Year 11 Music 1

Yearly Aural Exam Practise

2008 HSC
Question 1 (6 marks)
An excerpt (1 minute 31 seconds) somebody to Love from the soundtrack Happy Feet will be
played FIVE times for you to answer Question 1.
Time: First playing short pause
Second playing 30 second pause
Third playing 1 minute pause
Fourth playing 2 minute pause
Fifth playing 2 minute pause

In this excerpt, how does the composer maintain interest?

In this question, think about exactly what in the music creates interest and how the interest is
maintained e.g. dynamics, complex rhythms, unique tone colour etc. You will discuss more than one
concept. Dont get stressed trying to talk about all of the concepts.
You may want to structure this question using dot points. Each dot point will discuss a different
concept or musical event that maintains interest

The composer uses highs and lows. He collaborates with motifs and harmonies. He uses
duration and harmonies to create a unifying balance.
He uses combinations of harmonies with a choir and a rock band whilst keeping the same
base line.
Expressive techniques used are Mezzo Forte (moderately loud) and works its way into
Fortissimo (very loud)
This is a homophonic piece in a rondo form

Question 2 (8 marks)
An excerpt (1 minute 14 seconds) from Bulgar Frailach (traditional) performed by Bob Paredes
and Catherine Schieve will be played SIX times for you to answer Question 2.
Time: First playing short pause
Second playing 30 second pause
Third playing 1 minute pause
Fourth playing 1 minute pause
Fifth playing 2 minute pause
Sixth playing 2 minute pause

Comment on the use of pitch, dynamics and expressive techniques in this excerpt.
Use your concept tables and mind maps for this question. In pitch, focus on your discussion of
melody what instrument is it, range, shape of the melody, register (high/low for the instrument).
Then discuss what instruments accompany the melody and discuss the range, register, type of
accompaniment (e.g. chords, broken chords, bass notes etc.)
You may like to structure it in a table.
Pitch

Durationisshort
Ismezzoforte
Thesongformisverse,verse,chorus,
bridge,chorus
Itusespolyphonictextures
Tonecolourconsistsofwind
instruments,percussionandstrings

DynamicsandExpressiveTechnqiues
Dynamics:mezzoforte>>>>fortissimo
Thepieceusesvibrato
Flutter
Mute
Andacombinationoforchestralrhythms.

Question 3 (8 marks)
An excerpt (1 minute 18 seconds) Dance of the Knights from Romeo and Juliet, Op. 64 by
Prokofiev will be played SIX times for you to answer Question 3.
Time: First playing short pause
Second playing 30 second pause
Third playing 1 minute pause
Fourth playing 1 minute pause
Fifth playing 2 minute pause
Sixth playing 2 minute pause
Discuss the composers use of duration with reference to the themes and accompaniment in this
excerpt.
In this question, use your concept table and mind maps for duration. Think about the beat (strong,
weak, indefinite), metre (2/4, 3/4, 4/4), tempo (fast/slow), rhythm (complex, simple) and changes
in this. Discuss these things in relation to how the main themes of this excerpt are heard and the
accompaniment to the main melody is heard

this piece begins mezzo forte, and gradually works its way into fortissimo

itsbeginsasa
itisapolyphonictexture
thetempoisfast
thesoundproductionwouldincludeplucked,strummedandblown
therhythmiscomplex
thepieceisaorchestralpiece
hasmanythemesandvarriations.

Question 4 (8 marks)
An excerpt (1 minute 31 seconds) from The Messenger by Blaine Whittaker will be played FIVE
times for you to answer Question 4.
Time: First playing short pause
Second playing 30 second pause
Third playing 1 minute pause
Fourth playing 2 minute pause
Fifth playing 2 minute pause

Define the structure of this excerpt with reference to the concepts of music.
In this question, you have to outline what the structure is in relation to the other concepts. HOW
do the other concepts indicate the structure?
Remember structure is the macro (overall structure where you state what sections there are e.g.
Section 1, Section 2, Section 3 etc. or Intro, Verse, Chorus etc.) and the micro structure (what
happens in each section to structure that particular section. E.g. Section 1 12 bar blues chord
progression played on guitar (THIS IS ONLY AN EXAMPLE THIS IS NOT WHAT THIS
ACTUAL PIECE IS)

is a jazz band
is a homophonic texture
instruments used are strings, brass, percussion
the structure uses mezzo forte, uses theme and variation. The duration is short.
Techniques include vibrato and slides.