Performing and composing ideas
Some of the techniques found in With A Little Help From My Friends can be transferred to other performances and composing. By understanding the effects of each may develop musicianship skills. They are shown in this table.
| In performance | In composing | |
| Instrumentation & timbre | Ensure that the ensemble is balanced when playing amplified instruments. Levels need to be set correctly. | Write a piece of music for a traditional rock band line-up, bear in mind the technology such as guitar effects and recording techniques. |
| Verse-chorus structure | Create contrast between the different sections by increasing the dynamics during the chorus. | This format could be followed when writing a rock or pop song. |
| Using primary chords | Think about the cadence points and the chords that underpin them to give you clues as to the music’s structure. This will help shape your musical performance appropriately. | Create a chord progression using only chords I, IV and V. |
| Modulation | Make sure to pay attention to new sharp and flat notes when moving from different key signatures. | A modulation can be used to change the mood of a piece, eg modulating to the relative minor means that something sad has occurred. |
| Hook | Repetitive elements, such as hooks, make the music memorable and are good musical ideas to develop and add variation as they are repeated in the song. | Write a memorable and catchy melodic line that could be repeated and used as the basis for a chorus. |
| Melody and accompaniment | Be aware that there is one line of melody and the ensemble is the accompaniment and be conscious of balancing. | A melody should be the centre of attention in the composition and the other instruments need to accompany it. |
| Instrumentation & timbre | |
|---|---|
| In performance | Ensure that the ensemble is balanced when playing amplified instruments. Levels need to be set correctly. |
| In composing | Write a piece of music for a traditional rock band line-up, bear in mind the technology such as guitar effects and recording techniques. |
| Verse-chorus structure | |
|---|---|
| In performance | Create contrast between the different sections by increasing the dynamics during the chorus. |
| In composing | This format could be followed when writing a rock or pop song. |
| Using primary chords | |
|---|---|
| In performance | Think about the cadence points and the chords that underpin them to give you clues as to the music’s structure. This will help shape your musical performance appropriately. |
| In composing | Create a chord progression using only chords I, IV and V. |
| Modulation | |
|---|---|
| In performance | Make sure to pay attention to new sharp and flat notes when moving from different key signatures. |
| In composing | A modulation can be used to change the mood of a piece, eg modulating to the relative minor means that something sad has occurred. |
| Hook | |
|---|---|
| In performance | Repetitive elements, such as hooks, make the music memorable and are good musical ideas to develop and add variation as they are repeated in the song. |
| In composing | Write a memorable and catchy melodic line that could be repeated and used as the basis for a chorus. |
| Melody and accompaniment | |
|---|---|
| In performance | Be aware that there is one line of melody and the ensemble is the accompaniment and be conscious of balancing. |
| In composing | A melody should be the centre of attention in the composition and the other instruments need to accompany it. |
