The following are sample sentences to help students use music language to describe songs/pieces/compositions.
Dynamics: The dynamic level was loud (or soft) all the way through. There was a crescendo in the beginning (middle or end) when the section began softly and then gradually grew louder. The dynamic level was forte, fortissimo, or piano, pianissimo at the (beginning, middle or end)
Tempo: The tempo was fast (or slow) through the entire piece. There was an accelarando in the (beginning, middle or end) meaning the section sped up gradually. There was a deccelarando ( a gradual slowing) of the section at the (beginning, middle or end)
Rhythm: There were notes that were of long duration (or short duration) at the (beginning, middle or end). There was a pattern of long and short notes which I will draw. The pattern repeated ____ times. The beats were grouped in 4, 3, etc., at the (beginning, middle or end) The time signature changed to 4/4, 3/4, 6/8 (or whatever meter you think) at the (beginning, middle or end)
Articulation: The articulation was smooth or choppy at the (beginning, middle or end). The articulation was staccato which means choppy. The articulation was legato which means smooth.
Orchestration: The orchestration was perfect; I would add no instruments or make any changes. I thought the way the music was orchestrated was fine; I would add or take away no instruments. I would add the following instruments to get the effect of_______________ at the (beginning, middle or end)
Instrumentation: The instrumentation used was the following: (List the instruments)
Form: The piece/composition or song was organised this way: ABA, ABACA, AABB. Each letter stands for a different theme, phrase or section.
Pitch: The pitch was high (or low) (beginning, middle or end).
Tone Color or Timbre: There was an interesting tone color with the inclusion of a specific instrument or instruments.
Genre: The genre was classical, pop, jazz, folk, ethnic, etc.
Melody: The melody had a wide range because it included a very high pitch and a very low one. The melody included many large leaps from high to low pitch. The melody was minor or major. The melody had many notes of long (or short) duration.
Harmony: The harmony was two melodies sung (or played together). There were many chord changes (or few chord changes)
Texture: The texture of the piece was rough (or smooth) because of the smooth (or choppy articulation) loud or (soft dynamics) or because of the thickness (or thinness of the instrumentation)
Dynamics: The dynamic level was loud (or soft) all the way through. There was a crescendo in the beginning (middle or end) when the section began softly and then gradually grew louder. The dynamic level was forte, fortissimo, or piano, pianissimo at the (beginning, middle or end)
Tempo: The tempo was fast (or slow) through the entire piece. There was an accelarando in the (beginning, middle or end) meaning the section sped up gradually. There was a deccelarando ( a gradual slowing) of the section at the (beginning, middle or end)
Rhythm: There were notes that were of long duration (or short duration) at the (beginning, middle or end). There was a pattern of long and short notes which I will draw. The pattern repeated ____ times. The beats were grouped in 4, 3, etc., at the (beginning, middle or end) The time signature changed to 4/4, 3/4, 6/8 (or whatever meter you think) at the (beginning, middle or end)
Articulation: The articulation was smooth or choppy at the (beginning, middle or end). The articulation was staccato which means choppy. The articulation was legato which means smooth.
Orchestration: The orchestration was perfect; I would add no instruments or make any changes. I thought the way the music was orchestrated was fine; I would add or take away no instruments. I would add the following instruments to get the effect of_______________ at the (beginning, middle or end)
Instrumentation: The instrumentation used was the following: (List the instruments)
Form: The piece/composition or song was organised this way: ABA, ABACA, AABB. Each letter stands for a different theme, phrase or section.
Pitch: The pitch was high (or low) (beginning, middle or end).
Tone Color or Timbre: There was an interesting tone color with the inclusion of a specific instrument or instruments.
Genre: The genre was classical, pop, jazz, folk, ethnic, etc.
Melody: The melody had a wide range because it included a very high pitch and a very low one. The melody included many large leaps from high to low pitch. The melody was minor or major. The melody had many notes of long (or short) duration.
Harmony: The harmony was two melodies sung (or played together). There were many chord changes (or few chord changes)
Texture: The texture of the piece was rough (or smooth) because of the smooth (or choppy articulation) loud or (soft dynamics) or because of the thickness (or thinness of the instrumentation)