Transcript GCSE MUSIC MOCK EXAM Steps to success

GCSE MUSIC MOCK EXAM
Steps to success
This exam is a LISTENING EXAM
• However success in this paper ( 40% of
the total grade) depends on:• Sound revision of all the set works
• Regular listening to the pieces you have
studied
• Awareness of the musical elements and
how they are used in each extract
• Being able to write a well structured
essays about the set works’ musical
features
What will I be asked?
• Your mock exam will test you on your
knowledge of the set works with questions
such as …
•
•
•
•
•
What is the tonality?
Comment on the instrumental & vocal resources
Give two ways in which the composer creates the mood
Describe the melodic shape
Give 2 ways in which this piece is typical of Romantic
style
• What is the time signature?
• Which section of the extract is being played..
Notation questions
• You might be given a question where you have
to complete the melody from a set work or a
rhythm. Another possible question is to complete
a chord pattern from one of the pop extracts.
• Most questions in your exam will not involve
writing out music notation.
• Knowledge of the music studied is the most
important factor in getting a good grade .
Essay Question
• This is worth 12 marks out of the total 80
for the listening exam.( This is then halved
to give a mark out of 40)
• You have a choice of 2 essays e.g.
Describe how harmony, rhythm, instrumentation, melody and tempo
are used in the track GRACE.
OR
Describe how Mozart uses melody, structure, tempo, instrumentation
and texture in the 1st movement of his symphony no 40 in G minor.
Essay question ( cont)
• Notice how the essay are always based around
how the different musical elements are used.
• Your answers should focus on these. Using
some general context (e.g. explaining in an
essay question about Handel what an oratorio
and a chorus is) is useful but NEVER just write
everything you know about the piece.
• If you are not asked about TEXTURE or
MELODY you do not need to write about them.
• Structure your essay with an introductory
paragraph, content asked about in the question
and a short conclusion
Getting started!
QUESTION: Describe how the following elements
are used in the AOS 4 extract YIRI
• Tempo
• Texture
• Rhythm
• Timbre
• Melody
• “….. The extract YIRI demonstrates many typical
features of African music and the piece and group who
perform it, Koko, come from Burkino Faso.
•
There are several aspects to the use of rhythm. The
drums play a repeated rhythm or ostinato throughout
and as in much African music there is a use of
polyrhythms….”
• Keep your essay writing waffle free and factual. Keep glancing at the
question as you write!
How to revise
• Some people have very definite ways of revising. There is no set
way for success for everyone but with this exam you need to LISTEN
& REVISE
• Try the following sequence of events
• Play the chosen extract as you read your notes or the text
book on it
• Keep the music playing then write down 10 key words
about it
• Play the music again and then write down the appropriate
words underneath the following headings
• TONALITY TEMPO TIMBRE TEXTURE DYNAMICS
HARMONY MELODY
• Can you say something about each of these elements in the
extract?
Finally…
• Treat the MOCK EXAM as seriously as
you will the real one in June 2011.
Remember your teacher may well use
your mock exam to help predict your grade
which has all sorts of implications for your
post 16 choices.
• Revise thoroughly now and lay
down the foundations for final success!
GOOD LUCK