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Trinity Grade 2 Composition

In the grade two Trinity exam, you may be asked to compose a short melody to a given rhythm. You will normally be given some guidance on the notes you need to use, for example:

  • use notes of the tonic triad
  • use the first five degrees of the scale

In this question the examiner will be looking for the following:

  • correct notation (stem direction, nicely drawn notes)
  • accurate copying of the given rhythm
  • correctly written key signature
  • correct selection of notes (take notice of the clef!)

Here is an example.

Write a tune to the given rhythm using the notes of the tonic triad. Use a key signature and finish on the tonic.

G major

Trinity composition

First of all, work out which notes you are supposed to use. The key is G major, so the notes of the tonic triad are G, B and D. The tonic is G, so that is the note we need to end on. You can use the notes in any register – high or low, but your melody will sound better if you avoid lots of enormous leaps!

Here is one possible answer:

Trinity composition based on triad notes

Here is a different type of question.

Write a tune to the given rhythm using the first five notes of the scale. Use a key signature and finish on the tonic.

D minor

Trinity composition based on scale notes

The first five notes in the scale of D minor are D-E-F-G-A and the tonic is D. Try to use all the notes.

Here is one possible answer:

Trinity composition based on scale notes

Composition Exercises

a. Write a tune to the given rhythm using the notes of the tonic triad. Use a key signature and finish on the tonic.

E minor

trinity 3 2

trinity 3 2 stave

 

b. Write a tune to the given rhythm using the first five notes of the scale. Use a key signature and finish on the tonic.

F major

trinity 2 4

trinity 2 4 stave