Submitted by Gretchen Taylor, Illinois

Idea posted November 26, 2001

Here are the questions I have on my SQUILT form which I use with grades 4-8. They are arranged in squares (4X4) and numbered.

  1. What instruments do you hear?
  2. Is there a steady beat? Is it fast or slow?
  3. Do you hear rhythmic patterns that repeat? Describe them.
  4. Does the music have a singable melody? Do you hear another melody?
  5. Do you think you have heard this music before? Where?
  6. Do you hear a variety of dynamic levels or is it all the same volume?
  7. If this music was used in a movie, what would be happening in the scene?
  8. Is there a lot going on at once? Is the music "busy"?
  9. If you wanted to buy this recording, in which aisle of the music store would you look?
  10. Have you heard music similar to this piece before? How was it similar?
  11. If you were going to use this music for a commercial, what product would you be selling? Why?
  12. Does this music make you think of a particular country or culture?
  13. What does this music make you want to do? Dance? March? Float? Sleep? Cry? Run? Etc.?
  14. If you were hearing this music at a concert, how many people do you think would be on stage performing?
  15. What color would best describe this music?
  16. Does the mood of this music stay the same or does it change?