TEN THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT MELODYWRITING Leaving Cert

TEN THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT MELODY-WRITING Leaving Cert Music Revision Day 1 19 th January 2008 1

1 st thing: Modulating Ex 1: Key A to Key E Ex 2: Key Bb to Key F 2

2 nd thing: Sequence LC 1999: Possible sequence Another possibility 3

3 rd thing: Developing ideas LC 2003: Possible Bars 13 -14 4

4 th thing: Handling Bar 4 LC 2007: Look at bar 4 with phrasing LC 2002: Look at bar 4 with phrasing 5

5 th thing: Cadences Overview Bars 3 -4: Cadence is given n Bars 7 -8: Modulation n Bars 11 -12: Imperfect (landing on V) n Bars 15 -16: Perfect (V-I) n 6

6 th thing: Minor Keys Scale of B minor: Notes that can approach the raised 7 th: 7

7 th thing: Instruments Lowest notes: 8

8 th thing: 6/8 time More bars in Compound Duple time 9

9 th thing: Setting text n n Say each line, stress the important syllables, place these on strong beats, compose a musical tune, wordpaint. . . You could use Q 2 2007 to practise a minor melody. What are the main features of the given phrase? 10

10 th thing: Form and Dance Look at Q 3 on the LC 2007 paper n n n Minuet in AA 1 BA 2 Mainly quavers. Emphasise first beat of each bar. Dainty. Don’t introduce minims or put the dotted crotchet on a different beat. Examine the Key - Tonic solfa - Bar 4 – Phrasing – Features - Possible sequence - Form 11

Major Melody (page 23) 12

PS For practice, do the LC melodies from 1999 to 2007 n Know keys up to four sharps and flats n Sing your melodies n What are the good and bad leaps? n In the exam the harmony gets more marks, so spend more time on it n 13

Best of luck! http: //www. teachnet. ie (Senior Cycle Music) 14