GCSE Music 

Creative Task Survival Guide - Descriptive Music:

A short descriptive passage which needs to be represented in a musical composition.

 

1/ Break the passage down and identify the most important words that need to be described.

 

2/ Decide on a structure which will best describe the scene. Do the words suggest a structure that comes back to the opening idea like A,B,A ternary or should it be 'Through composed' - a composition which develops without returning to earlier material.

 

3/ You need to make sure that any key moments are clearly described in the music. Leave the examiner in no doubt that you are describing specific words or actions in the text.

 

4/ Does you composition show a contrast in... Range, Dynamics, Tempo & Articulation and does it describe the words you have been given?

 

Example 1

The plane starts moving down the runway towards you. It gains speed before taking off and climbing high into the air, into the distance.

 

Example 2

A stream flows through the peaceful hillside gaining pace until suddenly reaching a dramatic waterfall. The sound of the water crashing onto the rocks below is deafening!

 

Example 3

The chickens strutted slowly around the pen, pecking at the ground and clucking quietly. The tranquility is suddenly shattered by a dog barking loudly through the fence. The chickens squark loudly and flap their wings as they panic to move away from the dog!