MENTAL PROMPTS

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PITCH - Melody
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Sub- concept Possible points of discussion
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Strands themes; counter-melodies, focus lines, competition

! intervals -conjunct (steps) or disjunct (jumps), shape (angular,

Contour gently undulating);
direction (ascending/descending); intervals; central tone(s);
harmonic implications (arpeggio, broken chord, triadic)
microtones
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Structural features phrase (symmetrical/asymmetrical); regular/irregular;
short/extended; sub-phrases; motives
climax; question & answer; interval variations;
repetition; subsequent contrasts ;
sequence; imitation; cadence points;
use of motives/riffs/ostinato
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Interpretation performance techniques (ornamentation eg trills, turns, sliding,
vibrato;
expressive effects; stylistic features

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Pitch dimensions register; definite/indefinite
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& organisation diatonic (major/minor); other (modal, blues scale, chromatic,
ethnic
scale); atonal; (12 tone, aleatoric, electronic); traditional/non-
traditional;
weakened/implied tonal centre; key schemes (relationships,
modulations)
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Melodic Tone Colour individual & group; articulation

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PITCH - Harmony
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Sub- concept Possible points of discussion
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Chords vocabulary (primary, secondary, extended, altered, chromatic);
alternative (clusters, open fifths, octaves) consonant/dissonant;
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Pitch organisation Major/minor; modal; atonal; modulation; pedal point/drone;
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Progression established (12 bar blues, ice cream); repetitive; focal chords;
modulation; cadences (perfect, imperfect, interrupted); motion
(similar, contrary, oblique)
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Voicing general spread of chords (closed/open, block, sparse/compact);
range/register; patterns (arpeggios/broken chords; triads; alberti
bass); number of parts (2, 3 or many); inversions
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Textural emphasis voice leading; linear /vertical; type (monophony, polyphony,
homophony, heterophony); counterpoint
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Rate/rhythm rapid/slow; rhythmic patterns; regular/irregular harmonic change;
pedal point/drone; ostinato
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DURATION
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Sub- concept Possible points of discussion
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Beat/pulse regular/irregular; strong/well accented or weak/unmarked; sub-
pulse; changing pulse; pace (level of activity in relation to the
beat

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Tempo static, constant; changing (abrupt, ritenuto, ritardando,
accelerando, rubato); relationship to pace

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Metre time signatures (simple/compound) hemiola; duple, triple,
quadruple); anacrusis, unusual groups (complex metres)

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Note values/rhythm note values (unity, contrast, recurrence); notation – graphic or
conventional; average lengths (short/long); note types (dotted,
sustained)
rests, pauses

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Patterns riffs; important figures; polyrhythms; syncopation; unusual
figures (couplets, triplets); known patterns (back beat, waltz –
oom pah pah, rap)
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Levels (texture) cohesive; fragmented; prominent/secondary
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Articulation accents; staccato; legato; slur; attack/decay; vibrato
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Tone Colour
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Sub- concept Possible points of discussion
! brass, woodwind, strings, percussion, electronic’ traditional/non-
Category traditional

! established (string, orchestra, jazz band, rock band); traditional/

Ensemble non-traditional

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Instrumentation identify each instrument eg, alto saxophone, bass drum

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Orchestration role (individually and in combination); effect of this

! mute, glissando, double stopping, flutter tonguing; pizzicato;

Techniques and harmonics; vibrato; sliding/bending; virtuosity; intonation;
Effects ornaments (trills, turns)
studio techniques
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Quality breathy, penetrating; resonant, mellow, majestic, piercing,
sonorous; rich; shrill; harsh; buzzing; pulsing
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Dynamics and Expressive Techniques
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Sub- concept Possible points of discussion
! forte, piano (and their multiples and divisions); relative change; terraced/
Level block

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Gradations crescendo; diminuendo

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Silence pause; rests; textural definition; highlighting, tension; resolution

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Orchestration blend; contrast; balance; acoustical properties

! accents; staccato; legato; slur; attack/decay; vibrato

Articulation, tempo static, constant; changing (abrupt, ritenuto, ritardando, accelerando,
rubato); relationship to pace
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Stylistic Indications Swing, electronic, rock

Techniques and Effects mute, glissando, double stopping, flutter tonguing; pizzicato; harmonics;
vibrato; sliding/bending; virtuosity; intonation; ornaments (trills, turns)
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Texture
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!Sub- concept
! Possible points of discussion
! homophonic; polyphonic; monophonic; heterophonic; contrapuntal;
!General Type antiphonal; number of lines; foreground/background emphasis;
! opposing/complimentary; solo; accompaniment
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!Motion similar; contrary; oblique; parallel; imitative; sequential; staggered;
! continuous; cannonic
!! sparse/dense; cluttered; busy; well-defined; role of linear
!Level of Activity dependence/independence; harmonic; melodic
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! linear dependence/independence; harmonic; melodic;
!Role accompaniment; rhythmic support; pulse reinforcing; counter
! melody; doubling; backing; open/close harmony
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Structure

Sub- concept Possible points of discussion

! binary; ternary; rondo; theme & variation; fugal; strophic; through composed;
Macro 12 bar blues; episodic

! introduction; coda; verse; bridge/transition; phrase; motive; riff/repetitive pattern;

Micro call & response; fragment; theme; growth, develop; dialogue

! Music is either through composed or dependent in some way on repetition

Repetition • Symmetrical (repeating the same material) or a variation or development
(repeating with a difference)
• A digression (doing something else with the material)
• A recurrence (eventually repeating the same thing)
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Is the material the same? Is it different? Is it new?
! repetition of a melody or phrase; use of a rhythmic motive; consistent style and
Unity use of concepts; repetition of harmonic pattern (eg ground bass; rhythmic or
melodic ostinato); drone or pedal point; sequences or modified patterns; static
instrumentation; modulation of same material; structural repetition (rondo form,
theme and variation); instrumentation changing roles but using previously heard
material

! modulation; one line may be conjunct whilst the other is disjunct, introduction of
Contrast new material, change in metre, tempo or rhythmic patterns/feel; changes in the
accompaniment or in one part; moving from one register to another; change in
tonality; harmony (consonance /dissonance); structural (new section); stylistic
contrast; differing phrase length; dynamics contrast