Bach chorale harmonisation. You must understand four-part harmony and voice-leading, cadences, and the techniques of melodic development, texture and structure that strengthen any composition.
The technical study and chorale harmony
Cadences and phrase structure
Voice-leading rules
Developing ideas, texture and structure
How Edexcel examines this
The craft skills here are assessed through Component 2 (non-examined), where Composition 2 directly tests harmony and voice-leading, and Composition 1 rewards developed ideas, texture and structure. The same theory underlies your appraising answers, because recognising cadences, voice-leading and developmental techniques in the set works draws on exactly these skills. Mastering chorale harmony and developmental technique therefore serves the whole course.
Try this
Q1. Name two voice-leading errors to avoid in a chorale harmonisation. [Knowledge recall]
- Cue. Consecutive (parallel) fifths and octaves, and an unresolved leading note or seventh.
Q2. Name three techniques for developing a melodic idea. [Short explanation]
- Cue. Sequence, inversion, augmentation or diminution, modulation, fragmentation, or re-texturing/re-orchestration.
Exam-style practice questions
Practice questions written in the style of Pearson Edexcel exam questions on this dot point, with worked answer explainers. The year tag is the paper they imitate, not the source.
Edexcel NEA20 marksExplain the rules of four-part harmony and voice-leading needed for a Bach chorale technical study. (Component 2, Composition 2)Show worked answer →
A question on chorale-style harmony, marked on understanding of the conventions.
Texture and voices. Four parts (SATB) in close or open position, each a singable line within its range, the melody usually in the soprano.
Harmony. Functional diatonic chords with strong progressions, correct doubling (often the root), and well-formed cadences (perfect, imperfect, plagal, interrupted) at phrase ends marked by the chorale's pauses.
Voice-leading. Smooth movement, avoiding consecutive (parallel) fifths and octaves, resolving the leading note and sevenths correctly, and using passing notes and suspensions for interest.
A strong answer names the SATB texture, functional harmony, cadences and the voice-leading rules (no consecutives, resolve the leading note), not "harmonise it like Bach".
Edexcel NEA16 marksDescribe three compositional techniques you could use to develop a melodic idea, with examples. (Component 2 assessment)Show worked answer →
A question on developing material.
Techniques. Sequence (repeating a phrase at a different pitch), inversion (turning the intervals upside down), augmentation or diminution (lengthening or shortening note values), modulation (moving to a new key), and re-texturing or re-orchestration (the idea in a new texture or instrument).
Examples. State a short motif, then show it in sequence, then inverted, then in a fuller texture.
A strong answer names at least three techniques and shows how each transforms the idea, rather than listing terms without application.
Related dot points
- Component 2 Composing: the two compositions (Composition 1 to a Pearson brief or free, at least four minutes; Composition 2 a technical study, at least two minutes), the assessment criteria, and how to develop and notate ideas.
A focused answer on Component 2 (Composing) for Edexcel A-Level Music. Covers the two compositions (Composition 1 to a brief or free, Composition 2 a technical study), the assessment criteria, the minimum durations, and how to develop and notate musical ideas for the highest marks.
- Component 1 Performing: the requirements (a recital of at least eight minutes, solo and/or ensemble), the assessment criteria (accuracy, technical control, expression and interpretation), the role of difficulty, and how to prepare and record.
A focused answer on Component 1 (Performing) for Edexcel A-Level Music. Covers the requirement of an eight-minute recital, the assessment criteria of accuracy, technical control, expression and interpretation, the role of difficulty, and how to prepare and record for the highest marks.
- Harmony, tonality and melody as analytical tools: diatonic and chromatic harmony, cadences, modulation, chromatic chords (Neapolitan, augmented sixth, diminished seventh), and melodic devices across the six areas of study.
A focused answer on harmony, tonality and melody for Edexcel A-Level Music appraising. Covers cadences, modulation, functional and chromatic harmony, the Neapolitan and augmented-sixth chords, melodic contour and devices, with the precise vocabulary and bar-referencing Component 3 rewards.
- J. S. Bach: Cantata Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott, BWV 80, movements 1, 2 and 8. The Lutheran chorale cantata, the chorale-fantasia and canon of movement 1, the soprano-bass duet of movement 2, and the closing four-part chorale of movement 8.
A focused answer on the Edexcel A-Level Music set work, Bach's Cantata Ein feste Burg BWV 80 (movements 1, 2 and 8). Covers the Lutheran chorale cantata, the chorale-fantasia and canon of movement 1, the soprano and bass duet of movement 2, the closing chorale, and the Baroque features the appraising exam rewards.
- Texture, structure (form) and rhythm as analytical tools: textural types, the standard forms, metre, syncopation, hemiola, polyrhythm and additive metre across the six areas of study.
A focused answer on texture, structure and rhythm for Edexcel A-Level Music appraising. Covers textural types, binary, ternary, rondo, sonata, ritornello and verse-chorus forms, metre, syncopation, hemiola, polyrhythm and additive metre, with the vocabulary and bar-referencing Component 3 rewards.
Sources & how we know this
- Pearson Edexcel A-Level Music (9MU0) specification (Issue 7) — Pearson Edexcel (2016)