Steps for listening to music analytically and visually

​ Listening and Analysis
 
The following exercises were created for a professional student. These exercises will work with almost any kind of music. If you choose classical music, I suggest music of the Baroque, Classical or Romantic eras as the scores are easily found online. If you choose pop music, the website www.musicnotes.com has the first page of every pop song that they publish, which you can use to check your answers later. The following lesson is meant to be done without reference to the written scores or your instrument. The scores are only consulted at the end to check your work.
 
You will need: a pencil, blank manuscript paper, YouTube access, and ear buds. 
 
Listen to the first 10 seconds or so of the piece you’ve chosen. Rewind and listen again. Then start in. Repeated listening will be required.
 
Meter 

• What is the meter? (4/4, ¾, 6/8 etc.)
• Does the piece begin on the down beat or is there an anacrusis?
• If the compositional theme is motivic, what is the rhythm of the motive? 
• Using score paper, write out the rhythm of the secondary parts for the first four measures. One stave per part.

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Tonality 

• What is the totality: major, minor, modal, blues, polytonal, or atonal?
• What is the harmonic rhythm?
• If the piece is tonal, use functional harmony symbols to write out the harmonic progression.  (In Baroque and classical era music the opening phrase will usually state the I, IV, V chords right away.)

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Tempo 

• How would you describe the tempo? Fast, slow, steady, rubato?
• Can you estimate how many beats per minute the music is playing (BPM)? Later, using the metronome on your phone, figure out the exact BPM. 

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 Dynamics

• In a general sense, does the music begin loud or soft? 
• Listen to the dynamic contrast of the melody. Does the dynamic change when the melodic direction changes? For example, does the melody crescendo when it rises and diminuendo when it falls?
•  Is the accompaniment louder or softer than the melody?

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Instrumentation and orchestration

• What instrument or instruments are playing?
•  In what order do the instruments enter?
• In which register are the instruments playing in?

 
Next step is to sit with your instrument and figure out the melodies that you are hearing. Then, at the piano, check your chord progressions.
 
After you have answered these questions download the score and compare your answers.
 
Have fun. If I can help you, please call me.
 
David