Grieg's "Peer Gynt" Melodic Dictation Theory Things   William Wieland
The first melody of Grieg's Peer Gynt Suite No. 1, Op. 46 is famous. After you complete this assignment, you will be familiar with all four movements. Please do your own work.

On a blank sheet of paper, dictate the opening melody of each movement using numbers or syllables. Dictate the rhythm above the numbers or syllables and include a time signature and barlines.

The movements gradually get harder. Do at least the first one.
  1. Morning Mood — The opening flute melody (2 dozen notes) is pentatonic, i.e. it only uses 1-2-3-5-6. Ignore the ornament. The rhythm is mostly quarter notes.
  2. Ase's Death — is in minor and begins with 5-1 or sol-do. Dictate 14 notes. The melody is not difficult, but the harmony is deceptive.
  3. Anitra's Dance — is also in minor and begins with 5-1 or sol-do. After a short vamp, dictate 16 notes. (Ignore the trills.)
  4. In the Hall of the Mountain King — is in minor. Write the notes on staff paper. Numbers or syllables are inadequate. The tune is in b minor, but features a chromatic sequence. Dictate 26 notes. The melody is first played by the contrabasses and is difficult to hear, but it is immediately repeated by the bassoons.

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