§-Music syllabus
WA · SCSA← Music
Music syllabus, dot point by dot point
Every dot point in the WA Music syllabus, with a focused answer for each. Click any dot point for a worked explainer, past exam questions and links to related points.
Unit 3: Identities
Module overview →How do I analyse designated and unseen works for the elements of music, stylistic conventions and cultural and historical context in the written exam?
Analyse designated and unseen works using the elements of music, stylistic conventions and cultural and historical context within the Unit 3 theme of identities
How do I analyse an unseen excerpt aurally and visually for instrumentation, texture, metre and tonality under exam conditions?
Analyse unseen music excerpts aurally and visually, identifying instrumentation, clef, metre, tempo, key, tonality and texture
How do I identify cadences by ear and on the page and notate a harmonic progression accurately in the aural and theory paper?
Recognise, label and notate cadences and harmonic progressions aurally and visually as part of music literacy
How do I build, label and write chords and harmonic progressions, including cadences and figured-bass realisations, for the music literacy paper?
Construct, identify and notate triads, seventh chords, inversions, cadences and harmonic progressions using Roman numeral and figured-bass labelling
How do I analyse a contemporary or popular designated work and explain its production, style and identity?
Analyse a designated contemporary work, identifying style, production techniques, song form and cultural and historical context within the identities theme
How do I identify, build and write intervals, scales and key signatures accurately under aural and theory exam conditions?
Identify, construct and notate intervals, major and minor scales, modes and their key signatures as part of music literacy
How do I analyse a jazz designated work, recognising its style, language and place in jazz history within the identities theme?
Analyse a designated jazz work, identifying style, jazz conventions, improvisation and cultural and historical context within the identities theme
How do I recognise, build and use modes and non-major or minor scales by ear and on the page across jazz and contemporary contexts?
Identify, construct and use modes, pentatonic, blues and whole-tone scales as part of music literacy
How do I recognise, explain and notate modulation and transposition accurately in the WACE Music aural and theory paper?
Identify, explain and notate modulation between related keys and transpose melodies and parts as part of music literacy
How do I notate rhythm and metre accurately and transcribe melodic and rhythmic dictation correctly under timed aural conditions?
Notate rhythm and metre, and transcribe melodic and rhythmic dictation accurately as part of aural and theory skills
How do I sight-sing accurately and detect notation errors between a score and a recording in the aural paper?
Sing at sight and detect aural and visual errors between notated music and a performed version as part of music literacy
How do I use the elements of music as a precise vocabulary to describe and analyse any work in the written exam?
Apply the elements of music as an analytical vocabulary to describe and compare works across contexts
How do I analyse a Western Art Music designated work and place it in its stylistic period and historical context?
Analyse a designated Western Art Music work, identifying period style, conventions and cultural and historical context within the identities theme
Unit 4: Innovations
Module overview →How do I analyse how composers and artists innovate, and connect those innovations to cultural and historical context in the written exam?
Analyse musical innovation in designated and unseen works and connect it to cultural, historical and technological context within the Unit 4 theme of innovations
How do I analyse an unseen work under exam time pressure when I have never heard or seen it before?
Analyse an unseen work using the elements of music and stylistic clues to identify context and discuss innovation
How do I arrange music for a small ensemble, writing idiomatically and correctly for transposing instruments?
Arrange music for small ensembles, writing idiomatic parts within instrument ranges and notating transposing instruments correctly
How do I identify chords, intervals, cadences and errors by ear and transcribe what I hear accurately in the aural exam?
Identify intervals, chords, cadences, modulations and errors by ear, and transcribe heard music accurately as part of aural skills
How do I compose and arrange music that uses melody, harmony, texture and form effectively and meets the brief in the composition portfolio and written exam?
Compose and arrange music using melodic, harmonic, rhythmic, textural and structural techniques appropriate to a chosen style and brief
How do I prepare a composition portfolio for the practical examination so it shows craft, originality and stylistic control?
Prepare a composition portfolio demonstrating craft, originality, structure and stylistic understanding for the practical examination
How do I recognise and use musical forms and structural devices to organise a composition and analyse a work?
Identify and apply musical forms and structural devices such as binary, ternary, rondo, theme and variations and verse-chorus
How do I harmonise a given melody with appropriate chords and smooth voice leading in the composing and arranging section?
Harmonise a melody using appropriate chords, cadences and voice-leading conventions as part of composing and arranging
How do I move beyond accurate notes to a musically interpreted, stylistically convincing performance in the practical exam?
Demonstrate musical interpretation and stylistic understanding through phrasing, expression and idiomatic performance choices
How do I write a convincing melody and develop a motif so a short composition has shape and unity?
Compose and develop melodic material using motifs, phrase structure and development techniques as part of composing and arranging
How do I understand and discuss music technology and production as a driver of innovation in contemporary music?
Explain how music technology and production techniques have driven innovation and shaped contemporary musical styles
How do I prepare and deliver a performance or production that demonstrates technical control, musical interpretation and stylistic understanding in the practical exam?
Prepare and present a performance or production demonstrating technical accuracy, musical interpretation, stylistic understanding and stagecraft