Music for Grade 3
1 **Musical Knowledge and Understanding**
1-1 **Key Signatures**
1-1 1 Recognize and write key signatures for C major, G major, F major, D major, and B flat major
1-1 2 Identify the number of sharps or flats in each key signature
1-1 3 Understand the relationship between key signatures and the Circle of Fifths
1-2 **Time Signatures**
1-2 1 Recognize and write time signatures: 24, 34, 44, 68
1-2 2 Understand the difference between simple and compound time signatures
1-2 3 Count and perform rhythms in different time signatures
1-3 **Intervals**
1-3 1 Identify and name intervals up to an octave
1-3 2 Recognize and write major, minor, perfect, augmented, and diminished intervals
1-3 3 Understand the relationship between intervals and scales
1-4 **Scales**
1-4 1 Play and recognize major scales in C, G, F, D, and B flat
1-4 2 Play and recognize minor scales in A, E, and D
1-4 3 Understand the structure of major and minor scales
1-5 **Chords**
1-5 1 Recognize and play major and minor triads
1-5 2 Understand the structure of major and minor triads
1-5 3 Recognize and play inversions of triads
1-6 **Sight-Reading**
1-6 1 Read and perform simple melodies in different keys
1-6 2 Recognize and perform rhythms in different time signatures
1-6 3 Identify and perform intervals and chords from sight
2 **Performance**
2-1 **Solo Performance**
2-1 1 Perform a memorized solo piece from the Grade 3 syllabus
2-1 2 Demonstrate accurate rhythm, pitch, and dynamics
2-1 3 Show expressive playing with appropriate phrasing and articulation
2-2 **Duet Performance**
2-2 1 Perform a duet with a partner from the Grade 3 syllabus
2-2 2 Demonstrate good ensemble skills, including balance and synchronization
2-2 3 Show sensitivity to dynamics and phrasing in a duet setting
2-3 **Technical Exercises**
2-3 1 Perform technical exercises to develop finger dexterity and accuracy
2-3 2 Demonstrate control over dynamics and articulation in technical exercises
2-3 3 Apply technical skills to solo and duet performances
3 **Listening and Appraisal**
3-1 **Listening Skills**
3-1 1 Identify and describe the main elements of a piece of music (e g , melody, harmony, rhythm, dynamics)
3-1 2 Recognize different musical styles and genres
3-1 3 Identify the key and time signature of a piece of music
3-2 **Appraisal Skills**
3-2 1 Evaluate the performance of a solo piece, focusing on accuracy, expression, and technical skill
3-2 2 Provide constructive feedback on a duet performance, considering ensemble skills and musicality
3-2 3 Reflect on personal performance and identify areas for improvement
4 **Composition**
4-1 **Simple Composition**
4-1 1 Compose a short melody in a given key and time signature
4-1 2 Incorporate simple rhythmic patterns and dynamics
4-1 3 Use intervals and chords to create harmonic structure
4-2 **Improvisation**
4-2 1 Improvise a short melody based on a given chord progression
4-2 2 Experiment with different rhythms and dynamics in improvisation
4-2 3 Apply technical skills to improvisation
5 **General Musicianship**
5-1 **Rhythmic Patterns**
5-1 1 Recognize and perform simple and compound rhythmic patterns
5-1 2 Understand the relationship between rhythm and meter
5-1 3 Apply rhythmic patterns to performance and composition
5-2 **Dynamics and Articulation**
5-2 1 Demonstrate a range of dynamics (e g , piano, forte, mezzo-piano, mezzo-forte)
5-2 2 Use different articulations (e g , legato, staccato, tenuto) to convey expression
5-2 3 Apply dynamics and articulation in performance and composition
5-3 **Phrasing and Interpretation**
5-3 1 Understand the concept of phrasing and its importance in musical expression
5-3 2 Apply phrasing to solo and duet performances
5-3 3 Interpret the musical structure of a piece to convey its meaning
Understanding Intervals: Major, Minor, Perfect, Augmented, and Diminished

Understanding Intervals: Major, Minor, Perfect, Augmented, and Diminished

Key Concepts

Intervals are the building blocks of music, representing the distance between two notes. Understanding intervals is crucial for reading, writing, and composing music. The five main types of intervals are Major, Minor, Perfect, Augmented, and Diminished.

Major Intervals

Major intervals are the largest of the diatonic intervals. They are typically found in major scales. For example, the interval from C to E is a Major 3rd because it spans four semitones (C, C#, D, D#, E).

Minor Intervals

Minor intervals are one semitone smaller than Major intervals. They are typically found in minor scales. For example, the interval from C to Eb is a Minor 3rd because it spans three semitones (C, C#, D, Eb).

Perfect Intervals

Perfect intervals are unaltered intervals that sound consonant and stable. They include Unison (1st), Perfect 4th, Perfect 5th, and Octave (8th). For example, the interval from C to G is a Perfect 5th because it spans seven semitones (C, C#, D, D#, E, F, F#, G).

Augmented Intervals

Augmented intervals are one semitone larger than Perfect or Major intervals. They sound tense and unstable. For example, the interval from C to G# is an Augmented 5th because it spans eight semitones (C, C#, D, D#, E, F, F#, G, G#).

Diminished Intervals

Diminished intervals are one semitone smaller than Perfect or Minor intervals. They also sound tense and unstable. For example, the interval from C to Gb is a Diminished 5th because it spans six semitones (C, C#, D, D#, E, F, Gb).

Examples and Analogies

Think of intervals as steps on a ladder. Major and Minor intervals are like regular steps, while Perfect intervals are like the rungs that hold the ladder together. Augmented and Diminished intervals are like steps that are either too high (Augmented) or too low (Diminished), making the climb more challenging.

Another analogy is to think of intervals as different types of bridges. Major and Minor intervals are like sturdy bridges that connect major and minor lands. Perfect intervals are like perfectly balanced bridges that connect stable points. Augmented and Diminished intervals are like bridges that are either too long (Augmented) or too short (Diminished), making the crossing more difficult.

Practical Application

To practice recognizing and writing intervals, start by identifying intervals in familiar songs. For example, the interval from C to E in "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" is a Major 3rd. Then, try writing your own melodies using different intervals to hear how they sound. This exercise will help you internalize the characteristics of each interval and improve your musical ear.