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Repetition and Contrast in Western Music 1650 - 1900

4 Composing briefs based on musical forms

Form - Example Brief
Ground Bass explained

example composition

Compose a slow piece for solemn procession over a steady ground bass or a fast moving ground bass for a marching band.  
Variations explained

example composition

Write a set of variations based on a well-known folk tune, hymn or pop tune to be presented in a school Arts week. Use a tune with lots of scope for manipulation with a mixture of step wise and leaping movement.
Ternary Form explained

example composition

Compose a short piece called 'contrasts' to be played in the school concert. It should be played with the contrast of two blocks of material ((arranged ABA) with changes in speed, texture and dynamics.  
Rondo explained

example composition

Compose a piece for different groups in your class. Everyone will play the rondo sections. In the episodes, different groups will show off their different instrumental skills and colours. (E.g. clarinet and piano) The episodes could be created from repeated four bar phrases.

Any of the briefs above can be modified to suit the interests of the composer.

Link: Traditional Western music composing and notating skills

 

Reference: KS3 Classical Styles

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