COMPOSITION DEDUCTION

Listening examination explained

Not very much time left to the Listening examination! Check the date and time of the Ed Excel examination

How the Ed Excel Listening examination is organised.

You will listen to a CD and answer questions on the four areas of study which covers popular music, classical music and music from around the world. The examination is divided into two parts:

Section A: Core

There are usually six pieces of music each of which has a series of stepped questions. "Stepped questions" means that the level of difficulty varies between easy and difficult. Clearly one of the purposes of the examination is to produce a range of grades from the candidates.

This part of the examination lasts for 1 hour and is timed by the gaps on the CD. Sometimes the candidate may have to hurry with their answers and sometimes they may have to wait. (A good time to check)

Here is an example of how one of these six questions might look. Notice how the questions get harder to answer and the difference in marks given change. (These are shown in brackets in the examiner's marks column)

Question 1

Extract 1 o o o o Tick as you hear the extracts

Examiner's voice on the CD: "This extract will be played four times with a pause of 60 seconds between each playing."

Question 1a: Underline one of the following words which best describes the trumpet tune.

piano forte crescendo diminuendo

Question 1b:Name the instrument which is playing the bass part?

________________

Question 1c:How is the tune different the second time it is played? Make two points.

1)_________________________________________

2)_________________________________________

Question 1f : How is the mood achieved through the music.

______________________________________________________________

Examiner's marks

(2)

(4)

(5)

Question total _____

Other types of question in section A: Core

A grid to fill in when comparing two or three extracts
Two or more shorter extracts with related questions
Questions requiring the reading some notation of the extract..
Notation questions such as writing in the missing pitch or rhythm or time signature.
Adding missing chord symbols to given song lyrics.

Section B: General Music Knowledge

This section lasts for about 30 minutes and is timed by the CD. There are more musical extracts with fewer questions on each extract and fewer marks for each question.

The questions are usually more wide ranging than section A.

Here is an example of how a General Music Knowledge question would look.

Question 7

Extract 7 o o o o Tick as you hear the extracts

Examiner's voice on the CD: "This extract will be played twice with a pause of 20 seconds between each playing."

Question 7a: Underline the family of instruments playing in this extract?

strings brass woodwind percussion

Question 7b: Name the instrument playing alone in the first bar? __________

Question 8

Extract 8 o o Tick as you hear the extracts

Question 8a:Which one of the following best describes the speed of the extract?

Question 8b:Name the cadence at the end of the extract? _______________

Question 9

Extract 9 o o Tick as you hear the extracts

Question 9a:Comment on the texture of the extract.

______________________________________________________________

Examiner's marks

(2)

Question 7 total _____

(2)

Question 8 total _____

(4)

Question 9 total _____

Other types of question in section B: General Musical knowledge

Fill in the pitch to the given rhythm
compare two brief extracts
match the style to the extract

Planning revision time is important!

Revision help

Music detective - (finding the type of music)
Information - Recognising Classical Styles
Musical elements - comment sheet
Information - Musical forms (with MIDI)

REVISION TESTS & ANSWERS

Describe musical elements test (with MIDI)
Listening - gaps in notation (with MIDI)
Vocabulary quizzes - questions and answers
Compare and contrast - Listening game

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