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Example Notational Exercises

Try some example Notational exercises to learn to write music down by ear.

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Red 1Answers:

Question 1

Write in the time signature and then beats of the bar, with quaver subdivisions, above the example stave below.

Question 2

When you are writing down rhythm there isn't time to draw the full notes.
i) Put a dot/Kodaly syllable each time you hear a note.
ii) Draw the actual rhythmic values

1x

Question 3

You will now hear a series of clips, each played twice. Write down whether they are ascending, descending, arch-shaped (rises then falls) or valley shaped (falls then rises).

1x

Question 4

Hum the following series of pitches.

1x

Question 5

You will now hear 4 questions on intervals, each will be played twice. Write down the interval heard (2nd, 3rd etc. or Minor 2nd, Major 3rd at higher levels).

1x

Question 6

Here is an exam-format dictation task. Listen to it 3-5 times with the aim of being to audiate (recreate in your head) the music from the missing bars. This question includes more options than in an exam. Complete the exam relevant task from the options below.

1x

Red 2Answers:

Question 1

Write in the time signature and then beats of the bar, with quaver subdivisions, above the example stave below.

Question 2

When you are writing down rhythm there isn't time to draw the full notes.
i) Put a dot/Kodaly syllable each time you hear a note.
ii) Draw the actual rhythmic values

1x

Question 3

You will now hear a series of clips, each played twice. Write down whether they are ascending, descending, arch-shaped (rises then falls) or valley shaped (falls then rises).

1x

Question 4

Hum the following series of pitches.

1x

Question 5

You will now hear 4 questions on intervals, each will be played twice. Write down the interval heard (2nd, 3rd etc. or Minor 2nd, Major 3rd at higher levels).

1x

Question 6

Here is an exam-format dictation task. Listen to it 3-5 times with the aim of being to audiate (recreate in your head) the music from the missing bars. This question includes more options than in an exam. Complete the exam relevant task from the options below.

1x

Red 3Answers:

Question 1

Write in the time signature and then beats of the bar, with quaver subdivisions, above the example stave below.

Question 2

When you are writing down rhythm there isn't time to draw the full notes.
i) Put a dot/Kodaly syllable each time you hear a note.
ii) Draw the actual rhythmic values

1x

Question 3

You will now hear a series of clips, each played twice. Write down whether they are ascending, descending, arch-shaped (rises then falls) or valley shaped (falls then rises).

1x

Question 4

Hum the following series of pitches.

1x

Question 5

You will now hear 4 questions on intervals, each will be played twice. Write down the interval heard (2nd, 3rd etc. or Minor 2nd, Major 3rd at higher levels).

1x

Question 6

Here is an exam-format dictation task. Listen to it 3-5 times with the aim of being to audiate (recreate in your head) the music from the missing bars. This question includes more options than in an exam. Complete the exam relevant task from the options below.

1x

Red 4Answers:

Question 1

Write in the time signature and then beats of the bar, with quaver subdivisions, above the example stave below.

Question 2

When you are writing down rhythm there isn't time to draw the full notes.
i) Put a dot/Kodaly syllable each time you hear a note.
ii) Draw the actual rhythmic values

1x

Question 3

You will now hear a series of clips, each played twice. Write down whether they are ascending, descending, arch-shaped (rises then falls) or valley shaped (falls then rises).

1x

Question 4

Hum the following series of pitches.

1x

Question 5

You will now hear 4 questions on intervals, each will be played twice. Write down the interval heard (2nd, 3rd etc. or Minor 2nd, Major 3rd at higher levels).

1x

Question 6

Here is an exam-format dictation task. Listen to it 3-5 times with the aim of being to audiate (recreate in your head) the music from the missing bars. This question includes more options than in an exam. Complete the exam relevant task from the options below.

1x

Red 5Answers:

Question 1

Write in the time signature and then beats of the bar, with quaver subdivisions, above the example stave below.

Question 2

When you are writing down rhythm there isn't time to draw the full notes.
i) Put a dot/Kodaly syllable each time you hear a note.
ii) Draw the actual rhythmic values

1x

Question 3

You will now hear a series of clips, each played twice. Write down whether they are ascending, descending, arch-shaped (rises then falls) or valley shaped (falls then rises).

1x

Question 4

Hum the following series of pitches.

1x

Question 5

You will now hear 4 questions on intervals, each will be played twice. Write down the interval heard (2nd, 3rd etc. or Minor 2nd, Major 3rd at higher levels).

1x

Question 6

Here is an exam-format dictation task. Listen to it 3-5 times with the aim of being to audiate (recreate in your head) the music from the missing bars. This question includes more options than in an exam. Complete the exam relevant task from the options below.

1x