Instructions

Use your main instrument for this research and analysis task.

Research how your instrument has been used in Australia over the past 200 years. Create a list of genres, composers and famous musicians specialising in that instrument.

Answer and discuss the questions below in a journal or an online forum with your class.

  • Make a list of instrument combinations / ensembles that are common for your instrument.
  • What musical features and expressive techniques are well-suited to your instrument?
  • Which musical techniques are difficult on your instrument?
  • Use websites and YouTube to make a list of 15-25 expressive and extended techniques that are possible on your instrument.

Make a list of 10 famous contemporary (current) performers of your instrument from any country.

Choose three of your performance pieces

  • Analyse all six concepts of music for all three pieces (including chord progressions, use of harmony, form, recurring rhythms, description of melody, changing textures, sound sources, etc).
  • Compare three different recordings of each piece, with a focus on tempo, interpretation, rubato, expression, dynamics and expressive techniques.
  • For what purposes is the music composed / performed?
  • What other artists / composers have similar features / elements?
  • Has the music influenced the music of others?
  • Describe any musical features that you could ‘borrow’ for your own compositions.

Keep your research together as part of a Music 1 portfolio. Include all of your experiments regarding composition in this portfolio.