10

Complete the melody - Add performance directions

Tempo

You must add a starting tempo direction using the Italian tempo word for the appropriate pace.

By default use:

Adagio  -   for a slow piece

Andante  - for an easy comfortable pace

Allegro    - for an fast pace

Better still combine it with an Italian “mood” word appropriate to the mood of the piece

Allegro con brio   - for a fast major piece

Adagio e doloroso  perhaps for a slow minor piece

Find the opportunity to use a “rit.”  - an obvious point being at the V-I cadence that closes the melody

Dynamics

You must add  starting and closing dynamic directions   appropriate to the mood of the melody.

By default use:

Add a piano (p)  of forte (f) marking at the start and end of the piece according to how you feel the dynamic should be - there is no wrong or right answer about which dynamic level you pick ,  but you will lose marks if you fail to mark the dynamic at these points.

Also include  one or two crescendo (<) and/or  diminuendo (>) directions, but make sure they are consistent with your other stated dynamics.    

Well observed performance directions will gain you one or two extra marks. Make sure you give some tempo, dynamic and articulation directions.  If your melody is written for a stringed instrument, also add some stringed instrument directions.

Articulation

Find appropriate place to use one, some or all  of:-

•  Staccato markings
• Slurs
• Legato markings,
• Tenuto.    

Stringed Instrument Specifics

Use some the instrument specific directions you have learned to answer question 4.

For instance, a staccato passage could be marked “pizzicato” and the following  (legato/slurred) passage could be marked “con arco”.

If the melody starts on an up-beat - anacrusis - the note could be marked with an up-bow symbol followed by a down-bow symbol on the first beat of the next bar.