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ScotlandMusic Technology

Understanding 20th and 21st century music

5 dot points across 5 inquiry questions. Click any dot point for a focused answer with worked past exam questions where available.

How do you recognise melody and harmony concepts by ear in 20th and 21st century music?

Melody and harmony concepts: recognising aurally features such as riff, ostinato, scat, improvisation, sequence, major and minor tonality, drone, pedal, and dischord.
An SQA National 5 Music Technology answer on the melody and harmony concepts you must identify aurally, including riff, ostinato, scat, improvisation, sequence, major and minor tonality, drone, pedal and dischord, with how each sounds in popular music excerpts.
11 min answer →

How do you recognise rhythm, tempo and dynamics concepts by ear in 20th and 21st century music?

Rhythm, tempo and dynamics concepts: recognising aurally syncopation, swing, backbeat, on the beat, accelerando, rallentando, crescendo, diminuendo and accent.
An SQA National 5 Music Technology answer on the rhythm, tempo and dynamics concepts you must identify aurally, including syncopation, swing, backbeat, on the beat, accelerando, rallentando, crescendo, diminuendo and accent, with how each sounds in popular music.
11 min answer →

How do you recognise texture, structure and timbre concepts by ear in 20th and 21st century music?

Texture, structure and timbre concepts: recognising aurally unison, harmony, solo, verse and chorus, middle 8, intro and outro, a cappella, distortion and reverb as heard qualities of sound.
An SQA National 5 Music Technology answer on texture, structure and timbre concepts you must identify aurally, including unison, harmony, solo, verse, chorus, middle 8, intro, outro, a cappella, distortion and reverb, with how each sounds in popular music.
11 min answer →

How do you recognise the main 20th and 21st century styles and genres by ear?

Styles and genres: recognising aurally the characteristic features of blues, jazz, rock and roll, pop, rock, hip hop, country, musical theatre and Scottish or Celtic styles.
An SQA National 5 Music Technology answer on identifying styles and genres by ear, covering the characteristic features of blues, jazz, rock and roll, pop, rock, hip hop, country, musical theatre and Scottish or Celtic music, with the instruments and concepts that signal each.
12 min answer →

How have technological developments shaped 20th and 21st century music?

Technological developments and music: how recording, amplification, electric and electronic instruments, multitrack recording, synthesisers, sampling and digital and computer-based production changed how 20th and 21st century music was made and heard.
An SQA National 5 Music Technology answer on how technological developments shaped 20th and 21st century music, from early recording and amplification to electric instruments, multitrack recording, synthesisers, sampling and digital computer-based production, and how each changed the styles you hear.
11 min answer →