101 Sight Singing Assignment

Regular Meter, Irregular Division

Conduct this excerpt from Ravel’s Piano Trio in a “big 3,” i.e. subdivide each conducted beat into eighth notes: 3+3+2. (The first beat goes downwards, the second away from your body, and the third upwards, just as you would conduct in regular triple meter.) Also, take care over the sixth and seventh scale degrees, since this excerpt is in Dorian mode.

Maurice Ravel, Piano Trio (1914), I. Modéré 

Meter Change

This excerpt from a Brahms lied combines modulation and meter change. At the asterisk in m.3, modulate to B-flat major. At the asterisk in m. 5, modulate to D.

Johannes Brahms, 7 Lieder Op. 95, I. Das Mädchen  

Irregular (Asymmetrical) Meter

In this excerpt from Tchaikovsky’s Pathétique symphony, conduct in a “big 2” (subdivision 2+3). At the asterisk, modulate to F minor.

Pyotr Ilich Tchaikovsky, Symphony No. 6 (Pathétique), II. Allegro con grazia 

In this example by Chausson, conduct in a “big 2” (subdivision 3+2).

Ernest Chausson, 7 Mélodies Op. 2, VII. Le colibri

This final excerpt, from a cantata by Edward Elgar, is in 7/4 time. Conduct in a “big 3” (subdivision 3+2+2).

 Edward Elgar, Caractacus Op. 35, “Lament”