Question 1: Define the term 'dynamics' in music and give two examples of dynamic markings you might see in sheet music.

Answer: Dynamics refer to the volume of music, indicating how loud or soft the music should be played. Examples include 'p' for piano (soft) and 'f' for forte (loud).

Question 2: Listen carefully to a piece of music and identify whether the tempo is slow, moderate, or fast. Justify your answer with a brief explanation.

Answer: Students should identify the tempo as slow, moderate, or fast based on the speed of the beat, and explain, for example, that a slow tempo feels relaxed and is characterized by fewer beats per minute.

Question 3: Explain what a 'crescendo' indicates in musical notation and describe how it affects the sound.

Answer: A crescendo indicates that the music should gradually get louder, resulting in an increase in volume over a passage.

Question 4: Identify and describe the difference between a 'major' and a 'minor' scale in terms of mood and sound.

Answer: A major scale generally sounds happy or bright, while a minor scale often sounds sad or somber. The difference lies in the pattern of intervals between the notes.

Question 5: Describe the term 'syncopation' and explain how it creates interest in a piece of music.

Answer: Syncopation involves placing emphasis on normally weak beats or off-beats, creating a rhythmic surprise that makes the music more engaging.

Question 6: Sketch a simple rhythmic pattern that includes a rest and a syncopated note. Use a blank space for your drawing.

Answer: A correct sketch would show a series of four beats with a rest on the second beat and a note played on the off-beat (e.g., the 'and' after beat 2), demonstrating syncopation.

Question 7: Identify the term used when a melody moves stepwise (by adjacent notes) rather than by leaps.

Answer: The term is 'conjunct'.

Question 8: Explain what a 'key signature' is and how it helps musicians understand the tonality of a piece.

Answer: A key signature is a set of sharps or flats at the beginning of a piece that indicates the key, helping musicians know which notes are to be consistently raised or lowered, defining the tonal centre.

Question 9: Describe what is meant by 'homophonic' texture in music and give an example of where you might hear it.

Answer: Homophonic texture involves a main melody accompanied by chords or harmony. An example is a singer accompanied by a guitar or piano playing chords.

Question 10: Identify the musical term for a sudden loud sound or emphasis, often used for dramatic effect.

Answer: The term is 'sforzando' (sfz).

Question 11: Listen to a short musical passage and describe whether it is in ternary, binary, or rondo form. Provide reasoning for your answer.

Answer: Students should identify the form based on the structure: ternary (A-B-A), binary (A-B), or rondo (ABACA, etc.), and explain the repetition or contrast in sections.