| Term 1 | The Ukulele | |
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| Students will look at chordophones, and – in particular – the ukulele, exploring its history and common uses. They will learn to play chords, develop strumming and picking techniques, and build rehearsal and performance skills. Composition: For their performances, students will arrange and adapt popular songs for the ukulele
Performance: Students will perform in small groups playing chords to accompany sung performances.
App: Students will learn the history of chordophones and the ukulele, and analyse their use in a wide range of musical extracts |
| Assessment: Group performance using ukulele and vocals | Key Words and Terms |
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| Term 2 | Song Writing | |
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| Students will explore approaches to pop and rock song writing, looking in particular at composing music for occasions. Covers melody, chord sequences, structure and lyric writing.
Composition: Students will build compositional skills including lyric writing and a study of melody and harmony. They will compose an original piece collaboratively.
Performance: Whole class performances and group deconstructions of popular songs.
App: Students will deconstruct and examine popular songs, and apply lessons learned in their own compositions. |
| Assessment: Original song composition | Key Words and Terms |
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| Term 3 | 20th Century Art Music | |
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| Students will study the evolution of 20th century art music and atonality, and it's impact on music history.
Composition: Students will compose and perform minimalist pieces, and use sequencing and audio manipulation software to produce original soundscapes
Performance: Small group and whole class performances of minimalist pieces.
App: Students will compare and evaluate various forms of experimental music,and analyse it's influence.
ICT: Audio recording and manipulation skills in Logic Pro |
| Assessment: Experimental soundscape composition | Key Words and Terms |
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| Term 4 | The Blues | |
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| A study of jazz and the blues, looking at its development, cultural context, and influence. Focus on the 12 bar blues structure and improvising in the blues scale.
Composition: 12 bar blues composition, including improvisation.
Performance: Students will develop keyboard and improvisational skills, and demonstrate these in paired performances.
App: Students will look into the cultural history of the Blues, and analyse how this is reflected in the music. |
| Assessment: Keyboard performance including improvisation | Key Words and Terms |
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| Term 5 | Music for Dance | |
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| Students will look at the history of music composed for dance, focusing particularly on modern dance music.
Composition: Modern dance composition using keyboards and sequencing software, focusing on suitability for purpose.
App: Students will compare music composed for dance from throughout the history, examining it's fitness for purpose and cultural context.
ICT: Synthesis and drum/ostinato programming in Logic Pro. |
| Assessment: Dance music composition using music technology | Key Words and Terms |
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| Term 6 | World Music: Caribbean | |
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| A look at the history of music from the West Indies, and how it has affected popular music of today. Focus on reggae and learning to play a popular song, including vocals, tune and chords.
Performance: In small groups students will perform arrangements of popular reggae songs using instruments of their choice.
App: Students will analyse reggae's influence on other musical styles, and be able to explain the construction of a song using
musical terminology. |
| Assessment: Reggae performances in bands | Key Words and Terms |
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