MCO Final Exam Questions (and Answers)

Sections A and B refer to the song "Hey Jude", which may be found on p. 151 of the textbook. In Section A of the exam, we will use a "rhythm code" version of the song: q | h e e e e|, etc.   In this system, q is a quarter note, h is a half note, e is an eighth note, s is a sixteenth note, and er is an eighth rest, etc.
You would answerthe question by placing the counting numbers  under the rhythm code.  So, for example, if a measure has 2 quarter notes and a half note, the rhythm code and the counting  numbers would be:
Example of rhythm code and counting numbers:
|h qq|
|1 34|

Song: "Hey Jude"

Here is "Hey Jude" in the Rhythm Code version:

4/4 q | h e e e e | h qr e e | q q e e e e | e ss h er e |

|eqe ses sse | h e e e e | e e er e e e e e | e e h ||

A. Counting Numbers

Place the counting numbers beneath the Rhythm Code version of "Hey Jude"

Answer:    4/4 q | h e e e e | h qr e e | q q e e e e | e ss h er e |
               4   1 3 & 4 &   1 (3)4 &   1 2 3 & 4 &   1 &a 2 (4)& 

|eqe ses sse | h e e e e | e e er e e e e e | e e h ||
 1&& 3ea 4e&   1 3 & 4 &   1 & (2)& 3 & 4 &   1 & 2
B. Score Reading: refer to the score of the song which may be found on p. 151 of the textbook.

1. What does the "mf" mean, which is right at the beginning of the song "Hey Jude"?

Answer mezzo forte (medium loud)

2. What does the "Slowly" mean , which is right at the beginning of the song?

Answer: Perform the song with a slow tempo.

3. What do the F, C, C7, C7sus, F, and Bb symbols mean in the score? Make sure you include spellings in your definition.

Answer: There are chord symbols, indicating which chords would be appropriate to accompany the song on a chording instrument. The F means F major, etc. C. Chords:

1. Spell a C Major chord.

Answer: C,E,G

2. Spell a D Minor chord.

Answer: D,F,A

D. Syncopation:

1. Describe syncopation.

Answer: Syncopation is the displacement of rhythmic accents, and it occurs when the melody has accents on the off beats (on &) while the bass and chords continue on the beat.

E. Score Reading: refer to the score of the song "I Went Up to Agrafa" which may be found on p. 234 of the textbook.

1. What does the "Vehemently" mean, which is right at the beginning of the song "I Went Up to Agrafa"?

Answer: "Vehemently" means to play the song vehemently, i.e. with very conviction, agressiveness, and strength.

2. What does the :||  mean , which is right at the end of the second line, and at the end of the song?

Answer: The :|| is a repeat sign, and it indicates that the music in the first eight bars is to be repeated (i.e. repeat all of the notes going back to the initial repeat sign (||:).

F. Seconds and Thirds: Spelling Intervals

1. What note is a minor third above D? ______

Answer: F

2. What note is a major third above E flat? ______

Answer: G

3. What note is a minor third above F? ______

Answer: A flat

4. What note is a major third above C? ______

Answer: E

G. Seconds and Thirds: Identifying Intervals

1. What is the interval between the notes C and C sharp?

a. minor second

b. major second

c. minor third

d. major third

e. other

Answer: e.) other (since the interval between C and C sharp is a half step)

2. What is the interval between D and F?

a. minor second

b. major second

c. minor third

d. major third

e. other

Answer: c.) minor third

3. What is the interval between C sharp and E?

a. minor second

b. major second

c. minor third

d. major third

e. other

Answer: c.) minor third

4. What is the interval between D and F sharp?

a. minor second

b. major second

c. minor third

d. major third

e. other

Answer: d.) major third

H. Definitions

Define the following terms. When possible, also give examples and their definitions.

1. Time signature

Answer: The time signature consists of two numbers which designate the meter of a song.  The top number, e.g. "4" in "4/4" time, indicates that there are 4 beats in a measure, and the bottom number, e.g. "4" in "4/4" time, indicates that the quarter note will receive one beat.

2. Tempo indications

Answer: Tempo indications are words which are included in a score which tell you what tempo the song is in.  E.g., the tempo indication of "Presto" is Italian for "quick" or "fast".  Note: tempo indications are often in Italian.

3. "Road Signs" in a musical score

Answer: "Road Signs" in a musical score are symbols which indicate that you repeat sections of a song (as in a repeat sign (:||), or that you jump from the end of a song back to the beginning (da capo or d.c.), or that you jump back to a certain place in the song (dal segno) which is marked by a special symbol (the Segno sign).

4. Syncopation

Answer: Syncopation is the effect which is created when notes which are supposed to fall in a certain place surprise the ear and fall somewhere else. In other words, it is a displacement of rhythmic accents.  When the accent falls off the beat, or if there is silence on the beat, then syncopation occurs.

5. Key Signature

Answer: The key signature tells you what key a song is in.  E.g., in the key of G Major, the key signature is 1 sharp.

6. Polyphonic

Refers to a "texture" of music where several strands of melody are performed simultaneously.

7. Decay

Answer: Decay refers to the way in which a sound stops.  E.g., a drum as a short decay, while a gong has a long decay.
 


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