SENTENCE STEMS

Use these sentence stems to assist you in writing about the different elements of music
effect the character of the piece.
1. Character/Emotion

Sentence Stem:
This piece/excerpt made me feel…………………….
This piece/excerpt made me think of……………………….
What I found interesting about this piece was……………………………………………..

2. Tempo

Sentence Stem One:

The initial tempo of this piece excerpt is…………………

Sentence Stem Two

The tempo is stable throughout the piece/excerpt. Which helps maintain/enhance the
…………………….. character.
The tempo changes throughout the piece/excerpt, these changes occur……………………..
This causes……………………………………………….. character to become
more……………………………….
The tempo of the piece/excerpt isn’t well defined, this
causes……………………………………………….. effect on the character.

3. Dynamics

The overall dynamic range of the piece/excerpt is……………………………………………. This

effects the character by……………………………………………….
The use of terrace dynamics causes the character to…………………………….
The dynamics are used to outline the structure of the piece/excerpt. The dynamics
change……………………………… causing the character to become more………………………..
The dynamics are wave like creating a ………………………………… character
The sudden dynamic changes create a ………………………………….. character
The dynamic changes follow the changes in instrumentation, this creates a
……………………………………………….

4. Tone Colour/Timbre

The overall one colours used in this piece/excerpt are *complimentary/contrasting.

The timbre of the flute is ………………………………… this helps to create a
…………………………character. This is contrasted/complimented by the timbre of the
……………………………………….. enhancing the character of the piece/excerpt.
 5. Blend and Balance of Instruments
The relationship between the melody and the accompaniment is……………………………….
This causes………………………..
The balance of instruments is ………………………………..this is because of the
complimentary/contrasting timbres used.
The balance of the instruments is effect by the ………………… articulation used in the
…………………… This makes it ………………… in the mix of instruments.
The changes in the dynamics of the ……………………….. causes it to become………………… in
the mix. This creates a more …………………….. character.

6. Articulation/Phrasing
The use of …………………………………… articulation in the *instrument creates a
…………………………… character.
The way the notes finish is ………………………………………. This
causes……………………………………………………….
The phrases of this piece/excerpt are………………………………………… this helps to enhance
the ………………….character

7. Performers use of instrument techniques

The way the instrument uses vibrato on ……………………………….. helps to
………………………………..
The way the instrument uses embellishments at …………………………… helps to………………….
The use of bends in the guitar helps to express a more……………………….. character