Written examination – Aural skills
Question 1
Candidates showed strength in these areas:

understanding pitch, making reference to harmony and tonality

understanding the style and features, including 12-bar blues, walking bass,
blues scale and bends

structuring a clear and concise answer

using appropriate terminology

identifying examples of instruments to support the description of pitch.
Candidates need to improve in these areas:

describing pitch rather than other concepts

discussing pitch in relation to the excerpt rather than in a generalised form

providing a key or notation to graphic notation

making specific references to the excerpt

providing more detail with discussion of concepts such as register – not
simply high or low.
Question 2
Candidates showed strength in these areas:

understanding the concepts of structure and texture

providing well-chosen examples

responding to both parts of the question

structuring concise responses that specifically address the question.
Candidates need to improve in these areas:

using relevant musical terminology

referring to textural layers and density

annotating diagrams where necessary to clarify meaning.
Question 3
Candidates showed strength in these areas:

exploring stylistic features by referring to a range of concepts

comparing and contrasting stylistic influences

including appropriate musical examples

including optional musical notation and labelled graphic notation

using musical terminology appropriate to the styles explored

making structural references to accurately identify observations.
Candidates need to improve in these areas:

exploring stylistic features rather than identifying and discussing
performing media

providing supporting examples

applying and referring to terminology accurately

considering all styles rather than focusing on one style at the expense of
others.
Question 4
Candidates showed strength in these areas:

understanding how contrast is achieved with specific reference to the
excerpt

organising a succinct response, referring to a range of concepts in relation
to contrast

supporting observations with clear and concise explanations

using clear graphic representation and/or music notation to support
responses.
Candidates need to improve in these areas:

applying appropriate music terminology to the excerpt

labelling graphic notation and/or diagrams

understanding the extent to which each concept can be applied to the
question.