Dictation of Familiar Major Triad Excerpts Theory Things   William Wieland
Do your own work.
  1. Without producing a sound, hear one of the following excerpts in your head. Choose one which challenges you but does not completely frustrate you. They are roughly ordered from easiest to hardest.
  2. On a blank sheet of paper, write the title and dictate the number of pitches indicated using numbers or syllables.
  3. Next, dictate the rhythm above the numbers or syllables and include a time signature and barlines.
(If possible, replace 2. and 3. with, "Transcribe the entire melody onto a staff using an appropriate time signature and a key signature of your choice.")

Kum Ba Yah — first 5 notes
Marine Hymn (From the Halls of Montezuma) — first 9 notes
National Anthem (Star Spangled Banner) — first 6 notes
O Canada — first 4 notes
Bach, 2-part Invention in F — first 6 notes
Mozart, Serenade K. 525 (Eine kleine Nachtmusik), mvt 1 — first 9 notes
Taps — All
Reveille — All
Any other bugle calls — All

Dictate at least five of these. If you have questions, please contact me. One day I will hear everyone sing some of these melodies from memory.


Grading Rubric:

S (satisfactory) — genuine attempt turned in on time
U (unsatisfactory) — late or didn't really try
0 — nothing

No E (exemplary) — too easy to cheat