Writing a Good Commentary at GCSE

What is the purpose of the commentary? The brief is intended to be a serious on-going log of the development of the composition from initial ideas to the finished product. As such, the candidate should find it relatively straightforward to complete. [Moderators Report 2003] The commentary is used to guide the examiner through your composition, detailing: 1. 2. 3. 4. What the brief is Contextual information about the styles of music you have studied and are using as stimuli for your composition Your main musical ideas and how these develop to form your composition Problems that you encountered during the compositional process and how (and if) you overcame these How do I structure my composition commentary? When you submit your (two) compositions in the spring term of Year 11, you have to complete a commentary proforma for each composition. This proforma is structured under three headings. What was your composition brief? How does your composition meet the brief? What improvements did you make to your work when you were composing it? This could include any adjustments you made after performances of it.

What was your composition brief? Under this heading, you tell the examiner the brief that you were given e.g. A high profile arts festival has taken for its theme this year The Global Village. Make a piece for the festival which takes ideas from at least two different styles of world music and combines them. It is essential that the wording of the brief is correct. Copy it exactly from the brief I gave you if you are not sure! How does your composition meet the brief? This is the main section of the commentary. The first thing to write about is some contextual information: 1. Describe the main musical characteristics of the musical genre/style/s you are composing e.g. describe what a ground bass is, the main musical characteristics of reggae or the texture of Gamelan music (foundations, main melodies, decoration) What listening have you done in lessons related to your chosen style/s which has helped you understand/ given you ideas etc? (Use my notes!) Can you highlight any specific pieces? Can you highlight any specific composers? Make reference to relevant tasks attempted in composition lessons leading up to the composition.

2.
3. 4.

5.

GCSE Writing Good Commentary/ RM 2003

After you have put your work into context, you need to provide a detailed analysis of your composition, telling the examiner what music you have written and the compositional process involved. You should also make connections between your composition and the contextual information provided e.g. I begin by improvising upon the Bhairav that as this is one of the main thats used in Indian music. I then developed a repeating ostinato figure based upon this that. Repeating ostiantos are a main feature of Gamelan music. etc When analysing your composition, it is important not to waffle! Use the core criteria [what the examiner has to mark] as a way of focussing your writing.

1. Development of ideas discuss how you have taken basic ideas and the processes involved
in developing these into more sophisticated music.

2. Exploitation of medium discuss what instruments you have written for and why; link this
to brief and contextual information e.g. main melody on marimba as this has a timbre similar to metallophones in Gamelan music.

3. Structural interest discuss why you have structured your music in the way you have; why
have you included a coda or introduction; why did you decide to vary the return of A in your Ternary (ABA) structure etc.

4. The final core criteria is Understanding the Brief. Of course, if you have written an
analytical commentary which discusses all of the points on this handout, you will get full marks! 5. The optional criteria which the examiner marks are: Melody Tempo/rhythm Harmony Dynamics Texture Use of technology

You may find it useful to focus on these in your commentary as well. It is a very good idea to include musical examples from your score as well as referring to bar numbers when discussing the above points e.g. in bar 6 and 7, the quaver pattern has been developed into a dotted figure. [Musical examples will help to make this even clearer and score more marks!] The best commentaries referred to bar numbers or sections and gave a real insight into how the composition was created and structured. [Moderators Report 2003] What improvements did you make to your work when you were composing it? This could include any adjustments you made after performances of it. This is the final section of the commentary and is your chance to tell the examiner of things that did not go according to plan and things you found difficult during the compositional process. You should tell the examiner how you got over these problems (if you did). However, you should also finish by saying what you would change next time and any areas of the composition you are not entirely satisfied with. Be honest! The examiner wants to know all of this and by telling him about problems, you may be given a higher mark. A few general points Try to type your commentary it looks neater, is easier to read and is easier to edit in future. Do not write a novel or a one-paragraph story. The best commentaries are contextual and analytical accounts written in a succinct manner e.g. straight to the point!

GCSE Writing Good Commentary/ RM 2003

The commentary is a diary of events during the composition. Students who leave it to the last minute produce work of a poor quality. It is much better to keep an ongoing record in your head or on paper.

GCSE Writing Good Commentary/ RM 2003