Hey guys,
Does anyone have any tips on melodic dictation???
This is by far my weakest section across the paper and is often the cause of lost marks.
How does everyone practice it and what are some tips for on the day?
Thanks everyone
Melodic dictation is a nightmare
I'm not expert but here are some of the tips I use and how you could practice for tomorrow
For practice:
If you haven't already, practice being able to differentiate between intervals. A way to do this is to remember a song where the first interval of that song is the interval you're trying to remember. That way, when you hear the interval in the exam, you'll think something like: "Oh, that interval sounds like the beginning of the Australian anthem. It's a perfect fourth!"
Your practice doesn't have to be limited to past papers. Listen to any song or piece that you enjoy and try naming all the intervals between each note. This way it'll be more enjoyable than listening to the usually bland pieces they give in the exams
In the exam:
Different people always use different techniques. I always write down the rhythm first off so I have a framework before I work on my melody. My friend however, always writes the notes with small dots, before filling them in with the correct rhythm at the very end. It's up to you to figure out what you're more comfortable with.
I do suggest on the first one or two playings, try to remember the piece, so between playings and even after the section is finished, you can continue to work by listening to it in your mind.
Use all the interval work you did in your practice! Listen out and rememebr what songs match with what intervals, and remember that even if you screw up one interval, you wont be marked down if all your following intervals are correct, just shifted a little. One of my friends compares each note to the tonic, which also works, but I find more challenging. Again, up to you
Notate the easy notes first. Hear the tonic? Write it down. Not only will it guarantee you have some correct notation but also gives you more reference points for your other intervals.
In the end, it'll still be a nightmare, but I hope these tips help you to secure one or two or five more marks tomorrow