Analysing Music in the Listening Exam

All the words you need to consider when writing your answers to the music exam. I use anagrams to make it easier for me to revise, here are my examples!

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Melodic Devices

The two Melodic Devices are: Sequence and Appoggiatura.

To remember these think 'Marks and Spencer'!

Marks                 - And                - Spencer

Melodic Device - Appoggiatura - Sequence

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Harmonic Devices

There are two Harmonic Devices and they are: Circle of 5ths and Pedal.

To Remember these think 'Harry Cuts Peas'!

Harry                   - Cuts              - Peas

Harmonic Device - Circle of 5ths - Pedal

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Rhythmic Devices

There are 4 rhythmic devices and they are: Syncopation, Ostinato, Augmentation/Diminution and Cross Rhythms. 

To remember these think 'Ryan sucks on angry carrots'!

Ryan  -  Rhythmic Devices

Sucks - Syncopation

On  - Ostinato

Angry - Augmentation/Diminution

Carrots - Cross Rhythms

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Playing Techniques and Instrument Specifics!

There are 7 things to do with playing techniques. Learn them by using this anagram!

Peter  - Playing techniques and instrument specifics

Trips - Tremolo - played on bowed Strings

Ryan - Roll, Fill, Rim Shot - played on drums 

So - Strumming/Picking - quitars 

Paul - Pizzicato/arco - played on orchestral string instruments

Was - With mute

Violently  -  Vibrato

Pushed - Portamento - played on vocals and trombone

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Describing words for Melody

Conjunct, Disjunct

Wide/Narrow range

Clear-cut phrases

Lyrical, Free-Flowing

Unpredictable

Fragmented

Scalic, Triadic, Apreggio ( all either ascending or descending

Ornamented ( turns, grace notes, mordents, appoggiatura)

Staccato, Legato

Accented

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Describing words for Texture

Monophonic

Homophonic

Polyphonic

Melody and Accompaniment

Unison

At Octaves

Imitation

Canon

Smooth, Legato 

Staccato, Dense

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Describing words for Harmony and Tonality

Major

Minor

Bitonal

Atonal

Concordant

Discordant

Calm, Restful

Tense, Uneasy

Many notes, Few notes in a chord

Modulated

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Comments

Emma

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Really good, thanks :)

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