Creative Task Survival Guide - A Set of Words:

A set of words: up to eight lines in length. 

 

If the ‘words’ stimulus is chosen, the words must be used in full in the piece.

1/ What is the mood suggested by the words? Happy – Faster, Louder, Major Key. Sad – Slower, quieter, Minor Key. Play a major chord or minor chord that you are comfortable with to secure a sense of key.

 

2/ Underline the important Words and Syllables Does the song have an obvious climax? Could you repeat some words for dramatic effect? The strong syllables will help you to plan the time signature of your song. Is it in 3 or 4?

 

3/ Can you include word painting? Look for words that describe movement – up, down, higher, lower, faster, slower etc.

 

4/ Develop Your Musical Ideas Singing the words through once will not be enough. Organise a clear structure to your song. Don't just repeat all the words again - Repeat important words or lines. Add variation with Range, Dynamics, Tempo and different Vocal Techniques.

 

Words - Example 1

Do you wish to make the mountains bare their head

And lay their new-cut forests at your feet?

Do you want to turn a river in its bed,

Or plant a barren wilderness with wheat?

 

Shall we pipe aloft and bring you water down,

From the never-failing cisterns of the snows,

To work the mills and tramways in your town,

And irrigate your orchards as it flows?

 

Words - Example 2

Summer winds. Soon they will be gone and Fall begins.

And it won't be long, Before Winter ends.

And the chirping of the birds singing In the Spring,

Will be heard once again.

 

Seasons come and seasons go.

Appreciated more as one grows old.

 

Words - Example 3

The love of field and coppice

Of green and shaded lanes,

Of ordered woods and gardens

Is running in your veins.

Strong love of grey-blue distance,

Brown streams and soft, dim skies

I know, but cannot share it, My love is otherwise. 

 

 

 

 

Creative Task Past Papers - Words

 

 

 

 June 2010

 

 

 

 

 

 Jan 2011

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

June 2011

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

June 2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jan 2013