Music Study Hub

A level Composing

A-level Composing: Getting Started

Prepare to compose by following these steps

Recommended Model Compositions

Base your composition on one of these models

Example A-level Compositions

Study and adopt other successful approaches to A level composition

A-level Composition Briefs

Compose to one of the optional composition briefs set by Edexcel

Scales, Modes & Harmony Guides

Limiting your composition to major and minor scales and triads is boring. Expand your musical vocabulary with non-diatonic scales and modes, chromaticism, chord extensions and dissonance.

Scales & Modes Guide

Chromatic Chords Guide

Non-Harmony Notes Guide

Figured Bass Guide

More Harmony Guides

More Composing Resources

Adopt features from one or more of these genres to develop your A level composition

Early 20th Century English Song

Finzi Dies Natalis

Vaughan Williams Five Mystical Songs

Butterworth A Shropshire Lad

Modern Choral Music

Jonathan Dove Missa Brevis

Jonathan Dove Seek Him That Maketh The Seven Stars

Nico Muhly Set Me As A Seal

Percussion Concertos

James Macmillan Veni Veni Emmanuel

Jennifer Higdon Percussion Concerto

Schwantner Percussion Concerto

Latin American Rhythms in Orchestral Music

Bernstein Symphonic Dances from West Side Story

Piazzolla Libertango

Double Bass Sonatas

Schubert Argeggione Sonata

Bottesini Elegy (Audio)

Bottesini Elegy (Score)

Romantic Piano Trios

Mendelssohn Piano Trio in Dm

Schumann Piano Trio in Gm

Brahms Piano Trio in B

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