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SingaporeMusic

Listening and Analysis

4 dot points across 4 inquiry questions. Click any dot point for a focused answer with worked past exam questions where available.

How do you compare two short extracts and explain how they are similar and different?

Compare two heard extracts across the elements (melody, rhythm, texture, instruments, tempo, mood) and write a clear, balanced comparison that notes both similarities and differences
A clear answer to the N(A)-Level Music listening outcome on comparison. A simple element-by-element method for comparing two extracts, signposting similarities and differences, and writing a balanced answer rather than describing each piece on its own.
8 min answer →

When you hear a short extract, how do you describe its melody and rhythm in clear, accurate words?

Describe a heard melody (shape, range, steps and leaps, repetition) and its rhythm (note lengths, beat, syncopation) using correct musical vocabulary
A clear answer to the N(A)-Level Music listening outcome on melody and rhythm. Describing melodic shape, range, steps versus leaps and repetition, and rhythm features such as note lengths, the beat, dotted rhythms and syncopation, with the right words.
8 min answer →

How do you describe the texture of a piece and identify which instruments or voices you can hear?

Describe musical texture (monophonic, homophonic, polyphonic) and identify common instruments and voices by their timbre in a heard extract
A clear answer to the N(A)-Level Music listening outcome on texture and timbre. Describing monophonic, homophonic and polyphonic textures, thick versus thin, and identifying common instruments and voice types by their sound in an extract.
8 min answer →

How do you work out the structure of a piece by listening for repeated and contrasting sections?

Recognise common musical structures by ear (binary, ternary, rondo, verse and chorus) by tracking repeated and contrasting sections and labelling them with letters
A clear answer to the N(A)-Level Music listening outcome on form. Tracking repeated and contrasting sections, labelling them with letters, and recognising binary, ternary, rondo and verse-and-chorus structures by ear.
8 min answer →