C Major F Major G Major A Minor

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1 For this task you will create a 16 bar composition with a Ground Bass Accompaniment. REMINDER A chord is built on the notes of a scale. e.g. chord of C would have the notes C E G. The first note of the scale is called the root note. A chord with this on the bottom would be in root position. Ground Bass = A Bass line which continuously repeats underneath Changing harmonies Before starting your composition, complete the following activities: 1) Write in the letter names below the following notes in BASS CLEF. *** Rhymes = Lines Good Boys Deserve Fine Apples, Spaces All Cows Eat Grass *** 2) Write in the notes for the following chords in root position in treble and bass clef: C Major F Major G Major A Minor

2 3) Start by choosing a chord for each of the bars below, choosing from C Major, F Major, G Major and A Minor. Then compose a 4 bar Ground Bass based around your chosen chords. REMEMBER you are writing in the BASS CLEF 4) Now compose a melody which can be played over your ground bass. Start by drawing in your ground bass. REMEMBER to make your melody interesting by using a variety of rhythms and passing notes. You may want to think about notes which will complement the chords you have used.

3 5) You are now going to compose a counter-melody which will complement your melody and complete the harmony. [You may want to think about notes which will complement the chords you have used).

4 You are now going to create variations of your Theme. There are many different ways to vary a piece of music. These can include Changing the rhythm or tempo of the music. Modulating (or changing) the key of the music. Adding ornamentation and passing notes to the music. Let s starts by changing the Rhythm. 1. Changing Rhythms By changing the length of the notes, the speed of the music can appear to speed up or slow down. If we double the length of each note in a piece of music, we can appear to half the speed of the music. This technique is known as Augmentation. Original Theme Variation using Augmentation If we half the length of each note in a piece of music, we can appear double the speed of the music. This technique is known as Diminution. Original Theme Variation using Diminution

5 Try the following examples. Use Augmentation to double the length of each of the notes of the theme to create a variation which sounds half the speed. Theme Variation Use Diminution to half the length of each of the notes of the theme to create a variation which sounds twice the speed. Theme Variation Time to write some music! Using manuscript paper, complete your first variation by using either Augmentation or Diminution.

6 2. Modulating (Changing Key) A common way to vary a piece of music is to modulate. This means changing the key of the music. A common key change is going from C major to G major. To do this, every note on the music should be moved forward by counting 5 notes (including the given note). Complete the blanks in the table below to show what happens when notes are modulated from C to G Major. Note in theme Note when Modulated C D E F G A B C G A B F# Transpose the following music from the key of C major given to the key of G major. (Notice the change in the Key Signature G major has one sharpened note, F#) Time to write some music! Using manuscript paper, complete your second variation by Modulating to G Major.

7 3. Adding Ornamentation Music can be made to sound more complex by adding ornamentation. These are extra notes used to decorate the melody. This may include A Trill (Written as) (Sounds like) A Grace Note (Written as) (Sounds like) Passing notes Notes are placed between notes already in the melody. For example could become Time to write some music! Using manuscript paper, complete your third variation by adding Ornamentation to your music. Reflecting on your final composition Now you have completed your Theme and Variations, don t forget to complete your Reflective Log over the page, thinking carefully about how you created your composition, what you have done well and what you would do differently next time.