The document explains the concept of musical stimuli used in compositions for the CSEC music examination, detailing the two main categories: musical and extra-musical stimuli. It describes musical stimuli as fundamental elements like rhythmic and melodic motives or harmonic progressions, while extra-musical stimuli are inspiration sources from outside music, such as art and literature. Teachers are encouraged to create activities and assessments based on this knowledge.

1. Stimuli in Musical
Composition
What you need to know for the CSEC Music Examination

2. Objectives
▪ Explain musical stimuli, without assistance
▪ Differentiate between various types of Stimuli
▪ Use stimuli in short compositions

3. What is Stimuli
Material that is presented to a composer, that they can use as the starting
point for musical compositions. For example, a composer may be provided
with a 4-bar rhythmic phrase which they can then use to compose a larger
piece of music.

4. Types of Stimuli in Music
Stimuli usually falls into 2 main Categories:
• Musical
• Extra-Musical

5. Musical Stimuli
Musical Stimuli are musical elements that are used as the basis for creating
musical compositions. Musical Stimuli can take the form of: Rhythmic and
Melodic Motives and Harmonic Progressions.

6. Rhythmic Motive Stimuli
A Rhythmic Motive is a short extract using various note durations, that a
composer uses as the basis of a musical composition. An example of this is
shown below:
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA-NC

7. Melodic Motive Stimuli
A Melodic Motive is a short extract using various pitches and note durations,
that a composer uses as the basis of a musical composition. An example of
this is shown below:
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY

8. Harmonic Progression Stimuli
A Harmonic Progression is a series of chords that are combined to form a
musical pattern. An example of this is shown below:

9. Harmonic Progression Stimuli
A Harmonic Progression is a series of chords that are combined to form a
musical pattern. This pattern is the foundation upon which a melody can
then be constructed. An example of this is shown below:

10. Extra-Musical Stimuli
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA-NC

11. Extra-Musical Stimuli
Extra-Musical Stimuli are sources of inspiration that are external to music.
This includes: visual arts, literary works, nature scenes. For instance, a
composer can use the lyrics of a poem of a painting as the basis of
composing a new piece.

12. Activities
Teacher can create activities and assessments for this tutorial