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Musical Elements and Analysis (Appraising)
Quick questions on Melody and harmony: describing pitch and chords in any style - WJEC A-Level Music
5short Q&A pairs drawn directly from our worked dot-point answer. For full context and worked exam questions, read the parent dot-point page.
What is describing melody?Show answer
Good melodic description is specific: instead of "a nice tune", say "a conjunct, arch-shaped melody built from a two-bar motif that is sequenced, in balanced four-bar phrases".
What is model paragraph?Show answer
Accurate description names what the ear actually hears. Take a Classical phrase: the melody is conjunct and arch-shaped, built from a neat two-bar motif that is then sequenced a step lower, and it falls into balanced four-bar phrases, an antecedent that ends with an open imperfect cadence answered by a consequent closing with a perfect cadence. Underneath, the harmony is diatonic and functional, the chords drawn from the home key and moving through clear I, IV and V progressions, mostly consonant with a brief dissonance prepared and resolved at the cadence.
What is q1?Show answer
What is the difference between conjunct and disjunct melodic motion? [2 marks]
What is q2?Show answer
What is a sequence in a melody? [2 marks]
What is q3?Show answer
Explain the difference between diatonic, chromatic and modal harmony, with an example of where each is heard. [10 marks]
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