Grade 6 Composition Courses
Grade 6 Composition Courses
Pass the Grade 6 Theory exam with ease
The Grade 6 Composition Courses are
a bundle of three 8 week courses designed to address the first three
questions of the ABRSM Grade 6 exam. The bundle includes
Harmonising Melodies, Four Part Writing and Melody Writing.
Harmonising Melodies
This is the first course of the Grade 6 Composition Courses and is intended to
build skill sets needed to pass the first question of the ABRSM grade 6
music theory exam.
- how to harmonise a melody
- how to write a successful chord progression
- how to write cadences
- how to write a good bass line
- how to add figured bass
Four Part Writing:
This is the second course of the Grade 6 Composition Courses and is intended to build skill sets needed to pass
the second question of the ABRSM grade 6 music theory exam.
In this course, you will:
Melody Writing
This is the third course of the Grade 6 Composition Courses and is intended to build skill sets needed to pass
the third question of the ABRSM grade 6 music theory exam.
In this course, you will:
- learn how to write and identify implied harmony
- learn how to write a good melody
- learn how to structure melodic phrases
- learn how to use motif to extend a melody
- learn how to shape a melody
Your Instructor
I have been teaching music theory and composition since I began my
graduate education in 1999. While studying for my MA in Music
Composition at the University of Pennsylvania, I started
teaching music theory to Penn
undergraduates. I have since taught music theory and composition at
Interlochen Arts Camp in Michigan, Plymouth University (UK), Dartington
College of Arts (UK), and in my own studio at home. I own and operate
the Totnes School of Piano.
I entered my undergraduate studies completely focussed on studying piano
performance, but I quickly found that studying music theory improved my
sight-reading and my ability to memorise music; it heightened my
musical expression and understanding at the piano; and it eventually led
me to composing music.
I hold dual undergraduate degrees in piano performance and music theory, an MA and PhD in composition from the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, and two MFAs in performance (improvisation emphasis) and electronic music and recording media from Mills College in California, where I won the Flora Boyd Piano Performance Prize in 2011.
But most importantly, I have a passion for teaching music theory. I
believe it is the key that unlocks all musical treasures. It can be
engaging in its own right, but music theory, for me, is best viewed as a
means toward greater musical expression and creativity.