YEAR 9 UNITS of STUDY
Unit 1 - Modes the series of scales which preceded major and minor scales/tonalities
A general background to modes will be given as to when modes were used and how they have re-emerged in the 20th century. All pupils will learn the difference between major, minor and modal scales. Modes are incorporated into a large number of styles and this unit will concentrate on classical, jazz, folk and pop music, encompassing a number of activities within the three areas of listening, performing and composing, along with some improvising. The unit deliberately runs into the next unit of………..
Unit 2 – Arrangements putting your own identity onto a performance of an existing piece
Arranging is all about taking a piece of music and ‘re-mixing’ it using original ideas. In this unit pupils will take an existing song, perform the first verse as per the sheet music then add their own features into the second verse. The process will then be repeated for the popular song, and they can extend their arrangement by adding an intro and an outro to the performance.
Unit 3 - Reggae a style of music which emerged from Jamaica
Pupils will understand the characteristic features of Reggae through listening to famous artists including Bob Marley. These features are: bass riffs, complicated drum patterns, chords emphasising the weaker beats, a limited number of chords and lyrics often relating to apartheid. They will perform and compose bass riffs with chords and finally perform a reggae piece – possibly as a whole class. For this unit pupils will be able to access a bass guitar for the riff.
Unit 4 - Rap ‘rhythm and poetry’ -a style that emerged from the New York streets in the 1980’s
Whilst rapping along with their favourite Rap artist can be fun, the art of performing your own words to a rhythm is more challenging. Having listened
carefully to performances of Rap, pupils choose a topic, write a poem on it and then begin a performance using a working word-rhythm. The keyboard can be a good accompanying tool, for their performance, as it can provide a basic beat. It is important that they focus on the ‘metre’, (beats in a bar) in this unit in order for it to be successful.
Unit 5 - Ensemble the importance of performing as part of a group
Throughout years 7, 8 and 9 pupils will be engaged in performing in groups and the skill of being able to hold your own part, whilst others are performing
separate parts, is all important in this unit. This skill is essential for any group: Rock Bands, Orchestras, even duets and some pupils will have to work hard to be successful in this unit. They can build on all of their performing experience and focus on producing a successful performance through individual practice, careful listening and awareness of others. The pupils will use classroom instruments but there is scope to use other instruments as well.
Unit 6 – Presentation a music project, of their own choice, presented on Power Point
The final unit for Key Stage 3 is about the pupils expressing their own musical interest through the use of a Power Point. This could be done on their
own or in groups and could be about a favourite group, solo artist, festival, composer etc... For the presentation they will need to collect information from
the internet, CD sleeves, magazines, and the like, and play a clip of music appropriate to their chosen topic. Other ideas could be incorporated e.g. a quiz or some such class involvement to add variety. Their grade will reflect the content of the presentation, their organisation and the professionalism of their delivery.
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Unit 1 - Modes the series of scales which preceded major and minor scales/tonalities
A general background to modes will be given as to when modes were used and how they have re-emerged in the 20th century. All pupils will learn the difference between major, minor and modal scales. Modes are incorporated into a large number of styles and this unit will concentrate on classical, jazz, folk and pop music, encompassing a number of activities within the three areas of listening, performing and composing, along with some improvising. The unit deliberately runs into the next unit of………..
Unit 2 – Arrangements putting your own identity onto a performance of an existing piece
Arranging is all about taking a piece of music and ‘re-mixing’ it using original ideas. In this unit pupils will take an existing song, perform the first verse as per the sheet music then add their own features into the second verse. The process will then be repeated for the popular song, and they can extend their arrangement by adding an intro and an outro to the performance.
Unit 3 - Reggae a style of music which emerged from Jamaica
Pupils will understand the characteristic features of Reggae through listening to famous artists including Bob Marley. These features are: bass riffs, complicated drum patterns, chords emphasising the weaker beats, a limited number of chords and lyrics often relating to apartheid. They will perform and compose bass riffs with chords and finally perform a reggae piece – possibly as a whole class. For this unit pupils will be able to access a bass guitar for the riff.
Unit 4 - Rap ‘rhythm and poetry’ -a style that emerged from the New York streets in the 1980’s
Whilst rapping along with their favourite Rap artist can be fun, the art of performing your own words to a rhythm is more challenging. Having listened
carefully to performances of Rap, pupils choose a topic, write a poem on it and then begin a performance using a working word-rhythm. The keyboard can be a good accompanying tool, for their performance, as it can provide a basic beat. It is important that they focus on the ‘metre’, (beats in a bar) in this unit in order for it to be successful.
Unit 5 - Ensemble the importance of performing as part of a group
Throughout years 7, 8 and 9 pupils will be engaged in performing in groups and the skill of being able to hold your own part, whilst others are performing
separate parts, is all important in this unit. This skill is essential for any group: Rock Bands, Orchestras, even duets and some pupils will have to work hard to be successful in this unit. They can build on all of their performing experience and focus on producing a successful performance through individual practice, careful listening and awareness of others. The pupils will use classroom instruments but there is scope to use other instruments as well.
Unit 6 – Presentation a music project, of their own choice, presented on Power Point
The final unit for Key Stage 3 is about the pupils expressing their own musical interest through the use of a Power Point. This could be done on their
own or in groups and could be about a favourite group, solo artist, festival, composer etc... For the presentation they will need to collect information from
the internet, CD sleeves, magazines, and the like, and play a clip of music appropriate to their chosen topic. Other ideas could be incorporated e.g. a quiz or some such class involvement to add variety. Their grade will reflect the content of the presentation, their organisation and the professionalism of their delivery.
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