Year 11 Assessment Task 1

Title: Methods of notating music

Aim: Demonstration of how pitch and duration can be notated in different methods and the role of improvisation and technology.

Methods of notation:
Standard notation (Violin)
Percussion notation (Drums)
Guitar tablature

Notation of pitch in Standard Notation (Violin)

Vibrato: In standard notation, and specifically on the violin, vibrato is used to change pitch by creating a pulsating effect. It is used to add dynamics to a piece of music and adds expression and emphasis to single notes. The use of vibrato on the violin can be perceived as an imitation of vocals. In addition, vibrato is added to music by the player often to create a emotional sound which helps in shaping and phrasing of a melody. To apply vibrato on a violin, you hold you finger on the fingerboard and slightly moving your finger or fingers forwards and backwards. Vibrato is heavily used especially in the Romantic era but some styles of music employ little to no use of vibrato. Vibrato can be tailored to different styles of music accordingly.

Pizzicato: Rather than using the bow, in pizzicato, the player plucks the string with the finger of the right hand. A player can increase the volume of the note that the string is producing by applying more force. Pizzicato is marked as pizz. Left hand pizzicato is marked by a+ below or above the note.

Notation of Duration in Standard Notation (Violin)

Tie: A curved line that joins two same notes of the same pitch means the notes