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Subjects · Leaving Certificate

Leaving Cert Music

What has come up on the Music papers (2016–2025), topic by topic, with step-by-step practice at Higher Level and Ordinary Level.

Higher Level Ordinary Level

Music, Higher Level(7 marks)

Three quick ones from the Music topics that come up most.

(a)In D major, using I, ii, IV, V and vi, which chords contain the melody note A?
  1. ii and IV
  2. I and V
  3. IV and vi
(b)Which chords make a plagal cadence?
  1. I to V
  2. V to I
  3. IV to I
(c)What is a sequence?
  1. A motif repeated at a higher or lower pitch
  2. Two melodies played together at the same time
  3. A motif played backwards, from last note to first
Show the answers

(a) I and V

(b) IV to I

(c) A motif repeated at a higher or lower pitch

Your turn: pick the answer for each one.

Higher Level

400 flash cards and 240 step-by-step drill questions at Higher Level.

What comes up

How many of the last 9 Music Higher Level papers asked each topic.

TopicAskedLast seenHow often
Cadences & approach chords banker9 of 92025
Keys, scales & triads banker9 of 92025
Terms, signs & directions banker9 of 92025
Traditional instruments & players banker9 of 92025
Dance tunes: types & rhythms banker9 of 92025
Songs, airs & sean-nós banker9 of 92025
Groups, fusion & modern music banker9 of 92025
Modulation & non-chord notes banker9 of 92025
Time, rhythm & metre banker9 of 92025
Bass notes & chords to a tune banker9 of 92025
Continuing a given opening banker9 of 92025
Dance rhythm, metre & form banker9 of 92025
Descant & chordal support banker9 of 92025
Melody & bass from given chords banker9 of 92025

More topics: Setting a given text, Instruments & playing techniques, Texture & accompaniment, 20th-century revival & céilí bands, Ornamentation & regional styles, Beatles: Sgt Pepper songs, Berlioz: Symphonie Fantastique, Collectors & preservation, Deane: Seachanges, Form, style & comparison, Irish music in North America, Melody & rhythm features, Mozart: Piano Concerto K488.

Try three

Setting a given text, 3 marks

A line of text begins with an unstressed word such as the. How should the melody begin?

  1. On the first beat of a full bar
  2. With a long held note on beat 1
  3. With an anacrusis (upbeat)
Show the answer

With an anacrusis (upbeat)

Putting the weak syllable on an upbeat lets the first stressed syllable land on beat 1, so the word stress stays natural.

Modulation & non-chord notes, 3 marks

A melody in a minor key most often modulates to which key?

  1. The key a tone lower
  2. Its relative major
  3. The key a semitone higher
Show the answer

Its relative major

The relative major shares the minor key's signature, so the move is smooth, e.g. E minor to G major. It is the most common modulation from a minor key.

Cadences & approach chords, 3 marks

A melody in F major modulates to C major at bar 8. Which chords make the perfect cadence there?

  1. G major to C major
  2. C major to F major
  3. F major to C major
Show the answer

G major to C major

In the new key, C major, V is G major and I is C major. C to F would be a perfect cadence back in F major, and F to C a plagal cadence in C.

Practise Music HL free

Ordinary Level

300 flash cards and 150 step-by-step drill questions at Ordinary Level.

What comes up

How many of the last 9 Music Ordinary Level papers asked each topic.

TopicAskedLast seenHow often
Cadences & approach chords banker9 of 92025
Keys, scales & triads banker9 of 92025
Terms, signs & directions banker9 of 92025
Time, rhythm & metre banker9 of 92025
Bass notes & chords to a tune banker9 of 92025
Continuing a given opening banker9 of 92025
Dance rhythm, metre & form banker9 of 92025
Dance tunes: types & rhythms banker9 of 92025
Descant & chordal support banker9 of 92025
Instruments & playing techniques banker9 of 92025
Melody & bass from given chords banker9 of 92025
Setting a given text banker9 of 92025
Traditional instruments & players banker9 of 92025
Songs, airs & sean-nós most years8 of 92025

More topics: Groups, fusion & modern music, Melody & rhythm features, Texture & accompaniment, Beatles: Sgt Pepper songs, Berlioz: Symphonie Fantastique, Deane: Seachanges, Form, style & comparison, Mozart: Piano Concerto K488.

Try three

Time, rhythm & metre, 3 marks

A bar of 2/4 has a dotted crotchet. Which note completes it?

  1. A crotchet
  2. A minim
  3. A quaver
Show the answer

A quaver

A bar of 2/4 has two beats. A dotted crotchet is one and a half beats, so half a beat is missing. A quaver is half a beat.

Cadences & approach chords, 3 marks

A cadence moves from chord ii to chord V. Which cadence is it?

  1. Interrupted
  2. Imperfect
  3. Perfect
Show the answer

Imperfect

Any cadence that ends on chord V is imperfect, whatever chord comes first. I-V, ii-V and IV-V are all imperfect cadences.

Bass notes & chords to a tune, 3 marks

A melody note fits three chords. How should you choose one?

  1. Pick the one that leads well to the next chord
  2. Always pick the first chord in the bank
  3. Pick the one with the most sharps
Show the answer

Pick the one that leads well to the next chord

Marks go for chords that fit the note and make a good progression. Choose the chord that moves well into the next one, and avoid repeating the same chord.

Practise Music OL free

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