MUSIC FORM 3 – September 4, 2020

For scales, chords and much more, the use of the piano keyboard as a visual aid comes in handy.

Let’s do the E minor and C minor scales in three forms: natural, harmonic and melodic minor.

- The natural minor (related to a major scale where both the Major and minor scales have the
same accidentals (sharps or flats); in a (natural) minor scale half steps (semi-tones) occur
between the 2nd and 3rd tones and also between the 5th and 6th tones.
- The harmonic minor scale: it’s almost the same as the natural minor except that the 7 th tone is
raised a half step.
- The melodic minor: when the scale goes up (ascending) the 6 th and 7th tones are raised a half
step; when the scale comes back down (descending) the 6 th and 7th tones are NOT RAISED A
HALF STEP (SEMI-TONE), so in fact the descending melodic scale is the same as a natural minor
scale.

E (natural) minor scale (ascending and descending the scale is the same):

E F# G A B C D E

E harmonic minor scale (ascending and descending the scale is the same): raise the 7 th note a half step

E F# G A B C D# E

E melodic minor scale:

- Ascending: raise the 6th and 7th tones a half step

E F# G A B C# D# E
th th
- Descending: the 6 and 7 tones go back down a half step
E D C B A G F# E
Listen to the difference between these minor scales.

C (natural) minor scale:

C D E-flat F G A-flat B-flat C

C harmonic minor scale:

C D E-flat F G A-flat B C

C melodic minor scale:

- Ascending: C D E-flat F G A B C
- Descending: C B-flat A-flat G F E-flat D C

Practice H.W. Do the same as we have done with E minor and C minor for the following scales:

B minor, D minor and F minor scales (natural, harmonic and melodic)

Name the time signatures below:

Type of time signature (simple, compound,

TIME SIGNATURE duple, triple, quadruple)

Simple triple meter

Compound duple

Simple quadruple
Possible criteria when evaluating a composition + LIAP (= Listening and appraising)
1. Impact and overall impression of the piece; whether it holds the listener’s
attention.
2. Variety / contrast: dynamics, timbre, pitch, melody, rhythm, texture.
3. Exploration, appropriate use and control of muscial elements.
4. Unity – consistency of style.
5. Form: overall shape, design, structure, organization of ideas.
6. Effective use of climax.
7. Originality of ideas.
8. Choice of medium: instruments, voice, other sounds (used effectively, and
with understanding?)
9. Mood and character: appropriateness to the title and/or words of the
piece.
10.Clarity and accuracy of chosen notation; clear performance directions.

LISTENING ASSIGNMENT: Prelude to the opera Carmen by Bizet.

1.The instruments you hear first are:

A. Woodwind B. Brass C. Percussion

2. The tune is played by:

A. Violins B. Trumpets C. Clarinets

3. The music is in the style of:

A. Waltz B. a March C. A Jig

4. The tune is played again with the full orchestra joining in. The tune is now played:

A. Circle one: Higher than before OR Lower than before

B. Circle one: More quietly OR More loudly

5. You now hear a different tune. Two percussion instruments which add excitement and brilliance to
the music are:

A. _____________

B. _____________

6. At the end of the piece, the music:

A. Slows down B. Gets quicker C. Keeps the same speed

7. The mood of the music is:

A. Dreamy B. Solemn C. Joyful D. Mysterious

8. What do you like or dislike about this music? Give a personal response – expressing and justifying
your opinion/preference.