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How do you draw insightful comparisons between contrasting pieces?

With questions focusing on two contrasting pieces, it is sometimes difficult to find areas of similarity. If you can, this can be a useful starting point for exploring the differences. An effective approach ...
LW
Answered by Lydia W. • Music tutor
4166 Views

How do you start to harmonise a 4-part Bach-style Chorale?

Initially, decide upon the key in which the piece is written. Key signature, accidentals and the beginning and end of the melody are good indicators. Secondly, decide whether there are any modulations. If so...
JL
Answered by James L. • Music tutor
4051 Views

Compare and constrast the use of melody and instrumentation in Schoenberg's Der Kranke Mond from Pierrot Lunaire

In Schoenberg's Der Kranke Mond (1912), both melody and instrumentation are used to reflect the eerie, expressionistic style of the music. Schoenberg uses solo voice and flute throughout Der Kranke Mond, an ...
SP
Answered by Susanna P. • Music tutor
6858 Views

Why does my set work only partially conform to Sonata Form?

Sonata form is so ubiquitous throughout GCSE and A level studies than many students misunderstand—or are never taught—that it is but one example of multiple ways to analyse any piece of music. This might see...
LL
Answered by Lazar L. • Music tutor
3848 Views

Explain how <composer's name>'s use of instrumentation reflects the content of the extramusical work it accompanies.

This would be one aspect of one of the essay questions relating to one of the students set works, in this instance looking at one of their set works with some extra-musical content, such as a musical or a fi...
CH
Answered by Christopher H. • Music tutor
3448 Views