GCSE Composing Briefs

Example Free Composition Briefs

Theme and Variations

The composition is in theme and variations form. Like many theme and variations forms, it is based on an existing theme by a well-known composer (Mozart). It is composed for an advanced pianist, to be performed in a recital of solo piano works.

Song

The composition is a pop song, to be performed by a male/female lead vocalist and common pop backing instruments, including piano, drum kit and bass guitar. It is intended to be performed at a gig with a click track, combining live voice and instruments with overdubbed, studio recorded instruments.

Jazz Waltz

The composition is a jazz waltz, to be performed by a traditional jazz ensemble, combining front line instruments and rhythm section, at a jazz club. (The front line solos are quasi-improvisatory: it is understood that the soloists may play the written solos or improvise their own).  

Theme and Variations

‘Theme and Variations’: Compose a piece in Theme and Variations form for piano. Like composers before you, you may write your variations on an existing theme (borrowed from another composer or from a traditional piece). The theme may be a melody, a chord progression, or a combination of these. Study Mozart’s variations on ‘Ah vous dirai-je maman’, Beethoven’s variations on themes by Handel and Diabelli, Rachmaninov’s variations on a theme by Corelli and other examples.

Minimalism

‘Acoustic Counterpoint’: Compose a piece in a Minimalist style for an ensemble of mainly acoustic instruments, inspired by Steve Reich’s Electric Counterpoint Mvt. III Fast. It should use common, Minimalist compositional techniques found in this or in other Minimalist pieces. These may include: short cells, syncopation, repetition, ostinato, layering, canon, additive and reductive melodies, phase shifting, metamorphosis, sudden key changes and diatonic, static harmony. Study pieces by Steve Reich, John Adams, Philip Glass and others.

Jazz

‘All Jazz’: Compose a piece in a Jazz style inspired by Miles Davis’ ‘All Blues’. It should include features typical of Jazz, found in the music of Miles Davis or similar artists. The composition may feature swing and/or syncopated rhythms, the blues scale and/or modes, repeating chord progressions, a Head Arrangement (a Head and solos), frontline instruments and a rhythm section. Listen to Jazz standards such as Take the ‘A’ Train, Satin Doll, Lullaby of Birdland and Tuxedo Junction played by artists such as Duke Ellington, Glenn Miller and George Shearing.

Pop-Baroque Fusion

‘Pop-Baroque Fusion’: Repeating bass lines and chord progressions were as popular in the Baroque period as they are today. Compose a piece of fusion music on one or more repeating bass lines and chord progressions, combining features of modern pop, rock or indie and Baroque ground bass. 

Pop/Rock/Indie Song

‘Modern Pop/Rock/Indie Song’: Compose a song in a modern pop, rock or indie style. The song might include typical features such as a repeating bass line and/or chord progression and a verse-chorus or verse-refrain structure.

Ternary Form

‘Prelude’: Compose a piece in ternary form for piano or orchestral instrument(s) accompanied by piano. It should include features typical of Baroque, Classical, Romantic and/or Modern western art music.

African Drumming

Compose a piece including features found in the traditional music of West Africa.

Traditional Celtic

Compose a piece including features found in traditional Celtic music using traditional folk instruments such as uilleann pipes, bhodran and fiddle.

Fantasia

Compose a fantasia for piano on two contrasting themes. Study pieces with two or more contrasting themes such as Mozart No. 40 Mvt. I and Chopin Prelude in D flat. 

Minimalism

‘Acoustic Counterpoint’: Compose a piece in a Minimalist style for an ensemble of mainly acoustic instruments, inspired by Steve Reich’s Electric Counterpoint Mvt. III Fast. It should use common, Minimalist compositional techniques found in this or in other Minimalist pieces. These may include: short cells, syncopation, repetition, ostinato, layering, canon, additive and reductive melodies, phase shifting, metamorphosis, sudden key changes and diatonic, static harmony. Study pieces by Steve Reich, John Adams, Philip Glass and others.

Example Set Brief Composition Titles

• Cradle Song: A Tribute to Eleanor Macniece

• Sleep My Darling Sleep: A Tribute to Louis Macniece

• The Refugee: A Tribute to Freddie Mercury

• Music When Soft Voices Die: A Tribute to Mary Shelley

• Funeral Blues: A Tribute to Chester Baldwin

• In Flanders Fields: A Tribute to The Unknown Soldier

• In Every Cry Of Every Man: A Tribute to William Blake

• Let Us Go Then You And I: A Tribute to My Love

• Ploughing: A Tribute to My Father

• Lullaby: A Tribute To My Niece

• Cradle Song: A Tribute To My Nephew