Part 1: Introduction

1.1: "My Music"

• Definition: Involves selecting and performing music that represents your interests and strengths.

• Objective: Develop and showcase individual musical talents through performance, composition, and critical analysis.

• Focus: The OCR GCSE Music "My Music" component encourages exploration and performance of chosen pieces or styles.

1.2: Components

• Starting Points

• Recording Ideas

• Musical Phrases and Sounds

• Structuring

• Tools for Musical Composition

• Reviewing and Evaluating

• Performance

• Reflection

1.3: General Tip

• Select pieces that resonate personally.

• Ensure chosen pieces match your current abilities but also challenge you to improve.

• Aim for a diverse repertoire to demonstrate versatility.

Part 2: Writing My Own Music - Starting points

2.1: Finding Inspiration To Be An Inspiration

Artists’ inspiration

• John Lennon used Posters and Pictures

  • "Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite": Lyrics and sounds from a fairground poster.

  • "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds": Lyrics inspired by a nursery school drawing.

• Errollyn Wallen used Abstract Art

  • "Mondrian": Moods and textures from visual images translated into musical sounds.

  • Combination of traditional wind instruments and string harmonics.

• Sergei Prokofiev used Music and Storytelling

  • "Peter and the Wolf": Musical motifs for characters based on the story structure.

• Paul Leonard Morgan used Film and TV

  • BAFTA-winning composer for TV and film.

  • Influence of pop and rock arrangements on his scoring style.

Artists that inspire others

• Ludwig van Beethoven

  • Innovations in symphonic and chamber music.

• Johann Sebastian Bach

  • Mastery in counterpoint and harmonic organization.

• Miles Davis

  • Pioneering different styles within jazz.

• John Coltrane

  • Development of modal jazz and improvisation techniques.

• The Beatles

  • Innovations in recording techniques and songwriting.

• Taylor Swift

  • Blending personal storytelling with mainstream appeal.

• Ed Sheeran

  • Utilizing lyrics in creating legendary romantic songs.

2.2: Experimenting and Developing

• Importance of Development:

  • Essential part of composition.

  • Avoid rushing to finish.

  • Develop your initial idea.

• Developing Ideas:

  • Play your idea repeatedly.

  • Extend it or create an answering phrase.

  • Change timbre or instrument for new responses.

• Starting Points:

  • Choose a chord sequence.

  • Grow melody from chords.

• Developing Rhythm Over a Pulse:

  • Start with a strong pulse on a clearly audible instrument.

  • Work out simple, repeated patterns.

  • Clap or sing patterns before transferring to instruments.

  • Add and remove instruments to build texture.

  • Include sections with sudden contrasts.

  • Use percussion signals to indicate new sections.

  • Devise a graphic score for structure.

Techniques for Development

• Repetition: 

  • Use repetition with variations

  • Altering pitch.

  • Removing some notes.

  • Changing note durations.

  • Using retrograde and inversions.

  • Adding ornaments (trills, etc.).

  • Adding new notes.

  • Playing at a different pitch.

• Call and Response

  • Create a phrase and devise an answering phrase. Improvise to generate material.

• Drones

  • Add a drone part for another layer. Explore rhythmic possibilities over a pulse.

More Development Ideas

• Percussion

  • Develop rhythm patterns on a percussion instrument (e.g., djembe). Record or notate patterns.

• Melody Instruments

  • Transfer rhythm patterns to melody instruments. Play patterns on a single note, then add melodic parts.

• Chordal Instruments

  • Use keyboard or guitar to vamp chords to patterns.

• Combining and Layering

  • Combine and layer patterns with different instruments. Use these as a starting point for developing a piece of music.

Part 3: Recording and Storing Your Ideas

3.1: Importance of Storing Ideas

• Rarely finish a composition in one session.

• Essential to have a good system for storing ideas.

3.2: Methods for Recording Ideas

• Recording on Devices

  • Use your phone or another device. Allows listening and reviewing ideas anytime, anywhere.

• Software Storage

  • Ensure the software used for storing ideas is accessible in all composing locations. Consider alternatives if access is limited to one place.

• Manuscript Notes

  • Write down your ideas on musical manuscript paper.

• Notebook Entries

  • Write chord or note letters in a notebook.

3.3: General Advice

• The method of storage doesn’t matter as long as it allows you to effectively pick up from where you left off.

• Don’t rush the recording process – it is a crucial part of composition.

Part 4: Musical Phrases and Sounds 

4.1: Key Process is Repetition

• Repeat ideas and sounds to evaluate them.

• Check if they make sense and feel right.

• Trust your instincts.

4.2: Indicators of Well-Crafted Compositions

• Can you hear clear starts and ends of phrases?

• Can you harmonize your melodies with simple chords?

4.3: Considering GCSE Composing Criteria

• Criteria vary between exam boards.

• You must show evidence of:

  • Developing musical ideas.

  • Selecting appropriate timbres.

Most Important Step

• Listen and repeat your music until you are satisfied.

Part 5: Structuring Your Composition

5.1: Initial Considerations

• Have an idea about the number of sections.

• Be open to changes as ideas develop.

• Consider conventions of the specific style.

5.2: Helpful Questions

• Length of the Piece

  • What is the desired duration?

• Number of Sections

  • How many sections will there be?

• Repetition and Order

  • Will sections repeat, and if so, in what order?

• Introduction and Ending

  • What form will they take? Will they use extracts from other sections?

• Contrasting Sections

  • Will there be a contrasting middle section or bridge?

• Appropriateness for Style

  • Is the structure suitable for the style of music?

5.3: Importance of Structure

• Exam boards expect clear structure in compositions.

• Spend time planning the structure intentionally.

• Avoid letting the structure evolve accidentally.

Part 6: Tools for Musical Composition

• Initial Ideas must come from you as a musician.

• Classroom, fellow learners, and teachers can provide additional ideas.

• The Purpose of Tools is to manipulate ideas.

• Add useful features to make compositions sound more effective.

6.1: Types of Tools

Notation Software

• Best used during or at the end of the composition process.

• Allows you to hear many parts of your composition played simultaneously.

• Ideal for complex compositions with multiple parts. Useful for finalizing and refining your composition.

DAWs - Digital Audio Workstations

• More versatile than notation software.

• Enables music creation without the need for notation or instrumental ability.

• Allows inputting musical ideas and recording directly using microphones and MIDI keyboards.

• Great for experimenting with sounds and arrangements. 

• Facilitates recording and editing of both audio and MIDI. 

• Removes barriers related to notation and instrumental skills.

Part 7: Techniques to Apply

7.1: Performance Techniques

• Practice Regularly

  • Daily practice to build muscle memory.

• Technical Exercises

  • Scales, arpeggios, and other technical exercises.

• Use of Metronome

  • Ensures consistent timing.

• Performance Practice

  • Simulate performance conditions to build confidence.

7.2: Composition Techniques

• Musical Structure

  • Understanding forms such as ABA, sonata, rondo.

• Thematic Development

  • Developing motifs and themes throughout a piece.

• Harmony and Counterpoint

  • Using harmonic progressions and counterpoint effectively.

• Instrumentation

  • Choosing appropriate instruments for desired effects.

7.3: Reflective Techniques

• Critical Listening

  • Analyzing recordings of your performances.

• Feedback

  • Seeking constructive criticism from teachers and peers.

• Self-Evaluation

  • Regularly assessing progress and setting goals.

Part 8: Reviewing and Evaluating Your Composition

• Easily overlooked but essential stage in the composing process.

• Take a step back to evaluate your composition.

8.1: Key Questions for Evaluation

• Fulfilment of the Composition Brief

  • To what extent does your piece fulfil the composition brief?

• Musical Coherence

  • Does it ‘make sense’ as a piece of music as a whole?

• Identifying Issues

  • Are there sections that sound less attractive? What specifically needs to change? Is it the instrumentation? Is it the texture?

• Don’t be afraid to revisit previous stages of the composition process.

• Refinement often requires multiple iterations.

8.2: Success Criteria for GCSE Compositions

• Distinctive Melodies or Rhythms

  • Should have well-shaped phrases.

• Harmonies

  • Must work well with the melody.

• Development

  • Melodies should be well developed.

• Clear Structure

  • A clear and logical structure is essential.

• Effective Instrumentation and Timbres

  • Instrumentation and timbres should be suited to the music.

8.3: Final Thoughts

• Musicality

  • Your composition should be musical and expressive.

• Confidence 

  • Be happy with what you have composed. Have confidence in your own musical voice.