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Notational

Write music down by ear

150+ exercises in exam-format to provide students with extensive practice in this complex skill.

Components can be set alongside Elemental and Theoretical to develop competence gradually over time.

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All major exam boards · Works with

Google Classroom &

Microsoft Teams

Identifying Rhythm

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Identifying Melody

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Interval

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Notational components

All exam boards at GCSE and A Level require pupils to write music down, by ear, on a score. Developing this skill requires an enormous amount of practice of both the target skill, dictation, and the components, such as hearing intervals or identifying melodic shape.

ShapeIdentify the melodic shape

Rhythmic ValuesName the durations

Identifying MelodyMatch the score to the melody you hear

Rhythmic ValueName the duration

Rhythmic DeviceSyncopation, triplets or dotted rhythms

Identifying RhythmMatch the score to the rhythm you hear

Performing PitchSing or play the melody on the score

IntervalsIdentify consecutive leaps

Repeated NotesListen out for the use of repetition

Performing RhythmPlay the rhythm on the score

Working BackwardsRemember to use what comes after

Reference NoteUse important notes as a reference point

Identifying Rhythm (Kodaly)Match the score to the rhythm you hear

IntervalIdentify the leap

ShapeIdentify the melodic shape

Rhythmic ValuesName the durations

Identifying MelodyMatch the score to the melody you hear

Rhythmic ValueName the duration

Rhythmic DeviceSyncopation, triplets or dotted rhythms

Identifying RhythmMatch the score to the rhythm you hear

Performing PitchSing or play the melody on the score

IntervalsIdentify consecutive leaps

Repeated NotesListen out for the use of repetition

Performing RhythmPlay the rhythm on the score

Working BackwardsRemember to use what comes after

Reference NoteUse important notes as a reference point

Identifying Rhythm (Kodaly)Match the score to the rhythm you hear

IntervalIdentify the leap

ShapeIdentify the melodic shape

Rhythmic ValuesName the durations

Identifying MelodyMatch the score to the melody you hear

Rhythmic ValueName the duration

Rhythmic DeviceSyncopation, triplets or dotted rhythms

Identifying RhythmMatch the score to the rhythm you hear

Performing PitchSing or play the melody on the score

IntervalsIdentify consecutive leaps

Repeated NotesListen out for the use of repetition

Performing RhythmPlay the rhythm on the score

Working BackwardsRemember to use what comes after

Reference NoteUse important notes as a reference point

Identifying Rhythm (Kodaly)Match the score to the rhythm you hear

IntervalIdentify the leap

ShapeIdentify the melodic shape

Rhythmic ValuesName the durations

Identifying MelodyMatch the score to the melody you hear

Rhythmic ValueName the duration

Rhythmic DeviceSyncopation, triplets or dotted rhythms

Identifying RhythmMatch the score to the rhythm you hear

Performing PitchSing or play the melody on the score

IntervalsIdentify consecutive leaps

Repeated NotesListen out for the use of repetition

Performing RhythmPlay the rhythm on the score

Working BackwardsRemember to use what comes after

Reference NoteUse important notes as a reference point

Identifying Rhythm (Kodaly)Match the score to the rhythm you hear

IntervalIdentify the leap

Just a small selection from Notational's content library

Try a Notational components quiz

Here's an example Notational components quiz. Don't forget to turn your volume up!

Question 1 of 10

Try a Notational exercise

Here's an example Notational dictation exercise.

See more example Notational dictation exercises

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Notational's key features

Full screen exercises

Notational provides dictation exercises with music that is accompanied and worksheets that are in the exam format. We will provide enough exercises at every level that you never run out.

The Dictation Exercises page at question 6 of Red 1, with a missing rhythm and missing pitches to write down

Downloadable sheets

In public exams students need to write with pencil and paper. Notational provides downloadable worksheets for students to practise dictation in class without needing to be at screens.

A dictation exercise with its worksheet and answer downloads

Full screen components

Notational contains the components that support good dictation and these can all be set for homework. It is a precondition that students can reliably recognise melodic shape. This, among other components, can be practised here.

Performing Rhythm practice at each colour level, from Red to Green, plus Drumming

Example question

Notational includes pitch and rhythmic sight-reading. This can be set and marked as homework, with students responding by clapping or humming the target notes.

A Performing Rhythm question asking students to clap or tap the rhythm on the score

Recommendations

Once a quiz has been completed, the platform provides feedback on each question, the opportunity to review answers and recommendations on areas for further practice.

Quiz results showing accuracy per component and recommended practice

More learning for them, less marking for you

See how Elemental is helping students and teachers at hundreds of schools.

Increase student learning

Interactive QuizzesEmbedded ExplanationsFeedback & RecommendationsMusical HomeworkPaper Based ExercisesExam Board Alignment

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Reduce teacher workload

Reduce Preparation TimeAutomated Marking Scheduled HomeworkUsage and Performance DashboardsMusical CoverResults Emailed to You

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What teachers say

“It is a tremendous help to have dictation practice tasks ready and with audio, particularly useful for non piano playing teachers.”

Grace · Westminster City School

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One platform, any device

Elemental runs in any browser and as an app on phone, tablet and computer, with one login and everything in sync. Set work from your laptop, check progress on your phone, and let students practise wherever they are.

or any web browser
(nothing to install)

Sign in with your school Google or Microsoft account to import your classes and students from Google Classroom or Microsoft Teams, ready for homework, assessments and revision.

A set works revision quiz with full score in a web browser

A Theoretical keyboard question in the Elemental phone app

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