This suitable for all years above year 8 and firmly bases the style in its historical context, leading students to compare classical composers with contemporary ones using Ground Bass in similar and different ways. Designed so that students can input four simple tracks into any music composition software reproducing the Pachelbel Canon harmonic structure. Students are led to enter the notes again in a second section with suggested differences and are encouraged to progress to as many different versions they can produce. A brief appraisal and ‘pupil voice’ is included at the end to enable you to see how students dealt with the task.

“Thank you so much for this. I have only ever taught the old version and was panicking a bit about the new syllabus”. This is a Scheme of Work based on the two publications by CGP, namely ‘GCSE AQA Music for the Grade 9-1 exams - Complete Revision and Practice’ for class work and ‘GCSE Music for the Grade 9-1 Course - Exam Practice Work Book’ used for homework. Each book houses it own copy of the CD. The composition element does not have an extensive composition lesson-by-lesson scheme as most teachers like to use a workshop strategy, giving one-to-one help and advice.

A PDF format worksheet illustrating the origin and background to Rap music. A template us provided to create lyrics with or without a background beat in the classroom. This can be accompanied with a simple, but limited, patois dictionary (also available on my resource site) to support students. Brief level descriptors are provided to enable students to understand where they are in their learning and what they can do to improve. A simple feedback session provides information by students as to the difficulties they faced. The second page provides key words for the techniques used in DJ performance. This lesson can either start with a DJ illustration with the lyrics constructed afterwards or the lyrics tested out in partners or groups followed by a DJ beat with progressive additions to improve the piece.

A PDF format of composing medieval music with Garageband. A step-by-step guide to creating a simple medieval piece using Garageband (but can e simply adapted to include other common music software) producing different levels of complexity according to ability. Model the task on a Smartboard, if you have one, or illustrate on a practical basis. Using sheets like this limit the constant demands of help from students.

A complete Year 8 Scheme of Work for Music - National Curriculum with end of term milestone assessments. Complete lesson plans for the year, which include references to cross-curricular themes, PLTS, special needs provision, G&T and many other necessary provisions. Detailed enough to satisfy the most fussy of Ofsted inspectors!

Fed up of trying to spread yourself around your GCSE music composition class giving individual advice and trying to get around everyone?! If you have set your class a song composition, then this self-help guide will help your students and enable you to be more efficient with your time - and less exhausted! Suitable for GCSE composition and able year 9 students to help guide them through the possible choices available to them whilst composing, suggesting ideas but using the standard format of a pop song.

A worksheet in PDF format that enables students to perform Leitmotifs used in films. It provides two choices in performing a short Leitmotif from well-known films: Jaws or Star Wars. The most able are provided with a guide to create their own Leitmotif.

In Publisher Format to kick start a composition lesson to develop Reggae pieces using simple rhythms and pitch patterns

"This is a really well collated resource and has been put together coherently and thoughtfully. Wonderful!" Complete Scheme of Work for music complete with detailed lesson plans for year 7 students and milestone assessments for the end of each term. Wide, varied and broad musical curriculum suitable for all abilities displaying a balance of world music, contemporary music and idiomatic music of the British Isles. This scheme of work is exhaustive, that even an Ofsted inspector will be impressed with the level of detail! Extensive cross-curricular, PLTS and many other links highlighted to show you are addressing all the issues in education today. Set assessments included as a resource.

A worksheet (in publisher format) that enables students to perform Leitmotifs used in films. It provides two choices in performing a short Leitmotif from well-known films: Jaws or Star Wars. The most able are provided with a guide to create their own Leitmotif.

A worksheet suitable for a non-specialist (cover work) or as a preparatory lesson to a practical series of lessons performing reggae music. Short paragraphs with following questions as well as the opportunity for students to draw as well as express their own views/opinions about Rastafarian belief.

A step-by-step guide to creating a simple medieval piece using Garageband (but can be simply adapted to include other common music software), as well as an Assessment sheet for students to self assess and provide feedback to you on their learning experience. The worksheet helps to produce compositions of different levels of complexity according to ability. Model the task on a Smartboard, if you have one, or illustrate on a practical basis by using simple Orff tuned percussion for a drone, a tin whistle or recorded for a melody using the Dorian mode. This worksheet limits the constant demands of help from students and supports you in managing your time between all members of the class

Suitable for a non-specialist as well as for a preparatory lesson on practical African drumming. A simple reading and comprehension exercise which informs students on the nature of drumming in African tribal societies as well a the type of drums used as well as in what context.

Avoid the nightmare of having unprepared students for music GCSE! A 14-page booklet to inform parents, instrumental tutors (school-based and private tutors) and students on what is required to pass and do well in the qualification. It includes simple guidance for the EDUQAS GCSE course unit by unit and contains advice to avoid students being unprepared for all aspects of the course and, in particular, the assessment requirements. It also includes a key word knowledge audit for students, which teachers can use to plan their courses for the students on the course. This will ensure that all interested parties are well informed to support students effectively ensuring progress for all students.

Designed for key stage three for classes dealing with chords for the first time. Linked to Garageband, but can be used with any other software. Students learn the C major triad in two different areas of the keyboard. A rhythm chant is also used with words alongside a marching background rhythm, which enable students to play in the rhythm using the triad. Multi-tracking enables students to produce multi-layered fanfares.

A written worksheet that would be suitable for a non-specialist allowing students to access the internet later in the lesson to complete some research on the sounds of the instruments. The concept of Drone and Mode needs to be known.

In PDF format to kick start a composition lesson to develop Reggae pieces using simple rhythms and pitch patterns. Highlights the essential elements to complete a simple skank, fill and bass riff. An assessment sheet is included to enable students to assess themselves as well as provide feedback from their learning experience.

A powerpoint to guide performers who are paired to perform a simple Ragtime piano piece. The guide provides a simple background to how the style originated and evolved leading to some animation of the different parts. This would suit a class who would ideally learn each part in their pairs. The more difficult part is the bass, with the easier part in the treble. The is room for all students learning both parts and then to allocate to themselves, which part would be most suitable for them. In any case, students either perform live or record onto music software to play back to the class or the teacher for appraisal.

A worksheet illustrating the origin and background to Rap music. A template is provided to create lyrics with or without a background beat in the classroom. This can be accompanied with a simple, but limited, patois dictionary (also available on my resource site) to support students. Brief level descriptors are provided to enable students to understand where they are in their learning and what they can do to improve. A simple feedback section provides information by students as to the difficulties they faced. The second page provides key words for the techniques used in DJ performance. This lesson can either start with a DJ illustration with the lyrics constructed afterwards or the lyrics tested out in partners or groups followed by a DJ beat with progressive additions to improve the piece.

Suitable for most year 7 and 8 classes and uses three speech patterns to establish Calypso rhythms in the musical memories of students. The speech patterns can be performed as such as a string of rhythms, in canon (up to three parts) and can then be transferred to using pitch from set chords notes. This can be practiced before recording onto any musical recording software producing a phrases of Calypso melodies. This can act as part of a series of lessons going onto adding the bass for each chord used and fill parts.

A publisher format worksheet designed for use with any music software or integrated live performers and backing tracks. Suitable for year 8 and above. Students learn to perform a simple nursery, which is scalic and in simple ternary form. This enables students to perform the music quickly. This would suit the next stage of variations composition. Different combinations are suggested to provide a coherent and flowing set of variations, which can be re-ordered according to the student’s wish. Simple to more complex changes to the original are suggested, which lead to students creating their own changes. An appendix is provided to enable students to use the three main chords of I, IV and V for a ‘fill’ and bass part.