Does anybody know about ' rhythm to words' on theory grade 4 and ' melody to words' on theory grade 5?
The maximum points achievable are 10/10 on grade 4 and 15/15 on grade 5. What should I write to get full marks? If I write just the easiest (simplest) way i.e. by using a majority of crotchets all the way with a few minims thrown in, will I still get high score so long as I am correct with the syllables and strong accents and so on? I would really appreciate it if someone could advise me as to what I should do to get the highest possible score on these questions?
Thank you so much!
Aya

Having done grade 4 and 5 about 6/7 years ago i may be a little out of touch, but the basic thing is to imagine you are saying the words, then write the natural rythm of speech as closely as poss. As long as it doesnt sound daft it will be fine! to check, say it back to yourself afterwards, in the rhythm you have written, and if it is very difficult to fit in or sounds stupid u know it could be improved!

Hi Aya

I did grade 4 in November and got full marks for that question. As I recall, I kept the rhythm very simple, nothing more complicated than a quaver! (I'd tried more complex rhythms during the practice tests but decided playing safe would be best - and it worked!)

I'm currently preparing for grade 5 and hope the same will be true for that - and that involves, as tbjhilton has said, following the natural rhythm of the words to a large extent. I've decided that if it's a verse I don't much care for, I'll write for an instrument instead, then at least you have the opening bars to use/modify/repeat etc...

Jen

I got 13 out of 15 on the compostition for grade 5. As long as the rhythm/melody fits the words then you will get a good grade.

Thank you all for the advice you have given me.
Jen can you give me a bit more information please? Do you have the Eric Taylor book called "Music Theory in Practice 'Grade 4 and Grade 5? If so could you take a look at Page 30 and 31 as there are some example rhythms. Do you mean that you used something similar to Version 1 in your exam? The book says that you can change this into a more interesting rhythm like the examples in Versions 2 -6. Did you change even a bit of the basic rhythm in order to score full marks on this section? If so which Version resembles closely what you wrote in the examination? From the book I guessed the latter versions would enable me to get the highest score but from what you said it sounds like this isn't the case. Thanks again for all of your input and I look forward to your reply.

Thanks

Aya