Complete Guide: H1 Leaving Cert Music

It’s a 20,000 words, 93 page download that comes to your email.

Written by our special contributor: Shannon Boyle, LC Music teacher

Set A is examinable in 2025 and then it’s back to Set B in 2026.

Set A (2025) €29
 

Set B (2026) €29 
 

Contents

Introduction to Leaving Cert Music

General Theory

Sight Reading

Reading Notation

Scales

Keys

Ingredients of Music

Texture

Form

Musical Techniques

Eras

Performance/Practical Exam

Technology Options

Solo/Group/SSOA Performance Tips

Solo Performance Tips

Group Performance Tips

Technology Tips

Marking Scheme Guidance

Unseen Test

Set Works (Set A only)

Set Work 1: Bach’s Cantata Jesu, der meine Seele

Background

Definitions

Overview of Cantata

Movement 1 Chorus

Overview

Points to note

Other features in the work

Analysis

Exam Questions

Movement 2 Aria Duet

Overview

Analysis

Exam Questions

Movement 3: Tenor Recitative

Overview

Points to note

Exam Questions

Movement 4: Tenor aria (flute obbligato)

Overview

Points to note

Analysis

Exam Questions

Movement 5: Bass Recitative

Overview

Points to note

Exam Questions

Movement 6: Bass Aria

Overview

Points to note

Analysis

Exam Questions

Movement 7: Chorale

Overview

Points to note

Comparative Grid for Movement 1 and 7

Exam Questions

Exam question tips in summary for entire wor

Set Work 2: Barry’s Piano Quartet

Background

Basics

Definitions

Performance Techniques

Compositional Techniques

Analysis

Summary of most commonly asked sections

Exam Topics

Set Work 3: Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody

Introduction to the work

Features of Queen’s style

Basics

Recording Techniques

Guitar techniques

Structure and Analysis

Important details in summary

Exam focus

Set Work 4: Tchaikovsky’s Romeo and Juliet

Definitions

Basics

Main themes

Analysis

Themes in focus – where they are appear/how they chang

Exam Focus

Set Works (Set B only)

Set Work 1: The Beatles: Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band

Background to the album

Note

Definitions

Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band – Song

Overview

Analysis

Exam Questions

She’s Leaving Home

Basics

Analysis

Exam Focus

When I’m 64

Basics

Analysis

Exam focus

Set Work 2: Seachanges by Raymond Deane

Background

Basics

Performance Techniques

Compositional Techniques

Analysis

Exam Topics

Set Work 3: Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 23 in A major

Movement One

Basics

Main themes

Structure and Analysis

Movement 2: Adagio

Basics

Themes

Structure

Movement Three: Allegro Assai

Basics

Main Themes

Exam Focus

Set Work 4: Berlioz: Symphonie Fantastique

Definitions

Movement 2: Un Ball

Basics

Main themes

Analysis

Movement 4: March Au Supplice: March to the Scaffold

Basics

Main themes

Analysis

Exam Focus

Question Five: Irish Traditional Music

Dance Tunes

Instrumentation

The Song Tradition

Fusion – Irish Traditional Music with other styles

Trad Essay

The Céilí Band

Further Points for Sean O Riada Essay

Further Points for: Fusion/Irish Group essay: Ceoltoiri Chualann

Further Points for Dance Tradition Essay

Points for Harp Essay

Further points for: Collectors Essay

Sean Nos Singing

Further Points for: Song Tradition

Regional Styles/Ornamentation

Changes in the Twentieth Century

Instruments

North America

Question 6: Aural Skills

Style and Genre

Musical Techniques

Glossary of Terms

Top Tips for Question 6 and Listening Paper

Melody Writing

Basics

Melody Structure

Development of the Opening

Variation

Sequence

Modulation

Sample Major Melody

Minor Key

Sample Minor Melody

Minor Melody in Focus

Upbeat

Tips

Deductions

Marking Scheme

Melody Checklist

Harmony Section

Basic Theory

Cadences

Bad Progressions to Avoid

Major Sample in Full

Commentary on Sample

Sample Answer (Minor)

Inversions

Bass notes

Consecutive Thirds

Marking Scheme

Harmony Tips in Summary