Higher UM April Revision 26: 9 days to Go! - STRUCTURE OF THE HIGHER PAPER

There are 9 days to go until the Higher Understanding Music paper on Friday 5th May.

Structure of the Higher Paper

There will be multiple choice questions. Some will ask you to choose 3 options from a group of 9, like this - 

 and one asks for 4 options from a group of 10, like this - 

For the 3-choice option you will hear the music twice.

For the 4-choice option you will hear the music three times. 

Note that you should write out your answers on the lines. 

In some of the multiple choice questions, there will be supplementary questions asking you to write a word or phrase.

How to answer this question - 

• make sure you know all your concepts.

• look at the introductory phrase, e.g. 'this question features instrumental music' or 'this music is based on music from the Baroque period' - these phrases can help you identify or eliminate some of the options. 

• eliminate things which can't go together, e.g. it can't be symphony and concerto, it can't be lied and sonata, etc.

• listen carefully from the beginning to the end of the excerpt.

• don't panic if you don't hear everything right away; use the two or three playings - you are unlikely to identify everything the first time through. Take your time and think logically.

In the supplementary part of this question and others, make sure you know what they are looking for. 

If they ask for a rhythmic concept, they are looking for: 

If they ask for an instrumental technique, they are looking for: 

If they ask about tonality, they are looking for major or minor (probably) or modal or atonal (possibly). 

These questions can be about vocal music or instrumental music. Make sure you know about aria, recitative, opera, oratorio, plainchant, lied and the other vocal concepts (see Countdown 10 below).