Use fifteen of the words listed below. You may refer to the entire videos in your essay, or you may decide to refer only to part of a video. If you are referring to a specific part of the recording, then please specify which part. This is so that I can grade your essay according to the part of the recording that you have chosen to refer to.
For each word that you use correctly, according to the definitions on the vocabulary list, you will earn one point, up to fifteen points. If you use more than fifteen words from the list, and the extra words are used incorrectly, then one point per incorrect word will deducted from your score. Editing, formatting and proofreading are worth an additional five points. In total, twenty points are possible.
If you are writing about a specific chronological part of a piece, then refer to timestamps so that I know what you are referring to. This will help me to grade you more clearly.
Points will not be given for words used in the negative. For instance, if the piece is played by a string quartet, then you will not be given a point for telling me that the ensemble “does not include percussion.”
It is OK to use words in a different form. For instance, using the word “monorhythm” instead of “monorhythmic” would still get you a point. However, using both forms would not count as two points.
Giant Steps – John Coltrane
Bitches Brew – Miles Davis
The Credo – Mary Lou Williams
Au Privave – Charlie Parker
Caravan – Duke Ellington
Words that will accrue points (see the vocabulary list): Piece; Song; Pulse; Beat; Meter; Measure; Rhythm; Syncopation; Pitch; Note; Tempo; Duration; Monorhythmic; Polyrhythmic; Polymetric; Rubato; Melody; Melismatic; Syllabic; Unison; Harmony; Chord; Accompaniment; Consonance; Dissonanace; Treble; Bass; Percussion; Pitched Percussion; Unpitched Percussion; Woodwinds; Brass; Strings; Keyboard; Timbre; Tone; Texture; Monophony; Homophony; Polyphony; Heterophony; Part; Score; Section; Swing; Straight; Dynamics; Instrumentation; Ensemble; Soprano; Mezzo Soprano; Alto; Tenor; Baritone; Bass.
Tip: Your writing does not need to be complicated. Using one vocabulary word in a sentence and keeping you sentences simple is just fine. More complicated sentences won’t result in a higher grade. However, Editing, proofreading and formatting do count. See paragraph two above.
