18.09.14

We’re starting to get into the nitty-gritty of some of the work, and this is where patience and perseverance is needed! Analysing and writing harmony requires you to know key signatures, understand triads, and begin to investigate what sevenths and suspensions are. All of this is a far cry from the basic knowledge required at GCSE level. Well done though, we are improving. This week’s harmony homework task looks similar to what you will get in the exam in May, but I have identified the chords for you, so you’ve got to work out the notes in the alto, tenor and bass part from the chord symbols.

Our general listening is already making progress too. We had much more accurate attempts at recognising Dowland’s Flow my tears, The Heavens are telling from Haydn’s oratorio, ‘The Creation’ and Igor Stravinsky’s seminal work, an extract from The Rite of Spring (we listened particularly from 3’32” onwards). Remember to think about key style features and musical elements to try and place the pieces in context. Also, as we build up more experience, we will get better at choosing a date and composer that match more accurately!

Finally,  well done for the prep work you did on Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No. 4, and we will build more on that when we’ve more time next week.

Any problems with homework, please email me – have a good week!