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Composing Techniques

4 dot points across 4 inquiry questions. Click any dot point for a focused answer with worked past exam questions where available.

How do I compose to a brief, meeting its requirements while writing coherent, well-crafted music?

Composing to the OCR-set and learner-set briefs: interpreting a brief's requirements, developing musical ideas with coherence and craft, and structuring, scoring and refining a composition that satisfies the brief.
A focused answer to composing to a brief in OCR A-Level Music. Covers interpreting the OCR-set and learner-set briefs, developing and structuring musical ideas with coherence and craft (melody, harmony, texture, form and instrumentation), and the process of drafting, scoring and refining a composition that genuinely satisfies its brief.
16 min answer →

How do I harmonise a chorale in the style of Bach for the Composing A technical exercise?

The Bach chorale harmonisation technical exercise (Composing A): harmonising a given melody in four parts with functional harmony, correct cadences, good voice-leading and Bachian style, and the common rules and errors.
A focused answer to the Bach chorale harmonisation technical exercise in OCR A-Level Music Composing A. Covers harmonising a given chorale melody in four parts: choosing functional chords and cadences, voice-leading the SATB parts smoothly, using passing notes and suspensions, capturing the Bach style, and avoiding the common errors (parallels, poor spacing, weak cadences).
16 min answer →

What do the OCR composing components require, and how do Composing A and Composing B differ?

The composing components (Composing A, H543/03, and Composing B, H543/04): their briefs, technical exercises, durations and weightings, and how the two routes differ, as the framework for the composing assessment.
A focused answer to the OCR A-Level Music composing components. Explains Composing A (H543/03, 105 marks, 35 percent, at least 8 minutes including an OCR brief, a learner brief and three technical exercises) and Composing B (H543/04, 75 marks, 25 percent, at least 4 minutes, an OCR brief and a learner brief), how the routes differ, and what each requires.
15 min answer →

How do I write two-part counterpoint and a ground bass for the Composing A technical exercises?

The two-part counterpoint and ground bass technical exercises (Composing A): writing a second independent line against a given part with good contrapuntal motion, and composing varied music over a repeating bass with implied harmony.
A focused answer to the two-part counterpoint and ground bass technical exercises in OCR A-Level Music Composing A. Covers writing an independent second line against a given part (consonance, contrary motion, avoiding consecutives, imitation), and composing varied, coherent music over a repeating ground bass with clear implied harmony, plus the common errors.
16 min answer →