English Folk Song Suite

Ralph Vaughan Williams

First listen

Listen once without writing. What do you notice?

Listen closely

1 PITCHIs the melody mainly high, low or mixed?

Sentence stemThe melody is mainly ___.

Vocabulary
  • high
  • low
  • mixed
  • rising
  • falling
2 TIMBREWhich instrument family plays the melody?

Sentence stemThe melody is played by ___.

Vocabulary
  • strings
  • woodwind
  • brass
  • percussion
3 STRUCTUREWhat happens when the melody returns?

Sentence stemWhen it returns, the melody sounds ___.

Vocabulary
  • the same
  • louder
  • softer
  • faster
  • slower
4 DYNAMICSWhere does the music become louder or softer?

Sentence stemThe music becomes ___ when ___.

Vocabulary
  • louder
  • softer
  • gradually
  • suddenly
5 ARTICULATIONDo the main tunes sound smooth, detached or strongly accented?

Sentence stemThe tune sounds ___ because the notes are ___.

Vocabulary
  • smooth
  • detached
  • flowing
  • accented

How does this piece make you feel?

There is no right or wrong answer. Which words match your response?

calmexcitedhopefulcuriousjoyfulpowerfulpeacefultensedreamybravethoughtfulenergeticmysteriouscomfortedrestlessproudsadsurprisedupliftedfocused

Music through time

1923 · English orchestral & folk

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