This course has 56 topics. Open practice to work through them in the NECO SSCE workspace.
course outline
MUSIC
Rudiments of Music (Western)
Scales: (Western)
Modes: (African)
Keys and Key Signatures
Time Signatures: Simple and Compound
Intervals
Transcription (Staff notation into Solfa and vice versa)
Transposition, including writing for transposing instruments
Musical terms, signs, ornaments and abbreviations
Elementary Harmony
Chords/Triads
Chord Progressions
Cadences (in both major and minor keys)
Use of primary and secondary triads in harmonising a given melody
The use of non-harmonic tones;
Modulations from the home key to its closely related keys only
Four-part harmony (SATB).
Two-part free Counterpoint (adding a part above or below a given melody).
Composition
Continuing a given melodic phrase in either a major or minor key to form a melody of not less than 12 bars and not more than 16 bars in all.
Setting a given text in English to music.
Form and Analysis
Simple forms e.g. binary, ternary, rondo, etc.
Extended forms e.g. overture, oratorio, opera, cantata, suite, sonata, symphony, concerto, etc.
Form in traditional African music, e.g. the various forms of antiphony (Call and Response, Cantor/Chorus, Call and Refrain), Repetitive (Cyclic) forms, etc.
Form in contemporary African art music – with emphasis on compositional techniques, e.g. use of melody, rhythm, harmony, instrumentation, through-composed pieces, etc.
Prepared set-works as recommended for each year
Aural Tests (PAPER 3A)
Rhythmic Dictation
Melody Writing
Writing the Upper or Lower Part of a Two-Part Phrase
Chords
Cadences
Modulations
Identification/Description of Themes
Performance Test
Performance
Musical Instruments
NOTES ON THE CONDUCT OF PERFORMANCE TEST
VOICE
VIOLIN
PIANO
WIND INSTRUMENTS
HISTORY AND LITERATURE
Traditional Musicians/Composers
Popular Musicians
Contemporary Art Musicians
Western Composers
Black Music in the Diaspora
TRADITIONAL AND CONTEMPORARY AFRICAN MUSIC
The role of music in traditional African Society
General Characteristics
Categories and types
Relationship of music to other arts e.g. dance, drama, festival etc.
