Some hints...
There is a number of key words that are common to most
senior exam papers. The most common work=rds include:
· Analyse – identify components and the relationships between them; draw out and relate implications
· Comment – very similar to ‘describe’ – provide characteristics and features.
· Compare – show how things are similar or different
· Describe – provide characteristics and features.
· Discuss – identify issues and provide points for and against.
· Explain – relate cause and effect, make relationships between things evident; provide why / or how.
· Explore – same as ‘examine’ – enquire into.
· Identify – recognise and name. However, often your response will require you to go beyond the expectation of this definition and expect you to draw some conclusion to the event.
· Outline – sketch in general terms.
You must have a clear and confident understanding of each music concept. Remember there are several components to each music concept with some components more obvious and important than others. Remember music concepts are interrelated and so are their subcomponents.
In compiling your answers go beyond the obvious.
In your response consider the following:
· How – is the effect being achieved? Refer to the impact on texture, expressive techniques
· Which – duration, tone colour, texture, pitch, harmony, expressive technique?
· What – is being played – melodic line, harmonic, rhythmic?
· Where – register, range, within the structure?
· So what – is the effect on the whole of the excerpt or to a specific section? For example, tone colour, texture, structure
Excerpts from Music: let’s hear it! Bruce Rixon & Brad Merrick
· Analyse – identify components and the relationships between them; draw out and relate implications
· Comment – very similar to ‘describe’ – provide characteristics and features.
· Compare – show how things are similar or different
· Describe – provide characteristics and features.
· Discuss – identify issues and provide points for and against.
· Explain – relate cause and effect, make relationships between things evident; provide why / or how.
· Explore – same as ‘examine’ – enquire into.
· Identify – recognise and name. However, often your response will require you to go beyond the expectation of this definition and expect you to draw some conclusion to the event.
· Outline – sketch in general terms.
You must have a clear and confident understanding of each music concept. Remember there are several components to each music concept with some components more obvious and important than others. Remember music concepts are interrelated and so are their subcomponents.
In compiling your answers go beyond the obvious.
In your response consider the following:
· How – is the effect being achieved? Refer to the impact on texture, expressive techniques
· Which – duration, tone colour, texture, pitch, harmony, expressive technique?
· What – is being played – melodic line, harmonic, rhythmic?
· Where – register, range, within the structure?
· So what – is the effect on the whole of the excerpt or to a specific section? For example, tone colour, texture, structure
Excerpts from Music: let’s hear it! Bruce Rixon & Brad Merrick