Bolero

Maurice Ravel

First listen

Listen once without writing. What do you notice?

Listen closely

1 PULSECan you tap the repeating beat?

Sentence stemThe beat is ___.

Vocabulary
  • steady
  • repeating
  • even
2 TIMBREWhich instrument plays the tune each time?

Sentence stemThe tune is played by ___.

Vocabulary
  • flute
  • clarinet
  • strings
  • brass
3 DYNAMICSWhat happens to the volume from the beginning to the end?

Sentence stemThe music gets ___.

Vocabulary
  • louder
  • quieter
  • very loud
4 PITCHDoes the tune stay low, high or move between both?

Sentence stemThe tune is ___.

Vocabulary
  • low
  • high
  • moving up and down
5 STRUCTUREWhat repeats while the instruments change?

Sentence stemThe ___ repeats.

Vocabulary
  • beat
  • tune
  • musical idea

How does this piece make you feel?

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

calmexcitedhopefulcuriousjoyfulpowerfulpeacefultensedreamybravethoughtfulenergeticmysteriouscomfortedrestlessproudsadsurprisedupliftedfocused

Music through time

1928 · 20th-century orchestral

Explore the full timeline →
  1. Medieval500–1400
  2. Baroque1600–1750
  3. Classical1750–1820
  4. Romantic1820–1900
  5. 20th century1900–2000
  6. Contemporary2000–present