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My Music (Area of Study 1)

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

How do you compose to a free brief for the Integrated Portfolio?

The free-brief composition for the Integrated Portfolio: setting your own brief in a style you know, generating and developing musical ideas, controlling the elements to fit the intended effect, and submitting a score or written account plus a recording.
A focused answer to the free-brief composition in OCR GCSE Music J536, covering how to set your own brief, generate and develop musical ideas, control the elements to fit an intended effect, and submit a score or written account with a recording.
11 min answer →

How do you prepare a solo performance on your own instrument for the Integrated Portfolio?

The solo performance for the Integrated Portfolio: choosing repertoire on your own instrument or voice, controlling accuracy and the elements (dynamics, articulation, phrasing, tempo), communicating an interpretation, and recording it to the OCR minimum length.
A focused answer to the solo performance in OCR GCSE Music J536, covering how to choose repertoire on your own instrument or voice, control accuracy and the elements, communicate an interpretation, and record a performance that meets the OCR minimum length.
11 min answer →

What is Area of Study 1 My Music, and how does it shape the Integrated Portfolio?

Area of Study 1 My Music: the candidate-centred area built on your own instrument, voice and chosen styles, examined only through the Integrated Portfolio (one solo performance plus one free-brief composition, worth 30%), not in the written paper.
A focused answer to Area of Study 1 My Music in OCR GCSE Music J536, covering how it is built on your own instrument and chosen styles, how it is examined through the Integrated Portfolio rather than the written paper, and what the solo performance and free-brief composition involve.
10 min answer →

How can music technology support performing and composing in OCR GCSE Music?

Music technology in the Integrated Portfolio: sequencing and recording compositions in a DAW, capturing performances, using MIDI, multitracking and editing, and the option to perform or compose using technology as your instrument.
A focused answer to using music technology in OCR GCSE Music J536, covering sequencing and recording compositions in a DAW, capturing performances, MIDI, multitracking and editing, and performing or composing with technology as your chosen medium.
10 min answer →