§-Music syllabus

Music syllabus, dot point by dot point

Every dot point in the TAS Music course document, in syllabus order, with a focused answer for each. Open any dot point for the answer, exam-style questions and links to related points.

Aural and Music Theory

Section overview →

How do we find rhythmic errors between sound and score, and notate a rhythm we hear?

Identify rhythmic errors by comparing a played excerpt with a notated score, and notate the rhythm of an instrumental part heard in an excerpt.

6 min read →

How do we name, build and hear intervals, and how do we transpose a melody accurately into a new key?

Identify and construct intervals by number and quality, invert them, recognise them by ear, and transpose melodies for different keys and instruments.

6 min read →

What do the common terms, signs and performance directions on a score mean, and how do they affect the sound?

Define and explain the meaning and musical effect of common terms, signs and performance directions covering tempo, dynamics, articulation and expression.

6 min read →

How are chords built and labelled, and how do progressions and cadences shape the harmony of a piece?

Construct triads and seventh chords, label them with Roman numerals and chord symbols, recognise inversions, and analyse progressions and cadences.

6 min read →

What are the modes, and what melodic and rhythmic devices shape improvised and developed music?

Construct and recognise the church modes, and identify improvisational and developmental devices such as sequence, inversion, ornamentation, polyrhythm, anticipation and suspension.

6 min read →

How are scales, keys and modes built, and how do we recognise them by ear and on the page?

Construct and identify major, minor and modal scales, work out key signatures, and recognise tonality aurally.

6 min read →

How do we identify compositional and expressive devices in a played excerpt by ear?

Aurally identify compositional devices in selected excerpts, such as sequence, crescendo, improvisation, metre change, ostinato, imitation and modulation.

6 min read →

How do we identify a melody we hear, including a missing phrase or the correct version from several options?

Aurally identify a melodic phrase heard from several notated options, and recognise a two-bar phrase missing from a given melody.

6 min read →

How do we transcribe melody, rhythm and harmony accurately by ear, and detect errors in a written score?

Take melodic and rhythmic dictation, transcribe a bass line and harmony, identify intervals and chords aurally, and find notated errors against a played example.

6 min read →

How do time signatures, note values and metre organise rhythm, and how do we notate rhythm accurately by ear?

Interpret simple and compound time signatures, group note values correctly, handle tuplets and syncopation, and notate rhythm from listening.

6 min read →

How do we write a coherent melody and notate it correctly so any musician can read it?

Write a melody with clear phrase structure and cadence, and notate pitch and rhythm using correct clefs, stems, beaming, accidentals and bar layout.

6 min read →

Composition and Arranging

Section overview →

How do we develop musical ideas into a complete composition or arrangement using melody, harmony, structure and texture?

Generate and develop motifs, harmonise melodies, choose structure and texture, arrange for available forces, and notate a composition clearly for performance.

6 min read →

Critical Listening Analysis

Section overview →

How do we analyse a piece of music using the elements of music and place it in its stylistic and historical context?

Analyse melody, harmony, rhythm, texture, timbre, dynamics, structure and form, and discuss style, genre and context with appropriate terminology.

6 min read →

Performance Skills

Section overview →

How do we prepare, interpret and present a polished performance, and reflect critically on it?

Develop technical control, accuracy and musicianship, interpret style and expression, prepare a program, manage ensemble and stage presentation, and reflect on performance.

6 min read →