Mental prompts for aural
questions
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)
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Sub-concepts
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*Possible points of discussion
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Strands
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Themes; statement; tune; subject;
counter-melodies; focus lines; competition.
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Contour
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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).
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Structural divisions
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Phrases (symmetrical/asymmetrical;
regular/irregular; predictable/unpredictable; short/extended; sub-phrases;
cells.
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Structural features
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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).
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Interpretation
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Performance techniques (ornamentation, e.g.
trills, turns, sliding, vibrato); timbral effects; stylistic features.
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Pitch dimensions
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register; definite/indefinite; intonation;
tuning.
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Pitch organisation
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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).
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Melodic timbre
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Individual/group; exploration; programmatic;
articulation.
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* 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)
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Sub-concepts
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*Possible points of discussion
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Chords
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Vocabulary (primary/secondary, extended, altered,
chromatic, poly); alternative (clusters, quartel, open fifths).
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Pitch organisation
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Modulation; reinforcing tones; pedal/drone. (See
melody for further information).
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Progression
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Established (12 bar blues); repetitive; focal
chords; modulation; regular/irregular; cadences; motion. (See texture for
further information).
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Voicing
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General spread (closed/open, sparse/compact);
range/register; patterns (arpeggios/broken chords; triads; alberti bass);
number of parts (2, 3, 4 etc); inversions.
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Textural emphasis
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Voice leading; linear/vertical; type (monophony,
polyphony, homophony, heterophony); counterpoint.
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Rate / rhythm
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Rapid/slow; rhythmic patterns, regular/irregular
harmonic change; pedal point/drone; ostinato.
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* This is not a definitive list. The
possible discussion points should be expanded with personal entries as knowledge
of the concept improves.
Concept: Duration
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Sub-concepts
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*Possible points of discussion
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Beat/pulse
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Regular/irregular; reinforced (strong/well
marked), suppressed (weak/unmarked); agogic; sub-pulse; changing pulse; pace
(level of activity in relation to the beat).
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Tempo
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Static; changing (abrupt, ritenuto, accelerando,
rubato); relationship to pace.
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Metre
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Time signatures (simple/compound); hemiola;
triple, quadruple etc; regular/irregular (isometric/multimetric); groupings; suppressed/implied;
ambiguous; superimposed; anacrusis.
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Note values, rhythm
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Note values (unity, contrast, recurrence);
notational methods (conventional, graphic); average lengths (short/long);
note types (dotted, sustained).
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Patterns
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Riffs; important figures; polyrhythms;
syncopation; key groupings; unusual figures (couplets, duplets); known
patterns (waltz, rap etc).
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Levels (texture)
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Cohesive; fragmented; prominent/secondary.
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Articulation
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Accents; staccato; legato; slur; attack/decay;
vibrato.
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* 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
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Sub-concepts
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*Possible points of discussion
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Category
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Brass, woodwind, strings,
chordophone/electrophone etc; traditional/non-traditional.
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Ensemble
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Established (string, orchestra, rock band etc);
traditional/non-traditional.
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Instrumentation
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Identification (tenor sax, soprano, didjeridoo
etc); traditional / non-traditional.
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Orchestration
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role (individually and in combination); effects.
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Technique and effects
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Mute; glissando; double stopping; flutter
tonguing; pizzicato; harmonics; vibrato; sliding/ bending; virtuosity;
dexterity; intonation; ornaments (trill, turn etc, appoggiatura).
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Quality
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Breathy, penetrating, resonant, mellow, majestic,
piercing, sonorous, piercing, oily, rich, shrill; harsh.
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* 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
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Sub-concepts
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*Possible points of discussion
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Level
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f, p (and their multiples and subdivisions);
relative change; terraced/block; internal variation.
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Gradations
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Crescendo, decrescendo, diminuendo.
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Silence
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Pause; rests; textural definition; highlighting;
tension/resolution.
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Orchestration
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Blend, contrast, manipulating dynamic levels;
balance; acoustical properties.
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Articulation, tempo
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(See Duration)
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Stylistic indications
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Swing, electronic.
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Technique and effects
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(See Tone colour)
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* This is not a definitive list. The
possible discussion points should be expanded with personal entries as
knowledge of the concept improves.
Concept: Texture
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Sub-concepts
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*Possible points of discussion
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General type
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Homophonic; polyphonic; monophonic; heterophonic;
contrapuntal; antiphonal; number of lines; foreground/background emphasis;
opposing/complementary; solo; accompaniment.
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Motion
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Contrary; similar; oblique; parallel; imitative; sequential;
staggered; cascaded; discrete; continuous.
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Level of activity
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Sparse/dense; cluttered; busy; confused;
well-defined.
Role Linear dependence/independence; harmonic; melodic; |
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Role
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Linear dependence/independence; harmonic;
melodic; accompaniment; rhythmic support; pulse reinforcing; countermelodic;
doubling; backing; open/close harmony.
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* This is not a definitive list. The
possible discussion points should be expanded with personal entries as
knowledge of the concept improves.
Concept: Structure
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Sub-concepts
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*Possible points of discussion
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Macro
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Binary; ternary; rondo; sonata; theme &
variation; fugal; strophic; through composed; episodic; 12 bar blues;
organic.
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Micro
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Introduction; coda; verse; chorus;
bridge/transition; phrase; motif; riff/ repetitive pattern; call &
response/question & answer; fragment; theme; statement; exposition,
development,recapitulation; growth; dialogue; refrain.
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Repetition
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Music is either through-composed or dependent in
some way on repetition. The repetition may be:
Is it the material the same?
Is it different? Is it new? (See Contrast & Unity below) |
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Unity
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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.
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Contrast
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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.
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* This is not a definitive list. The
possible discussion points should be expanded with personal entries as
knowledge of the concept improves.