Music for Grade 3
1 **Musical Knowledge and Understanding**
1-1 **Key Signatures**
1-1 1 Recognize and write key signatures for C major, G major, F major, D major, and B flat major
1-1 2 Identify the number of sharps or flats in each key signature
1-1 3 Understand the relationship between key signatures and the Circle of Fifths
1-2 **Time Signatures**
1-2 1 Recognize and write time signatures: 24, 34, 44, 68
1-2 2 Understand the difference between simple and compound time signatures
1-2 3 Count and perform rhythms in different time signatures
1-3 **Intervals**
1-3 1 Identify and name intervals up to an octave
1-3 2 Recognize and write major, minor, perfect, augmented, and diminished intervals
1-3 3 Understand the relationship between intervals and scales
1-4 **Scales**
1-4 1 Play and recognize major scales in C, G, F, D, and B flat
1-4 2 Play and recognize minor scales in A, E, and D
1-4 3 Understand the structure of major and minor scales
1-5 **Chords**
1-5 1 Recognize and play major and minor triads
1-5 2 Understand the structure of major and minor triads
1-5 3 Recognize and play inversions of triads
1-6 **Sight-Reading**
1-6 1 Read and perform simple melodies in different keys
1-6 2 Recognize and perform rhythms in different time signatures
1-6 3 Identify and perform intervals and chords from sight
2 **Performance**
2-1 **Solo Performance**
2-1 1 Perform a memorized solo piece from the Grade 3 syllabus
2-1 2 Demonstrate accurate rhythm, pitch, and dynamics
2-1 3 Show expressive playing with appropriate phrasing and articulation
2-2 **Duet Performance**
2-2 1 Perform a duet with a partner from the Grade 3 syllabus
2-2 2 Demonstrate good ensemble skills, including balance and synchronization
2-2 3 Show sensitivity to dynamics and phrasing in a duet setting
2-3 **Technical Exercises**
2-3 1 Perform technical exercises to develop finger dexterity and accuracy
2-3 2 Demonstrate control over dynamics and articulation in technical exercises
2-3 3 Apply technical skills to solo and duet performances
3 **Listening and Appraisal**
3-1 **Listening Skills**
3-1 1 Identify and describe the main elements of a piece of music (e g , melody, harmony, rhythm, dynamics)
3-1 2 Recognize different musical styles and genres
3-1 3 Identify the key and time signature of a piece of music
3-2 **Appraisal Skills**
3-2 1 Evaluate the performance of a solo piece, focusing on accuracy, expression, and technical skill
3-2 2 Provide constructive feedback on a duet performance, considering ensemble skills and musicality
3-2 3 Reflect on personal performance and identify areas for improvement
4 **Composition**
4-1 **Simple Composition**
4-1 1 Compose a short melody in a given key and time signature
4-1 2 Incorporate simple rhythmic patterns and dynamics
4-1 3 Use intervals and chords to create harmonic structure
4-2 **Improvisation**
4-2 1 Improvise a short melody based on a given chord progression
4-2 2 Experiment with different rhythms and dynamics in improvisation
4-2 3 Apply technical skills to improvisation
5 **General Musicianship**
5-1 **Rhythmic Patterns**
5-1 1 Recognize and perform simple and compound rhythmic patterns
5-1 2 Understand the relationship between rhythm and meter
5-1 3 Apply rhythmic patterns to performance and composition
5-2 **Dynamics and Articulation**
5-2 1 Demonstrate a range of dynamics (e g , piano, forte, mezzo-piano, mezzo-forte)
5-2 2 Use different articulations (e g , legato, staccato, tenuto) to convey expression
5-2 3 Apply dynamics and articulation in performance and composition
5-3 **Phrasing and Interpretation**
5-3 1 Understand the concept of phrasing and its importance in musical expression
5-3 2 Apply phrasing to solo and duet performances
5-3 3 Interpret the musical structure of a piece to convey its meaning
3-2 Appraisal Skills

3-2 Appraisal Skills

Key Concepts

Appraisal skills in music involve the ability to critically evaluate and appreciate musical works. Key concepts include:

Critical Listening

Critical listening involves paying close attention to the details of a musical piece, such as melody, harmony, rhythm, dynamics, and texture. It requires focusing on the nuances and subtleties that contribute to the overall impact of the music.

Examples and Analogies

Think of critical listening as examining a painting up close. Just as you would notice the brushstrokes and color choices, critical listening involves noticing the phrasing, articulation, and dynamic contrasts in music. For example, listening to a string quartet and identifying how each instrument contributes to the overall harmony and texture.

Musical Analysis

Musical analysis involves breaking down a piece of music into its components to understand its structure and composition. This includes identifying themes, motifs, form, and the use of musical elements such as tempo, dynamics, and instrumentation.

Examples and Analogies

Imagine musical analysis as dissecting a machine to understand how each part works together. Just as you would examine each gear and lever, musical analysis involves examining each musical element. For example, identifying the ABA form in a classical piece and understanding how the themes are developed and repeated.

Contextual Understanding

Contextual understanding involves knowing the historical, cultural, and emotional context of the music. This includes understanding the composer's background, the era in which the music was composed, and the intended emotional impact of the piece.

Examples and Analogies

Consider contextual understanding as understanding the setting of a story. Just as knowing the time and place of a story adds depth, knowing the context of a piece of music adds richness. For example, understanding that a piece by Mozart was composed during the Classical era and reflects the elegance and balance of that period.

Practical Application

To develop appraisal skills, follow these steps:

  1. Choose a piece of music that you are familiar with and listen to it critically, focusing on its melody, harmony, rhythm, dynamics, and texture.
  2. Break down the music into its components and understand its structure, themes, and motifs.
  3. Research the composer, the era, and the intended emotional impact of the music to gain a contextual understanding.
  4. Form an opinion about the music's strengths and weaknesses based on your analysis and contextual understanding.
  5. Discuss your thoughts with others to gain different perspectives and deepen your appreciation of the music.