Topic Six (1.6): Listen and appraise with an understanding of the elements of music

Topics Icon.png Objectives for this topic

In this topic you will appraise a performance of music, referring to all the elements of music you have explored throughout Module 1:

Tempo, Pitch, Duration, Timbre, Texture, Dynamics, Structure, Rhythm, Melody, Harmony and Tone.

Skills Icon.png Instructions

  • Listen to the performance of ‘Something Inside So Strong’ by the Kingdom Choir then describe the performance with reference to the elements of music you have been revising.

WATCH – Something Inside So Strong (YouTube) Links to an external site.

  • Comment on your understanding of how the elements have been used.
  • Explain what you particularly enjoy in relation to the use of elements. For example, do you particularly like how the choir varies dynamics throughout the piece? What emotions does their performance evoke? How is harmony used throughout the performance?

Here is an example of an audio appraisal of The Kingdom Choir performing their arrangement of ‘Blinded By Your Grace’, by Stormzy.

LISTEN - Kingdom Choir Audio Appraisal

Review Icon.png Review

Use the appraising prompts sheet as a checklist to help you create effective and thorough appraising. Have you responded to all of the prompts?

DOWNLOAD – Appraising Prompts  Download DOWNLOAD – Appraising Prompts 

Bridge Icon.png  Support activity for this topic

Use the appraisal prompts template provided to help write your descriptions of how the choir has used the elements of music within this piece. Use the vocabulary from the musical terms lists for Grades 1,2 and 3, as well as any extended vocabulary from the Grade 4 table you might know, to practise using the terminology with confidence:

READ - Musical terms (clementstheory.com) Links to an external site.

Stretch Icon.png Extension activity for this topic

Create a full review of the performance by writing your appraisal in paragraphs or create a commentary in a video recording. This extension activity will help you to practise the requirements of Assignment 1B. You may want to share this commentary with your tutor. However, it won’t be assessed.