Music Concepts

Question 1

(Duration) With Time Signature

Answer 1

You must fully describe the time signature, state whether it is simple or compound and write out the time signature numbers: 2, 4, 8, 16

Question 2

(Duration) With Tempo

Answer 2

Describe any changes, including whether they were sudden or gradual. Use Italian terminology.

Question 3

(Duration) With Anacrusis

Answer 3

Does the piece begin with an up beat? How long is the anacrusis.

Question 4

(Duration) With Beat

Answer 4

Describe whether it is weak or strong? justify your answer…Is it drums or accented chords?

Question 5

(Duration) With Note lengths

Answer 5

Describe the overall note length with specific durations: E.G. “The bass guitar is playing constant semiquavers”

Question 6

(Duration) With Dotted rhythm

Answer 6

Describe any dotted rhythms.
2 + 1 = .
2 + 1.5 = ..
2 + 1.75 = …

Question 7

(Duration) With Syncopation

Answer 7

Describe syncopation? How is it created? is it light, heavy or continuous or occasional.

Question 8

(Duration) With Ostinato

Answer 8

Are there any repeated patterns? Are they regular or irregular?

Question 9

(Pitch: Harmony) With Tonality

Answer 9

What is the tonality? Are there any changes? If atonal, does the piece use notes foreign to the mode or diatonic scale? Does the piece create tension or does the piece clash.

Question 10

(Pitch: Harmony) With Scales

Answer 10

Blues scales, pentatonic scales, whole tone or a mode.

Does the scale use half steps or steps or leaps?

Question 11

(Pitch: Harmony) With Chords

Answer 11

Are the Chords Consonant or Dissonant? Is spacing used? Any 7ths, or diminishes? Find any melodic or harmonic configuration that creates a sense of resolution.

Question 12

(Pitch: Melody)

Answer 12

Are there steps or leaps? Are they large or small? Discuss the range of melody, does the range increase or decrease? The best answers always discuss change.

Make notation of the pitch movement.

Question 13

(Dynamics and expressive techniques) Dynamics

Answer 13

Describe all the changes in Italian, Describe when and how the movement changes. Link Dynamic changes to other concepts.

Question 14

(Dynamics and expressive techniques) Expressive techniques

Answer 14

Discuss unorthodox use of instruments Describe electronic effects and link back to question. Relate back to Dynamics and tone colour.

Question 15

(Tone Colour)

Answer 15

Name the ensemble, is it unorthodox or standard? Describe specific questions/ Sections. Link to Expressive Techniques.

Question 16

(Structure)

Answer 16

Identify different sections, use names or letters. Listen for little features.

STRUCTURE IS AN ALL CONCEPTS QUESTION IN DISGUISE!

listen for good musical features: e.g. syncopation, chord progressions, time signature, expressive techniques, polyphonic texture.