General Knowledge Questions

1. Comment on the title of the piece (i.e. What is a symphony? What does Jelly Bean Rag imply?). 2. What is the key signature of the piece? Are there any major changes, if so, where and what do they change to? 3. What is the time signature of the piece? 4. Can you explain the tempo of the piece? 5. What form is the piece in? 6. Examine each piece then identify and explain all the symbols and expression marks used (i.e. notes, rests, signs and terms).

Key things to remember before your exam!

Listen to recordings every time before you practice your pieces. Go through and answer all the general knowledge questions for each of your pieces. Try not to look at the answers until youve attempted all the questions for all the pieces. Revise symbols and expression marks meanings. Erase all pencil marks a couple days before the exam so that you can practice the piece without them and get used to a clean music score. THE DAY BEFORE YOUR EXAM: Practice your pieces and try to play it perfectly the very first time before replaying it. Do NOT over practice as you may burn out and fatigue your hands and arm muscles. THE NIGHT BEFORE YOUR EXAM: Have everything you need for the exam ready to go, i.e. book, exam notification!! Get a good nights rest, SLEEP EARLY! MORNING OF YOUR EXAM: Run through everything ONCE as if you were under exam conditions: scales then pieces. Dont practice too much before the exam otherwise youll overthink little things. TRAVELLING TO EXAM: If your hands are cold, wear some gloves and keep them warm. DURING EXAM: Relax. Take a deep breath before you start. You dont need to rush, so take your time if you need it before/after/in between pieces. And, GOOD LUCK!!

BIRCH | Havanna Nights

1. Comment on the title of the piece. This rhythmic, exotic piece is reflective of a Latin American salsa-like dance. Havana is the capital city of Cuba where music like this originated from. 2. What is the key signature of the piece? Are there any major changes, if so, where and what do they change to? The main key signature is C minor. There no major changes. 3. What is the time signature of the piece? Common time = 4. Can you explain the tempo of the piece? Allegro, meaning fast and lively. 5. What form is the piece in? Havanna Nights is written in the style of a montuna, a Latin American dance similar to a salsa.

MIER | Jelly Bean Rag

1. Comment on the title of the piece. The rag is an American musical genre which features syncopated rhythms similar to those introduced in genres such as blues and ragtime. Ragtime music usually has the main beats and chords on the offbeats which gives it this ragged effect. 2. What is the key signature of the piece? Are there any major changes, if so, where and what do they change to? This piece is mostly in G major. 3. What is the time signature of the piece?

4. Can you explain the tempo of the piece? (Refer to the tempo suggestions given at the beginning of the piece.) 5. What form is the piece in? Ternary (ABA)

MOZART | Theme from Symphony No 40

1. Comment on the title of the piece. A symphony is an elaborate musical composition written for a full orchestra which consists of mainly four movements (usually very, very long piece but, of course, the one youre playing has been simplified). As Mozart was from the Classical Era, he wrote many symphonies, sonatas, operas and concertos. 2. What is the key signature of the piece? Are there any major changes, if so, where and what do they change to? This piece starts in G minor, then transitions to its relative key, B flat major (bars 30-45), then returns and ends in G minor. 3. What is the time signature of the piece? Cut common time = =

Cut common time is a simple-duple meter with a half-note pulse. All this means is that its main beats are in the middle of the bars as well as the beginning of the bar, however, it is still mathematically equal to time, such that it has four crotchet beats per bar.

4. Can you explain the tempo of the piece? (Refer to the tempo suggestions given at the beginning of the piece.) 5. What form is the piece in? The original piece which this Theme has been adapted from is in sonata form. While the rearrange piece (what youre playing) splits nicely into two sections, it can be mistaken for binary form however, its not. Sonata form consists of an introduction followed by its three main sections, and sometimes a Coda (the concluding passage of a piece or movement). These three main sections include: Exposition themes introduced in main and relative keys Development a contrasting episode Recapitulation themes restated, now all in the main key