Instrument Ranges
Instrument Ranges for Composers You need to learn the lowest playable note on each orchestral instrument, so that you are able to write a composition which stays in range. (In …
Motifs, Sequences and Imitation
Motifs A motif is an easy to recognise, short musical idea, which is used to generate new music in a composition. Using the similar motifs throughout a composition helps to …
Composition (ABRSM Grade 6)
Marking Criteria In the ABRSM grade 6 exam you are asked to finish a composition from a given opening. The given opening is around two bars, and the complete composition …
Pivot Chords
Pivot Chords A pivot is a chord which belongs to both the old and new keys. Pivot chords can make modulations smoother, but it is not essential to use a …
Prevailing Key
Prevailing Key The key at the start of a piece of music is the “home” key. Music can change key for brief moments, or for longer passages. When there’s a …
Close Keys
Close Keys for Modulation Whichever key you begin with, the closest keys to modulate to are the dominant (add one sharp or remove one flat), the subdominant (add one flat …
Modulation
Modulation “Modulation” in music means “change of key”. A modulation can happen with or without a change of key signature, and in fact, most modulations do not include a change …
Implied Harmony
Implied Harmony Although we think of harmony as being chords (usually three or more notes sounding at the same time), even a single line of melody has harmony embedded within …
Q2 | Realising a Figured Bass
Q2 Realising a Figured Bass “Realising a figured bass line” is a type of harmony exercise, where the figured bass is used to construct both a melody and inner harmony …
Q1b | Adding a Bass and Figures
ABRSM Grade 6 Q1b: Adding Bass and Figures to a Soprano Line In this lesson we will find out how to add a bass line and figures to a given …