Barstow Community College Music Essay

This week in Module 1, we discussed some of our basic musical materials, including melody, rhythm and harmony. These three materials form the basic building blocks of all music. I am aware that listening for these musical materials with a critical ear can be difficult, but these are skills that can be built with practice, much like learning an instrument. Even if you are having a hard time identifying these materials in this first week, try your best to voice what you hear in the music. This is the easiest way to improve!

1. (6 points) Prompt: After listening to all of our listening examples for the week, choose one example to discuss. I have posted the list at the bottom of the discussion of the available works. First, explain why you chose the piece. Then, describe your choice’s melody, listening for melodic range and contour. Next, you will discuss rhythm, including meter and anything that stands out in the rhythm. Finally, you will cover the music’s harmony and musical mood.

Again, don’t worry about having the “wrong” answers, I want you to practice listening and discussing with these materials in mind.

Make sure to address and cover each material as listed below in your discussion:

Make Sure to Address:

• What piece did you choose? Why did you choose this piece?
• Your choice’s melody. What about the melody’s range and contour?
• Your choice’s rhythm. Is there anything special you notice about the rhythm? What meter do you think it is in (Two, Three, or Four)?
• Your choice’s harmony. Does it overall sound Major (Happy)? Or Minor (Sad)?
• What musical mood does it evoke in you when you listen to it?

Choose a Piece From the List Below:

• Piano Sonata No. 14 in C♯ minor No. 2, “Moonlight Sonata” by Ludwig Van Beethoven
• Bagatelle No. 25 in A minor “Fur Elise” by Ludwig Van Beethoven
• Cello Suite No. 1 in G major, BWV 1007 by J.S. Bach
• “Ride of the Valkyries” from Die Walkre by Richard Wagner
• Serenade No. 13 for strings in G major, K. 525 “Eine kleine Nachtmusik” by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
• “1812 Overture” by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
• “Toccata and Fugue in D minor,” BWV 565 by J.S. Bach
• “Der Hölle Rache” or the “Queen of the Night’s Aria” from Mozart’s The Magic Flute.
• “Gymnopédies“ by Erik Satie
• “Hallelujah Chorus” from Handel’s Messiah, HWV 56.

1. (2 Points For Each Response) Respond to TWO other student‘s posts: Make sure to discuss the subject matter in detail and engage the other students with respectful commentary. I want thought out discussion responses that ask new questions of your classmates.