#IN MUSICAL COMPOSITIONS A THEME IS FULL#

In writing, you need to use sentences if you want to make sense.Īt the end of a sentence, you use a full stop (period), to signify that the sentence has finished. You might be asked to mark out the phrase structure of the piece with brackets, or to say whether the piece consists of “regular phrases”, but what is a phrase and how do you identify one?Ī phrase is to music what a sentence or clause is to writing. A change of mood is often brought about by changing any of the items listed above, and usually several will be changed for a clear contrast.A feeling of strength could be achieved by using more instruments (especially powerful ones like French horns), and/or increased dynamics particularly in the lower register.A sense of heightened drama or climax is normally achieved by making the music faster, higher, louder, or a combination of these.You’ll need to examine the same aspects of the music as listed above, but look in particular for things which fit the question.

Typical questions ask how the composer achieves a feeling of strength, climax, drama or change of mood. Instrumentation (which instruments are playing).This is a kind of “spot the difference” question. You may be asked to compare two sections of the score and comment on the similarities and differences. In the grade 7 music theory exam, questions on compositional techniques can range from describing similarities and differences to explaining or locating specific techniques within the score.

In musical compositions a theme is