Song Writing
Until the end of term we will working on completing our own song looking at a different element and developing it in different ways.
Ensemble Performance.
For this unit of work we will be progressing through a series of perfomance pieces which are linked to key words in music. As you progress each piece adds a new instrument and new feature until the final piece which will require the use of all the practise rooms with drum kits and guitars. THIS UNIT HAS FUTURE GCSE STUDENTS IN MIND! THE KEY WORDS ARE GOING TO BE VERY USEFUL TO YOU NEXT YEAR!
All the piece are shown below. To progress onto the next piece you need to show that you can perform a piece and demonstrate the key musical elements listed below.
HOMEWORK: Each week one I will update this site to include a few questions about each genre and the key terminology we use for each piece. You then need to fill in the contact form under the piece and it will be sent in. It will make it much easier for me to know how much of the lesson content you understand and where you may need help. I will then reply to your email address with feedback on your work.
All the piece are shown below. To progress onto the next piece you need to show that you can perform a piece and demonstrate the key musical elements listed below.
HOMEWORK: Each week one I will update this site to include a few questions about each genre and the key terminology we use for each piece. You then need to fill in the contact form under the piece and it will be sent in. It will make it much easier for me to know how much of the lesson content you understand and where you may need help. I will then reply to your email address with feedback on your work.
Key terminology to start:
Tempo: This is the speed at which the piece is to be performed. At the start of each piece a ‘bpm’ is given as well as an Italian word, which gives a clues to the tempo. Bpm means Beats per minute, we use a metronome to work this out.
Dynamics: Each piece has some dynamics written on, this is the musical word for volume. Dynamics, like many things in music, are written in Italian. The table shows what they mean:
Italian word Abbreviation English meaning
Fortissimo ff Very Strong/loud
Forte f Strong/ loud
Mezzoforte mf Medium loud
Mezzopiano mp Medium soft/quiet
piano p Soft/quiet
pianissimo pp Very soft/quiet
Rhythm; each part has numbers and sometimes plus signs written above the notes, this shows you how to work out the rhythm. Count 1234 (or where there are plus signs “1-and-2-and-3-and-4-and “) then play the notes under the symbol or number it appears.
Melody: all the notes of the melodies are written below. What out for:
Octaves-this is when the same note name is used but the pitch (how high or low a note is) is different. The higher a note is on the page the higher the pitch is.
Sharps; the symbol for a sharp is # when you see this you play the black note the right of the note it is names after. It is slightly higher in pitch than the note it is named after
Flats; the symbol for a flat is b when you see this you play the black note to the left of the note it is named after. It is slightly lower in pitch than the note it is named after
Dynamics: Each piece has some dynamics written on, this is the musical word for volume. Dynamics, like many things in music, are written in Italian. The table shows what they mean:
Italian word Abbreviation English meaning
Fortissimo ff Very Strong/loud
Forte f Strong/ loud
Mezzoforte mf Medium loud
Mezzopiano mp Medium soft/quiet
piano p Soft/quiet
pianissimo pp Very soft/quiet
Rhythm; each part has numbers and sometimes plus signs written above the notes, this shows you how to work out the rhythm. Count 1234 (or where there are plus signs “1-and-2-and-3-and-4-and “) then play the notes under the symbol or number it appears.
Melody: all the notes of the melodies are written below. What out for:
Octaves-this is when the same note name is used but the pitch (how high or low a note is) is different. The higher a note is on the page the higher the pitch is.
Sharps; the symbol for a sharp is # when you see this you play the black note the right of the note it is names after. It is slightly higher in pitch than the note it is named after
Flats; the symbol for a flat is b when you see this you play the black note to the left of the note it is named after. It is slightly lower in pitch than the note it is named after