Performing and composing ideas
Each of the following techniques can be transferred to other genreStyle of music. of music and inspire performances and compositions.
| In performance | In composing | |
| Offbeat accompaniment rhythms | In pairs, player 1 performs offbeat chords while player 2 improvises a melody. | Add an offbeat rhythm as an accompaniment to add energy to a piece. |
| Ornaments | By adding ornaments to a melody when it is repeated is a good way to develop the passage of music and to highlight performance skills. | Write a simple 8 bar melody. Repeat this melody and add a grace note to one bar and add a trill towards the end to decorate the melody. |
| Playing techniques | Experiment using hammer-ons or pull-offs (for guitar and strings), slides and note bends. | Just like for a performance, a composer needs to be aware of the the capabilities of each of the instruments they have written the music for. |
| Bassline | Like any accompaniment, a bassist should be aware of the dynamic levels of the other performers so that the intention of the performance is maintained. | Use the tonic and dominant of a key (for example C and G in C major) to create a simple bassline by alternating between the two notes. Develop this by composing a melody. |
| Music in thirds | Play a simple melody and play the melody at various intervals above the original. For example Hot Cross Buns in thirds, then try a fourth above, and then try a fifth above. | Using an additional instrument to perform the melody a third above or below will create a countermelody to develop a piece. |
| Offbeat accompaniment rhythms | |
| In performance | In pairs, player 1 performs offbeat chords while player 2 improvises a melody. |
| In composing | Add an offbeat rhythm as an accompaniment to add energy to a piece. |
| Ornaments | |
| In performance | By adding ornaments to a melody when it is repeated is a good way to develop the passage of music and to highlight performance skills. |
| In composing | Write a simple 8 bar melody. Repeat this melody and add a grace note to one bar and add a trill towards the end to decorate the melody. |
| Playing techniques | |
| In performance | Experiment using hammer-ons or pull-offs (for guitar and strings), slides and note bends. |
| In composing | Just like for a performance, a composer needs to be aware of the the capabilities of each of the instruments they have written the music for. |
| Bassline | |
| In performance | Like any accompaniment, a bassist should be aware of the dynamic levels of the other performers so that the intention of the performance is maintained. |
| In composing | Use the tonic and dominant of a key (for example C and G in C major) to create a simple bassline by alternating between the two notes. Develop this by composing a melody. |
| Music in thirds | |
| In performance | Play a simple melody and play the melody at various intervals above the original. For example Hot Cross Buns in thirds, then try a fourth above, and then try a fifth above. |
| In composing | Using an additional instrument to perform the melody a third above or below will create a countermelody to develop a piece. |
