Grade 6 Musical Knowledge

Question 1

T - Reasons for choosing to play

Answer 1

A fast, flat-picking piece, and I like the fiddle style it has

Question 2

T - approach to interpreting piece

Answer 2

I chose to vary the dynamics of the piece, and play some parts with short notes and others with quicker notes

Question 3

T - harmonic, rhythmic, melodic features

Answer 3

tune based on A Dorian Modal scale (a mode of G major), lots of quavers, presto, flat picking

Question 4

T - key

Answer 4

G major (Rakes of Kildare), D major (Blackthorn Stick)

Question 5

T - time signature

Answer 5

6/8

Question 6

T - repeat signs

Answer 6

Several, identify with symbol

Question 7

T - dynamic markings

Answer 7

None

Question 8

T - other signs

Answer 8

Sharp on treble clef, *marks start of the Blackthorn Stick

Question 9

T - technical and musical challenges involved in preparing pieces, as well as how they were overcome

Answer 9

Playing it at a fast pace - had to slow it down and build each bit up
Keeping with the time signature - had to listen to the song several times in order to follow the time signature effectively

Question 10

D - reason for choosing to play

Answer 10

A flat-picking piece with a lot of swing to it, and slurs, hammer-offs, pull-offs
A challenge for me which I would enjoy, as I like the attack and precision of the flat picking piece

Question 11

D - approach to interpreting piece

Answer 11

Chose to use many hammer-ons, as it is a strength of mine as opposed to pull-offs

Question 12

D - harmonic, melodic, rhythmic features

Answer 12

Hammer-ons, pull-offs, slurs, many quavers, allegro

Question 13

D - time signature

Answer 13

4/4

Question 14

D - key

Answer 14

G major

Question 15

D - repeat signs

Answer 15

None

Question 16

D - dynamic markings

Answer 16

None

Question 17

D - other signs

Answer 17

Numbers for recommended fingers to use for some notes, arrows for how some strings could be picked, sharps, chords that could be played along with the piece

Question 18

D - technical and musical challenges involved in preparing piece and how they were overcome

Answer 18

Slurs and pull-offs - had to practice them several times in order to develop the skill and transition effectively
For the pull-offs I learnt to twist the finger round slightly rather than directly pulling onto the strong so that a better sound could be achieved
Quick changes in notes - had to pay particular attention to these changes and practice good fingering so they worked

Question 19

What would you define as ‘swing’?

Answer 19

Swing is 1/8 note triplets (triplet shuffle) with the middle note missing