Music GCSE 12 Marker

How do you write a Music GCSE 12 marker? Do you need an introductions and conclusion? My question is "Discuss the way in which Bach has exploited melody, texture and harmony in the 3rd Movement of the Brandenburg Concerto no. 5 in D major, that are typical of Baroque Music" And I'm really stuck :-(

Don’t worry, we’ve all been there

The most important thing when doing a music 12 marker imo is linking back to the question. It’s not just stating as many features as possible: instead, explain WHY they are effective and how they make a good exploitation of melody, texture and harmony.

As far as 12 marks go, in the actual exam (under Edexcel) they are comparisons of two features and two pieces, eg Star Wars and Cinema Paradiso, tonality and instrumentation. However, you can definitely adapt here.

The next most important thing is that you must stick to a set structure where applicable. Mine that has been given by my teacher is this (I’ve adapted to your question):
•introduction, with time of writing, style and mood, and establishing what you’re writing about.
•one paragraph explaining a feature of one of the pieces, link back to Q
•another explaining the same feature in a separate piece
•repeat twice for regular 12 mark. Paragraphs roughly 6-10 lines long.
•conclusion evaluating similarities and differences

For your question:
•do three paragraphs evaluating each feature.
•use the rest of the structure above.

For some points for your question, write about:
•Melody - played by concertino solo instruments. Scalic and conjunct. Many melodies which interweave. Subject and answer (links to texture too). Some stretto.
•Texture - mainly fugal and contrapuntal. However, has passages of monophony+homophony+canon. Sparser at the start, gets fuller.
•Harmony - standard Baroque really. Cadential chord progressions. Played mostly by harpsichord which does figured bass harmony.

Use specific bar numbers, and for AO4 marks, you HAVE to link back and comment on effect.

Hope this helps!!

Absolute Legend, Thank you soooooo much!!!!!!!!!!

Wait how did I get here again...

Don’t worry, we’ve all been there

The most important thing when doing a music 12 marker imo is linking back to the question. It’s not just stating as many features as possible: instead, explain WHY they are effective and how they make a good exploitation of melody, texture and harmony.

As far as 12 marks go, in the actual exam (under Edexcel) they are comparisons of two features and two pieces, eg Star Wars and Cinema Paradiso, tonality and instrumentation. However, you can definitely adapt here.

The next most important thing is that you must stick to a set structure where applicable. Mine that has been given by my teacher is this (I’ve adapted to your question):
•introduction, with time of writing, style and mood, and establishing what you’re writing about.
•one paragraph explaining a feature of one of the pieces, link back to Q
•another explaining the same feature in a separate piece
•repeat twice (4 paras) for regular 12 mark. Paragraphs roughly 6-10 lines long, except for intro
•conclusion evaluating similarities and differences

For your question:
•do three paragraphs evaluating each feature (x3 paras)
•use the rest of the structure above.

For some points for your question, write about:
•Melody - played by concertino solo instruments. Scalic and conjunct. Many melodies which interweave. Subject and answer (links to texture too). Some stretto.
•Texture - mainly fugal and contrapuntal. However, has passages of monophony+homophony+canon. Sparser at the start, gets fuller.
•Harmony - standard Baroque really. Cadential chord progressions. Played mostly by harpsichord which does figured bass harmony.

Use specific bar numbers, and for AO4 marks, you HAVE to link back and comment on effect.

Also remember to be listening to the pieces extensively: in the exam you will have close to 35 minutes to write this essay.

Hope this helps!!