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Preparing for the A Level Music Listening Exam can be an overwhelming task; however, with the right approach, you can approach it with confidence. This exam will test your aural perception, musical understanding, and ability to connect different musical styles. Here are some tips that can help you ace your Listening Exam.
1. Familiarise Yourself with the Set Works
Knowledge of the set works is important. You will need to take time to listen to those pieces you will be examined on, which include major works from the Western classical tradition together with a representative selection of genres (depending on the board you are on). Note the musical features identifying each work, including
- Form: Know the form of each piece, whether sonata, symphony, concerto. (I always like to start with form, since it gives a useful overview of where things are.)
- Key areas: Note if the music modulates to keys other than the home key, since modulation often marks important musical events.
- Instrumentation: Recognise the instruments participating and their functions.
- Style and Context Learn the historical context and understand how it fits different styles.
2. Develop Aural Perception Skills
The aural perception implies an ability to hear and discern music elements. To improve this, consider the following:
- Practice Active Listening: When music is heard, try to recognise themes and harmonies, rhythms, and melodies. I like to start with MR MAD TTTT F: so Meter, Rhythm, Melody, Articulation, Dynamics, Texture, Tonality, Timbre, Tempo, Form
- Compare Performances: Listen to various performances of the same work. Notice the ways in which tempo, dynamics, and phrasing differ, and consider how this impacts on your perception of the music.
3. Study Compositional Techniques
Familiarise yourself with specific compositional techniques used by the composers in the set works. This involves being conversant with:
- Harmony and Texture: Describe chords and their progressions; textures – homophonic and polyphonic, and how these contribute to the overall texture.
- Melodic Techniques: Learn how different composers make use of motifs, sequences, and variations in their works.
4. Practice with Past Papers
Familiarise yourself with the format of the exam by working through past papers. This will give you an idea of the types of questions that may arise. Exact formats vary across examination boards but are generally divided into the three following sections:
- Section A: Compositional techniques and performance practice. Short and long-answer questions.
- Section B: Familiar works. Practise essay writing on the analysis of specific musical effects.
- Section C: Connecting different genres. Listen more broadly in order to widen the references you can make in your answers.
5. Engage with Broader Musical Contexts
Section C asks you to relate music within genres. So be prepared to discuss folk, jazz, and world music styles, as well as classical pieces. That means you should be listening to and analysing music other than your set works.
6. Make Use of Resources
Employ resources including:
- Listening Guides: The exam board sometimes provide their official guide to the set works. These are invaluable resources as you will learn about what they expect you to know.
- Analysis Videos: Many online platforms offer detailed breakdowns of compositions, which can enhance your understanding.
- Discussion Groups: Engaging with peers can provide new perspectives on musical analysis.
7. Time Management in the Exam
With the exam divided into three sections, managing your time effectively is crucial. Practice pacing yourself while answering questions. Allocate time to each section and stick to it, ensuring you cover all required content without rushing.
8. Stay Calm and Focused
On the day of your exam, keep calm and methodically work through each question. Take your time when reading the questions, and refer back to the music when necessary. Be confident in your preparation; your individual insights into the music will bring value to your answers.
Extra tip: some questions don’t actually require you to listen, so I tend to do them last!
Conclusion
Success in the A Level Music Listening Exam rests on a combination of sound preparation, active listening, and a deep understanding of the set works and musical contexts. If you follow the tips in this post and take a genuinely enthusiastic and diligent approach to your study, I’m sure you will be well-prepared to ace your exam. If you would like individual advice on your listening component, I provide individual A Level Music tuition for all exam boards, including AQA, Edexcel, Cambridge International, OCR, and many more. Please do not hesitate to get in touch at any time.
