The Music 2 HSC written paper assesses students' musicology and aural skills. It is marked out of 35 and is worth 35% of the HSC assessment and runs for 1 hr 20 mins.

Components of the written paper

The written paper has four questions. Questions 1-3 may be divided into smaller subquestions. The paper includes musical recordings and scores. These scores are essential in answering each of the questions.

• There will be one melodic dictation in the written paper. This is usually part of Question 1 or Question 2.

• Question 4 is an extended response/essay and is worth 10 marks. Students must respond to a central question, referencing one to two pieces they have studied during the HSC course. Students will memorise and notate short musical quotes as part of their response to demonstrate understanding of the piece/s and to aid their analysis and overall thesis.

Question types

Directly-worded

Most questions will directly specify one (or more) of the six concepts to address.

A standard question may read:

• Outline TWO ways the composer uses duration in this excerpt.

• Explain how pitch is used in this excerpt. In your answer, make specific reference to the score.

• How is texture explored in bars 17–36? In your answer, make specific reference to the score.

Relationship

Examples of relationship questions include:

• Describe the musical relationships between the instruments.

• Describe the relationship between the trumpet, soprano and continuo.

Roles

A roles question is essentially a texture question. Identify the instruments/layers and describe what each is doing (melody, accompaniment, etc.).

Example of roles questions include:

• Outline the roles of each of the instruments featured in this excerpt.

• Outline the roles of the instruments that play the continuo part in this work.

Unity and contrast

Unity and contrast questions are structure questions in disguise.

• Unity (or balance) - What elements of the excerpt are repeated or stay similar throughout?

• Contrast (or variety) - What musical changes occur throughout the excerpt?

Examples of unity and contrast questions include:

• Explore how contrast is achieved in this excerpt.

• Explain how unity and contrast are achieved in this excerpt. In your answer, 4 make specific reference to the score.

• How is balance created in this excerpt? In your answer, make reference to the score. 

• Explain how variety is achieved in this excerpt. In your answer, make specific reference to the score.

Compositional devices

Compositional devices are ways in which motifs and musical ideas can be used and developed throughout a piece. By using a limited number of motifs and compositional devices, composers can establish an effective sense of unity and contrast in their works.

These questions may be worded as:

• Identify compositional devices used in this excerpt. In your answer, make specific reference to the score. 

Compositional devices include, but are not limited to:

• Retrograde

• Fragmentation

• Interpolation

• Extension

• Repetition

• Ostinato (or riff)

• Rhythmic drive

• Unison

• Rhythmic unison

• Call and response

• Rhythmic augmentation

• Rhythmic diminution

• Rhythmic alteration

• Hemiola

• Syncopation

• Polyrhythm

• Cross-rhythm

• Additive rhythm (or additive metre)

• Irrational rhythm

• Mixed metre

• Interval expansion (or interval augmentation)

• Interval contraction (or interval diminution)

• Pitch displacement

• Octave displacement

• Inversion

• Sequence

• Imitation

• Transposition

• Round or canon

• Countermelody

• Passing notes (and other non-chord tones)

• Dovetailing

• Hocketing

• Pedal point (or drone)

• Figured bass

• Basso continuo

• Alberti bass

• Parallel motion

• Contrary motion

• Similar motion

• Oblique motion

• Suspension

• Extended chords

• Cadence

• Tone cluster

• Modulation

• Reharmonisation

Development, treatment or use

Using the compositional devices listed above, describe the changes that occur throughout the excerpt. 

Examples of these questions include:

• Analyse the thematic development in this movement, with specific reference to the score.

• Describe the treatment of musical ideas in this excerpt. In your answer, make reference to the score.

• Describe the use of musical material in this excerpt. In your answer, make specific reference to the score.

Tension

An example of a Tension question is:

• Explain how tension is created in bars 1–16. In your answer, make specific reference to the score. 

Tension is created through the use of specific compositional devices, including:

• Fast tempo

• Increasing speed (accelerando)

• Short, fast note values

• High or ascending pitch

• Using high or extremely high registers

• Dissonance

• Pedal point (or drone)

• Loud or increasing dynamics

• Harsh tone colours

• Tremolo

• Increasing layers (thickening the texture)

• Short repetitions