A framework for answering aural questions using the 6 concepts of music.

 Read the question carefully and take careful note of key words.  Which of the concepts are involved?  Words like unity, contrast and interest!

 On first listen work out the structure of the excerpt.  This gives you the opportunity to answer with reference to a number of sections and fills out your answer.  Use dot points or short sentences with one idea per point or sentence.

 Listen to an excerpt and write down the structure.

Layers of sound! a. Describe the use of texture overall. Is the texture the same all the way through? Does the texture build up gradually or does it contrast thick and thin textures? b. Describe any changes in texture and their effect. Surprise, building excitement, tension and climax?

 How many bars in this section?  How many layers in this sections?  What instruments play each layer?  What kind of texture? (homophonic, polyphonic, monophonic etc)  Describe the functions of each layer (melody, accompaniment etc)

 How do the layers interact with each other? (similar motion, contrary motion, question and answer, imitation, call and response, canon)  Draw a diagram of the texture of the piece.

 Now repeat the questions for any other sections in the except.  For classical music this might mean ABA or rondo form.  For popular music this might mean verse/chorus.

 Unity refers to anything that is the same or similar.  The number of layers in the excerpt must be similar or the same in order for texture to contribute to unity. If there are always x amount of layers then texture creates unity. Focus on the interaction between the layers. Does one instrument always have the main melody or counter melody?

 Contrast refers to difference and diversity!  Adding layers is a common way of building excitement and tension.  Do different instruments share the main and counter melody?  Polyphony and contrary motion create contrast and interest as the melodic lines move independently of each other.

 Monophonic texture (monophony): a single layer, one melodic line or unison (more than one instrument playing the same melody).  Homophonic texture (homophony): a melody with a chordal accompaniment.  Polyphonic texture (polyphony): more than one (sometimes many) melodic line playing at the same time. Complex melodies and counter melodies.

 Unison means when two or more instruments play the same note at the same pitch.  Doubling occurs when the same melody is played by more than one instrument an octave apart.  Imitation occurs when a melody fragment is copied by another instrument.  Call and response texture occurs when a solo instrument makes a melodic statement or call and a larger group replies with a different statement.

 Similar motion occurs when the melodic contour of two melodies is the same.  Contrary motion means that melodies move in opposite directions.  Canon is where melodies are repeated in other voices usually after the melody is completed in another voice. Canon can also be turned upside down (inverted) and played backwards (retrograde).