Observation

The overall performance for this question was below average. Most candidates were unable to exhibit a thorough knowledge of balance in melody writing as well as form and modulation to the subdominant key. However, a few candidates made attempt to modulate but lacked the adequate knowledge in their modulation. Also, some candidates notes were shapeless, wrongly directed and almost all candidates failed to show any phrasing in the melody. These wrong responses made the candidates to lose substantial marks.

OR

 

(ii)Set the text below to a suitable melody. Indicate the tempo, phrasing and dynamics marks. Credit will be given for originality of the composition and proper alignment of texts to the notes.

My heart burns for you, my love.
In the moment of my stress
It craves for you like a dove.
Like an oil of my tree.
A few candidates who attempted the question were unable to set the given texts to a suitable melody.  Some candidates assigned two or more syllables to a single pitch, while some set the text without recognising their importance in the melody. These led to poor performance in the question.

 

(b)TWO PART WRITING

 

Add an independent flowing bass part below the given melody.

Candidates performed poorly in this question, they demonstrated a poor understanding in two part writing. Most candidates failed to show independence in melodic curves as well as melodic interest, the counter melody did not stand on its own and final cadence could not be spelt out. These led to poor performance in the question.

 

(c)FOUR PART HARMONY

Harmonize the bass part below by adding Alto, Tenor and Base parts.

 

 Candidates’ performance in this part was also very poor. Most candidates showed poor understanding in the harmonic interest (progression), final cadential progression, copying, phrase marks and alignment were poorly done. Candidates who were unable to do this lost enormous marks.