Pearson Edexcel A Level Music: How to Approach Question 5

Summary

This video provides comprehensive guidance for teachers and students on how to approach Question 5 in the A-level music exam, focusing on analytical and appraising skills. It explains how students should link unfamiliar pieces of music to their set works, using musical vocabulary to identify key features and explain their effects. It offers strategies for teaching, such as regularly practicing listening and essay writing, and provides tips for students to structure their responses effectively. The video also outlines the marking criteria and emphasizes the importance of linking other music to the unfamiliar piece to justify musical observations.

Takeaways

• 😀 Question 5 in the A-level music exam is designed to test candidates' ability to analyze and appraise unfamiliar music, relating it to set works and demonstrating critical thinking.
• 😀 The exam provides 20 marks for Question 5, with 30 to 35 minutes recommended to complete the essay. Adequate time management is essential for candidates to answer effectively.
• 😀 Students should develop their analytical skills by linking unfamiliar music to their study of set works and other relevant music, enhancing their ability to respond to new pieces.
• 😀 It is important for candidates to familiarize themselves with the process of listening to the music multiple times, taking notes, and controlling the audio during the exam.
• 😀 The command word 'discuss' requires candidates to explain how musical elements relate to the question, explore the effects of these elements, and justify their points with examples of other music.
• 😀 Teaching strategies should focus on gradually building skills to respond to unfamiliar music, starting with simple analysis and progressing to essay writing with timed practice.
• 😀 Candidates should structure their essays by musical elements, which helps to avoid repetition and ensures comprehensive analysis of the piece.
• 😀 The use of musical vocabulary is essential, and students should aim to link their observations to the question while justifying their points with relevant examples from other music.
• 😀 The marking criteria emphasize the importance of linking musical features to the question and integrating examples of other works to support arguments and justify musical observations.
• 😀 Level descriptors in the marking scheme assess candidates' ability to use musical elements accurately, explain their effects, and justify connections to other music, with higher marks awarded for detailed and well-justified analysis.

Q & A

What is the purpose of Question 5 in the A-Level music exam?

The purpose of Question 5 is to assess candidates' ability to respond analytically to an unfamiliar piece of music using musical vocabulary. Candidates must link the music to the set works they have studied and provide an evaluative and critical response.

How does Question 5 differ from other questions in the exam?

Unlike other questions, Question 5 focuses on an unfamiliar piece of music, and candidates must demonstrate their analytical and appraising skills without the aid of a score, relying solely on oral listening skills.

How much time is recommended to be spent on Question 5 in the exam?

It is recommended that students spend 30 to 35 minutes on Question 5, out of the total 80 minutes allocated to Section B of the exam.

What key skills are assessed in Question 5?

Question 5 assesses candidates' ability to analyze musical elements such as melody, harmony, texture, and rhythm, and make connections to their set works and other relevant pieces of music.

What is the significance of using other music in the response to Question 5?

Using other music in the response helps justify and strengthen the candidate’s argument. It demonstrates how the musical features in the unfamiliar piece relate to other works and allows candidates to show deeper knowledge of the music they studied.

What is the importance of understanding the command word 'discuss' for answering Question 5?

'Discuss' requires candidates to identify musical features, explain their effects, and justify their arguments by making connections with other music. It's not enough to describe; the candidate must analyze and evaluate the music.

What should candidates do during their first listen of the unfamiliar piece in the exam?

During the first listen, candidates should focus on identifying key musical elements, making rough notes on what they hear, and building up musical vocabulary for their response.

How should candidates structure their essay for Question 5?

Candidates can structure their essay by musical elements (e.g., melody, harmony, texture) or chronologically, though it’s recommended to avoid excessive repetition of musical vocabulary by focusing on linking elements to the question.

What type of musical vocabulary should candidates use in their response?

Candidates should use accurate musical vocabulary to describe the musical elements they identify in the piece. This vocabulary should be precise and relevant to the question to demonstrate their understanding.

What is the role of the mark scheme in evaluating Question 5 responses?

The mark scheme evaluates responses based on how well candidates identify and explain the musical elements, link them to the question, and justify their answers by referencing other music. It assesses accuracy, depth, and relevance of the analysis.

How can candidates improve their response by referencing other music?

Candidates can improve their response by specifically referencing other relevant pieces, explaining how they relate to the unfamiliar piece and how these examples justify their analysis. Simply naming a composer or work without explanation is insufficient.