Question 1: Describe the key features of a typical jazz swing rhythm. How does it differ from a straight eighth-note pattern?

Answer: A swing rhythm involves dividing each beat into a long note followed by a shorter one, creating a 'lilting' feel. This contrasts with a straight eighth-note pattern where all notes are evenly spaced.

Question 2: Identify the musical style being described: A piece features atonality, irregular rhythms, and the use of dissonant chords. Name the style and one composer associated with it.

Answer: The style is atonal music, associated with composers like Arnold Schoenberg.

Question 3: Listen carefully to the following verbal description: a piece features a repetitive bass line, minimal harmonic changes, and gradual layering of textures. What style is this likely to be?

Answer: This description suggests minimalism, a style associated with composers like Steve Reich or Philip Glass.

Question 4: Explain what is meant by 'synthesis' in the context of electronic music in the 20th century.

Answer: Synthesis refers to creating sounds electronically by combining or manipulating signals using synthesizers to produce new timbres and textures.

Question 5: Sketch a simple graph representing a typical twelve-tone row. Label the axes as 'Tone' (horizontal) and 'Order' (vertical).

Answer: A correct sketch would show a sequence of twelve different pitches arranged in a row, with each pitch appearing only once, plotted along the 'Tone' axis. The 'Order' axis indicates the sequence in which the pitches are used.

Question 6: List three characteristics of musique concrète and describe how it differs from traditional instrumental music.

Answer: Musique concrète involves using recorded natural sounds as raw material, manipulated through editing and effects. Unlike traditional instrumental music, it does not rely on live instruments or traditional notation.

Question 7: Describe the concept of 'aleatoric music' and give an example of a composer known for this style.

Answer: Aleatoric music involves elements of chance or randomness in the composition or performance. An example is John Cage.

Question 8: Identify the features of a piece that uses serialism. How does serialism influence the composition process?

Answer: Serialism uses a series of values (such as pitches, rhythms, or dynamics) arranged in a specific order, often atonal. It influences composition by providing a structured method for avoiding traditional tonality.

Question 9: Discuss the significance of the development of the electric guitar in 20th-century popular music.

Answer: The electric guitar revolutionized popular music by enabling new sounds and styles, such as rock and roll, and became a central instrument in various genres due to amplification and effects.

Question 10: In your own words, explain how the concept of 'musical texture' has evolved in 20th-century music, giving one example of a textured style.

Answer: Musical texture in the 20th century became more varied, including monophony, polyphony, homophony, and experimental textures. An example is polytonality in Stravinsky’s works, where multiple keys are used simultaneously.