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Year 11 - Music

Completing a composition

Composition exemplars: completing a composition

Unit Summary

Pupils analyse exemplar compositions to understand how composers complete and refine a finished piece. They explore idiomatic writing, performance directions, instrumental writing and use of technology to produce effective, polished compositions.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to identify a range of aspects that should be considered when completing a composition and you can apply these to your own composition.

Key Notes

  • When completing a composition, it is important to check the notation for a range of different potential errors.
  • These include checking for inconsistencies or errors in dynamics, accidentals, articulation and note groupings.
  • It is important to check that the layout and formatting of the score and individual parts is clear and easy to read.
  • Checking for any unintentional 'wrong' notes is important.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • accidental: a symbol (sharp, flat or natural) that alters the pitch of a note
  • articulation: the way that a note is played (e.g. staccato, accented, legato)
  • grouping: the way that notes are grouped together in notation; there are strict conventions for how this is typically done

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • There is no such thing as a 'wrong' note.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

1. Explain the lesson in two key points.

When completing a composition, it is important to check the notation for a range of different potential errors. These include checking for inconsistencies or errors in dynamics, accidentals, articulation and note groupings.

2. What does this key word mean in this lesson? 'accidental'

a symbol (sharp, flat or natural) that alters the pitch of a note.

3. Correct this common mistake.

Mistake: There is no such thing as a 'wrong' note. Correction: Technically this is true, but it is important to make sure that the notes you have chosen are chosen deliberately, not by mistake. For example, you might choose to create a clash between notes, but this should be deliberate, not an accidental error.

More Lessons In This Unit

Browse all guides in the Year 11 Music guide library.