This article (written by Paul Owens from Sydney Technical
High School) provides a series of prompts and possible discussion points
for each of the musical concepts. The material will be particularly useful
for Music 1 students who are preparing for the aural section of their
examination. However, it is also a useful tool for Music 2 students.
Concept: Pitch (Melody)
|
Sub-concepts
|
*Possible
points of discussion
|
| Strands |
Themes;
statement; tune; subject; counter-melodies; focus lines; competition. |
| Contour |
Intervals (conjunct/disjunct); shape (angular, undulating); direction
(ascending/descending); intervals (focus/central tone(s), simple/compound,
microtones); predictability (consistent/inconsistent); harmonic
implications (arpeggio, broken chord, triadic). |
| Structural
divisions |
Phrases (symmetrical/asymmetrical; regular/irregular; predictable/unpredictable;
short/extended; sub-phrases; cells. |
| Structural
features |
Climax;
question & answer; internal variations; repetition; subsequent
contrasts (diminution, augmentation, inversion, retrograde); sequence;
imitation; cadential points; recognition (conventional/unique);
use of motifs/riffs; function (ostinato). |
| Interpretation |
Performance
techniques (ornamentation, e.g. trills, turns, sliding, vibrato);
timbral effects; stylistic features. |
| Pitch
dimensions |
register; definite/indefinite; intonation; tuning. |
| Pitch
organisation |
Diatonic
(major, minor); other (modal, jazz scale, whole tone, ethnic scale,
alternative, chromatic); atonal (12 tone, aleatoric, electronic);
traditional/non-traditional; weakened/ implied; key schemes (relationships,
modulation). |
| Melodic
timbre |
Individual/group;
exploration; programmatic; articulation. |
*
This is not a definitive list. The possible discussion points should
be expanded with personal entries as knowledge of the concept improves.
Concept: Pitch (Harmony)
|
Sub-concepts
|
*Possible
points of discussion
|
| Chords |
Vocabulary
(primary/secondary, extended, altered, chromatic, poly); alternative
(clusters, quartel, open fifths). |
| Pitch
organisation |
Modulation;
reinforcing tones; pedal/drone. (See melody for further information). |
| Progression |
Established (12 bar blues); repetitive; focal chords; modulation;
regular/irregular; cadences; motion. (See texture for further information). |
| Voicing |
General
spread (closed/open, sparse/compact); range/register; patterns (arpeggios/broken
chords; triads; alberti bass); number of parts (2, 3, 4 etc); inversions. |
| Textural
emphasis |
Voice
leading; linear/vertical; type (monophony, polyphony, homophony,
heterophony); counterpoint. |
| Rate
/ rhythm |
Rapid/slow;
rhythmic patterns, regular/irregular harmonic change; pedal point/drone;
ostinato. |
*
This is not a definitive list. The possible discussion points should
be expanded with personal entries as knowledge of the concept improves.
Concept: Duration
|
Sub-concepts
|
*Possible
points of discussion
|
| Beat/pulse |
Regular/irregular;
reinforced (strong/well marked), suppressed (weak/unmarked); agogic;
sub-pulse; changing pulse; pace (level of activity in relation to
the beat). |
| Tempo |
Static;
changing (abrupt, ritenuto, accelerando, rubato); relationship to
pace. |
| Metre |
Time
signatures (simple/compound); hemiola; triple, quadruple etc; regular/irregular
(isometric/multimetric); groupings; suppressed/implied; ambiguous;
superimposed; anacrusis. |
| Note
values, rhythm |
Note
values (unity, contrast, recurrence); notational methods (conventional,
graphic); average lengths (short/long); note types (dotted, sustained). |
| Patterns |
Riffs;
important figures; polyrhythms; syncopation; key groupings; unusual
figures (couplets, duplets); known patterns (waltz, rap etc). |
| Levels
(texture) |
Cohesive;
fragmented; prominent/secondary.
|
| Articulation |
Accents;
staccato; legato; slur; attack/decay; vibrato. |
*
This is not a definitive list. The possible discussion points should
be expanded with personal entries as knowledge of the concept improves.
Concept: Tone colour
|
Sub-concepts
|
*Possible
points of discussion
|
| Category |
Brass,
woodwind, strings, chordophone/electrophone etc; traditional/non-traditional. |
| Ensemble |
Established
(string, orchestra, rock band etc); traditional/non-traditional. |
| Instrumentation |
Identification (tenor sax, soprano, didjeridoo etc); traditional
/ non-traditional. |
| Orchestration |
role
(individually and in combination); effects. |
| Technique
and effects |
Mute;
glissando; double stopping; flutter tonguing; pizzicato; harmonics;
vibrato; sliding/ bending; virtuosity; dexterity; intonation; ornaments
(trill, turn etc, appoggiatura). |
| Quality |
Breathy,
penetrating, resonant, mellow, majestic, piercing, sonorous, piercing,
oily, rich, shrill; harsh. |
*
This is not a definitive list. The possible discussion points should
be expanded with personal entries as knowledge of the concept improves.
Concept: Dynamics and expressive techniques
|
Sub-concepts
|
*Possible
points of discussion
|
| Level |
f,
p (and their multiples and subdivisions); relative change; terraced/block;
internal variation. |
| Gradations |
Crescendo,
decrescendo, diminuendo. |
| Silence |
Pause;
rests; textural definition; highlighting; tension/resolution. |
| Orchestration |
Blend,
contrast, manipulating dynamic levels; balance; acoustical properties. |
| Articulation,
tempo |
(See
Duration) |
| Stylistic
indications |
Swing,
electronic. |
| Technique
and effects |
(See
Tone colour) |
*
This is not a definitive list. The possible discussion points should
be expanded with personal entries as knowledge of the concept improves.
Concept: Texture
|
Sub-concepts
|
*Possible
points of discussion
|
| General
type |
Homophonic;
polyphonic; monophonic; heterophonic; contrapuntal; antiphonal;
number of lines; foreground/background emphasis; opposing/complementary;
solo; accompaniment. |
| Motion |
Contrary;
similar; oblique; parallel; imitative; sequential; staggered; cascaded;
discrete; continuous. |
| Level
of activity |
Sparse/dense;
cluttered; busy; confused; well-defined.
Role Linear dependence/independence; harmonic; melodic; |
| Role |
Linear
dependence/independence; harmonic; melodic; accompaniment; rhythmic
support; pulse reinforcing; countermelodic; doubling; backing; open/close
harmony. |
*
This is not a definitive list. The possible discussion points should
be expanded with personal entries as knowledge of the concept improves.
Concept: Structure
|
Sub-concepts
|
*Possible
points of discussion
|
| Macro |
Binary;
ternary; rondo; sonata; theme & variation; fugal; strophic;
through composed; episodic; 12 bar blues; organic. |
| Micro |
Introduction;
coda; verse; chorus; bridge/transition; phrase; motif; riff/ repetitive
pattern; call & response/question & answer; fragment; theme;
statement; exposition, development,recapitulation; growth; dialogue;
refrain. |
| Repetition |
Music is either through-composed or dependent in some way on repetition.
The repetition may be:
- symmetrical
(repeating the same material)§ a variation or development
(repeating it with a difference)
- a digression (doing something else with the material)
- a
recurrence (eventually repeating the same thing).
Is
it the material the same?
Is it different?
Is it new? (See Contrast & Unity below)
|
| Unity |
Repetition
of a melody or phrase; use of a rhythmic motif; consistent style
and use of concepts; repetition of a harmonic pattern (e.g. ground
bass; rhythmic or melodic ostinato); drones or pedal point; sequences
or modified patterns; static instrumentation; modulation (same material);
structural repetition e.g. rondo, theme & variation; instrumentation
changing roles but using previously heard material. |
| Contrast |
Modulation;
one line may be conjunct whilst the other is disjunct; introduction
of new material; change in metre, tempo or rhythmic patterns/feel;
changes in the accompaniment or in one part; moving from one register
to another; tonality (major/minor/modal/pentatonic); harmony (consonance/dissonance);
structural (new section); stylistic contrast; differing phrase lengths;
dynamic contrast. |
*
This is not a definitive list. The possible discussion points should
be expanded with personal entries as knowledge of the concept improves.
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