TIPS

Harmony & Melody

Composition paper: Timing

1 hour 30 minutes Read paper 5 minutes Melody: 25 – 30 minutes Harmony: 40 – 45 minutes Checking: 10 minutes

Harmony requirements

Major and minor keys up to 4 sharps and flats

Root position chords First inversion chords Dominant 7th chord Cadences Simple and compound times

Approach to question 5

Check key Fill out chord bank Ensure minor and sharps and flats are included as

necessary on chord bank Look through the melody to find where the

cadences should be Insert chords for cadences Then fill in rest of the chords Sketch the bassline in semibreves matching each

chord with the correct bass note Apply a rhythm to the bass line in keeping with the

opening

Marking scheme C = Chords CQ = Chord quality B = Bass notes BQ = Quality of bass line

HARMONY

Accuracy of chord grid Alignment of bass line Doubled 3rd in bass Checking all notes fit in a chord

unless passing or auxiliary notes

Melody Consider question 1 and 3, take time to

decide which you will do. Establish the key and write out the scale If in a major key, work out the dominant

key and write out its scale Decide on the form Plan rhythm, then tonic solfa and finally

on stave Have a sense of key in correct places

MELODY A sense of key Care with the accidentals End on ‘doh’ Variety between the phrases