Test Yourself!

Question 1

In this rock song by Beady Eye, describe what happens to the tempo.

Answer 1

Accellerando - it gets gradually faster

Question 2

1. Describe the tonality of this extract.
2. Which period was this most likely written in?

Answer 2

1. Atonal: no sense of key
2. 20th Century

Question 3

What is the proper term for the type of melodic writing in this extract where Grieg uses notes that aren’t in the scale?

Answer 3

Chromatic - the use of accidentals that aren’t in the tonic key.

Question 4

1. Is this extract in simple time or compound time?
2. Try to identify the time signature.

Answer 4

1. Compound time.
2. 6/8 or 12/8
   * 1-and-a 2-and-a, etc…*

Question 5

1. Does the extract contain an ascending, or descending sequence?
2. What is the term from singing many notes for one syllable?

Answer 5

1. Descending Sequence
2. Melisma / Melismatic

Question 6

Here’s another descending sequence, in a song by the Beatles.

1. Is it in a major or minor key?
2. What is the time signature?

Answer 6

1. Major key
2. 4/4 (simple time)

Question 7

Another Beatles masterpiece!

Which electronic effect has been added to the electric guitars?

Answer 7

Distortion

Question 8

1. Describe the accompaniment to this Scottish folk song.
2. What is the time signature?

Answer 8

1. Drone, on a keyboard/synthesiser.
2. Free time - no sense of pulse (until the drums fade in)

Question 9

1. Which instrument plays the melody?
2. Which instrument plays the drone/pedal notes?

Answer 9

1. Melody = sitar
2. Drone/Pedal = Tamboura (repeating same notes quietly throughout)

Question 10

1. Which Indian instrument plays the melody over the drone in this extract?
2. What is the name for melodies like this which are made up as the musician goes along?

Answer 10

1. Bansuri - Indian flute
2. Improvising / Improvisation

Question 11

Describe what the drums do in this extract.

Answer 11

Drum Fill

Question 12

Describe the vocal technique Elton John uses in this pop song from 1972.

Answer 12

Falsetto

Question 13

1. Is the metre regular, irregular, or free in this extract?
2. Is this piece in a major or minor key?

Answer 13

1. Irregular (it’s in 5/4)
2. Minor Key

Question 14

1. Identify the instrument and probable country of origin.
2. What type of scale does this melody use?
3. What is the term for the accompaniment?

Answer 14

1. Bagpipes, Scotland
2. Pentatonic Scale
3. Drone

Question 15

1. Describe the texture of this piece.
2. Identify the instrument, and instrumental family.

Answer 15

1. Monophonic
2. Cello, String Family

Question 16

1. Which instrument is playing?
2. What technique is used to decorate the melody?
3. Is it in a major or minor key?
   * (plus check out Beethoven’s clever use of both ascending and descending sequences!)*

Answer 16

1. Piano
2. Ornamentation
3. Minor Key

Question 17

This song is by the Beatles.

1. Which instruments are playing in the piece, and in which order do they enter? Be as specific as you can.
2. What is the correct term for a repeating part?

Answer 17

1. In order of entrance: Electric Guitar (with a quick delay added), Electric Bass, Tambourine, Drum Kit (opening with a drum fill), Lead Vocal (male), Backing Vocal (male).
2. Riff - Ostinato, as used in the guitar and bass throughout this song.

Question 18

This piano piece is by Beethoven.

1. Which period was it composed in?
2. Is it in a major or minor key?
3. Describe the tempo (2 marks)

Answer 18

1. Romantic Period
2. Major key
3. Adagio, with quite a lot of rubato.

Question 19

• Air on a G String* by J S Bach.
  1. What is the likely time signature?
  2. Which instrumental family are playing in this extract?
  3. Describe the cadence used at the end of extract

Answer 19

1. 4/4
2. String Family
3. Perfect Cadence