Musical topics
General information
The following pages allow Higher and Advanced Higher students of National Qualifications in Scotland to cover in some detail the progress of styles of music as they developed through the centuries. It is possible to cross-check other styles of music of a particular period by accessing that period in Musical periods. At all times a musical concept required from Access 3 up to Advanced Higher can be checked and is exemplified in the A - Z dictionary of concepts.
Music topics can be studied as single pages. However, it is suggested that, where appropriate, topics are studied in chronological order so that there is a comprehensive understanding of all the topics.
Remember to read the text thoroughly before listening to the excerpt. Although the player can be seen on the screen as soon as the page appears, time must be allowed for the music to stream to the player so it is unlikely that the music will be available the instant the page loads.
To access a topic click on the link below or in the Navigation bar on the left of your screen.
| Chamber music - Learn about instrumental music for small groups and solo instruments |
| Concerto - Concerto in the Baroque, Classical and Romantic periods |
| Symphony - Classical, early Romantic and 20th century symphony |
| Choral music - Madrigal, Mass and oratorio |
| Form - Learn about the range of forms used in composition |
| Opera - Discover opera from the 17th to the 20th centuries |
| Song - Recitative and aria, Classical and ways of singing |
| Other orchestral music - Ballet, overtures and rhapsody |
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