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WAMusicQuick questions
Unit 4: Innovations
Quick questions on Composition and arranging techniques: WACE Year 12 Music
1short Q&A pairs drawn directly from our worked dot-point answer. For full context and worked exam questions, read the parent dot-point page.
What is harmonising a melody?Show answer
To harmonise a line, identify the key and find chords that fit each phrase. Begin and end on the tonic for stability, use a cadence at each phrase end (perfect for a strong close, imperfect to leave it open), and choose chords whose notes match the melody on strong beats. Primary chords (I, IV, V) provide the backbone; secondary chords (ii, vi) add colour. Smooth bass movement and avoidance of parallel fifths and octaves keep the harmony idiomatic.
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