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Sample question
Now listen to this extract of popular Indian music. In the exam you will hear the extract 3 times.
Write a paragraph describing what you hear. In your answer try to refer to:
- the instruments used
- the mode [Mode: A scale pattern made up of intervals of whole and half steps. ]
- the rhythm and dynamic [Dynamics: The volume at which a note is played. An example of a dynamic instruction is forte which means to play loudly. ]
- the musical form
Sample answers, grades and comments
| Answers | Examiner's comments |
|---|---|
| Geeta: The music opens with the melody and a rhythm part being played. It sounds Indian because of the instruments. | Grade F: This answer does not identify any of the stylistic features of Indian music or the features in this extract. The candidate was able to identify that there was a melodic and rhythmic part but could not apply suitable terms or name instruments used. No marks allocated. |
| Sarah: The raga is being played on the sitar and the tala is being played on a drum called the tabla. The music is in common time and is quick. | Grade C: This candidate shows awareness of some of the stylistic features of Indian music. She identified the piece as a Raga, played on a sitar, with the tala played on the tabla. She noted that it had a fast tempo, and that it was in common time. However these features are not related to the extract. 3 marks allocated. |
| Talvin: The music opens with repeated notes of the raga/melody being played on the sitar. The tabla plays the tala/rhythm in the background. The tempo is quite quick. The music is in common time and is played forte [Forte: A dynamic instruction meaning to play loudly. ] dynamic marking. Sympathetic strings [Sympathetic Strings: Strings that are not played but make a sound due to vibrations from other strings. ] on the sitar are playing drone notes. Gradually the musician is building up the note range by adding notes of the raga as he improvises his melody. All Indian musicians make the music up as they go along as they rarely write music down. | Grade A: This candidate has given a detailed account of what happens in the music. The Candidate is aware of Indian musical features and can identify them in this piece. He identified the music as a raga with the melody played on sitar, the tala on the tabla, the quick tempo and forte dynamic, the drone, the repeated notes and the improvisation. The candidate receives the maximum 5 marks |
Now try a Test Bite
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