Introduction and Alignment
Analyzing music is not complicated, and because you are already familiar with it, all we really need is the terminology. The purpose of this assignment is to acquaint ourselves with basic terminology – if you have experience in music and want to use more sophisticated language in your assignments this week, feel free to do so. For many, learning about music in elementary school seems like a lifetime ago, and without use, these terms are quickly forgotten.
Upon completion of this assignment, you should be able to:
demonstrate appropriate usage of terminology related to the analysis of music.
Resources
“Musical Analysis” (8:13) (Links to an external site.)
This listing (Links to an external site.) of options for musical analysis
YouTube (Links to an external site.)
Recommended Resource
Here (Links to an external site.)is a link to a playlist of songs featuring different instrument families which can be useful as you learn to distinguish one instrument family from another.
Assignment Instructions
Begin by listening through the playlist featuring different instrument families to learn (or review if already familiar) different instruments and their characteristic sounds. Notice how sound is created in each family and how instrument size impacts the range (high/low) of the instrument.
Look through the listing (Links to an external site.)of options for musical analysis, and listen to one or two in order to decide which you want to use for this assignment. Almost all of the pieces involve a variety of instrument families, and the length of the piece does not make it easier or more difficult to analyze. You may listen to several before deciding; in the end, this assignment will be written about one of the listed pieces. YouTube will be a great resource – for best results, choose a recording made by a professional ensemble (these are common compositions, so you will have many from which to choose)..
Watch “Musical Analysis” (8:13) describing the analytical elements of music we’ll use in this class.
Listen to your chosen piece again, making notes about instrumentation, tempo, dynamics, and how mood is created.
Spend a few minutes researching the composer of your chosen piece – birth/death dates, country of origin, influences, types of pieces typically published, significant events (political/economic/religious) during the composer’s lifetime, etc. will be helpful as you establish context for your piece.
Your 3 page (not including the cover page and references page) music analysis essay should be constructed in the following manner:
Introduction – name your piece, the composer, and a couple of general observations about it, why you chose it, why you think it’s interesting, etc. Be sure and cite the source where you found the composer’s birth/death dates and any other borrowed information.
Context – describe the general context surrounding the piece, including where it was composed, for whom (if that information is known), where it was first performed, and any surrounding details about the composer’s life or things happening in the region at that time which may have impacted the composition of this particular piece. Avoid trivia and include details which are relevant to the piece. All borrowed information must be cited within the text, and all sources must be included on your reference page according to APA 7th ed. formatting guidelines.
Analysis – you may work through the remaining analytical elements (instrumentation, tempo, dynamics, mood) in any order you choose, but all must be addressed. If you recognize the instruments in your piece, you may not need to research this information; if you need to research the information, be sure to include a source citation in your text and include the source on your Reference page.
Conclusion – bring your paper to a close by offering a summary of the important elements of your piece and why you think it is important, meaningful, or impactful.
Use the assignment rubric to guide your efforts and apply the current edition APA formatting style.
Rubric
Artistic Analysis Rubric (Analyzing Music)
Artistic Analysis Rubric (Analyzing Music)
Criteria Ratings Pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeDescriiption or Context
19 pts
Exemplary
Generates a complete and detailed descriiption using discipline-specific language of the subject matter and/or relevant contextual elements seen in the work.
15 pts
Proficient
Makes a detailed descriiption using discipline-specific language of most of the subject matter and differentiates relevant contextual elements seen in the work.
12 pts
Emerging
Uses discipline-specific language to summarize some of the subject matter and/or relevant contextual elements seen in the work.
10 pts
Not Yet Developed
Lists some of the subject matter and/or relevant contextual elements seen in the work.
19 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeAnalysis
19 pts
Exemplary
Creates new tools of analysis to determine advanced elements of aesthetics.
15 pts
Proficient
Selects established tools of analysis to determine advanced elements of aesthetics.
12 pts
Emerging
Uses established tools of analysis to understand basic elements of aesthetics.
10 pts
Not Yet Developed
Identifies only basic elements of aesthetics.
19 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeEvidence and Sources
12 pts
Exemplary
Adapts evidence and sources to generate new knowledge. Source documentation is fully appropriate.
9 pts
Proficient
Judges the quality of supporting evidence and sources appropriately and synthesizes material to support conclusions. Sources cited appropriately.
7 pts
Emerging
Summarizes supporting evidence and sources accurately, but lacks synthesis. Sources are generally cited appropriately.
4 pts
Not Yet Developed
Uses evidence and sources only in support of personal and emotional conclusions. Sources not present or cited inappropriately.
12 pts
Total Points: 50
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