What Makes a Good Song?
Pupils will analyse key features of a variety of songs, developing understanding and importance of key and time signatures, chord progressions and sections. From this they will then perform and produce a song from a set list, using music technology to identify and demonstrate those components. To be assessed through recorded individual or group performances, as well as individual arrangement tasks using music technology and a written review of learning.
BTEC C1 Popular Styles
In this component, pupils will develop their understanding of different types of music products and the techniques used to create them. They will explore how musical elements, technology and other resources are used in the creation, production and performance of music. Pupils will also practically explore the key features of different styles of music and music theory and apply knowledge and understanding to developing their own creative work. Popular music styles:
o group 1: 50s and 60s, e.g. rock ‘n’ roll, British invasion, folk revival, Motown and soul, psychedelic
o group 2: 70s and 80s, e.g. heavy metal, prog, punk, disco, reggae, synth pop, hip-hop, post punk, hardcore
o group 3: 90s to present, e.g. grunge, Britpop, rave, techno, house/techno,
drum and bass, nu-metal, pop punk, dubstep, reggaeton, grime, trap.
To be assessed through recorded individual or group performances, as well as individual composition tasks using music technology and a written review of learning.
BTEC C1 Other Styles
In this component, pupils will develop their understanding of different types of music products and the techniques used to create them. They will explore how musical elements, technology and other resources are used in the creation, production and performance of music. Pupils will also practically explore the key features of different styles of music and music theory and apply knowledge and understanding to developing their own creative work. Other music styles:
o group 4: world music and fusion, e.g. samba, bhangra, African drumming, gamelan
o group 5: music for media (film, TV or computer games), e.g. jingles, theme tunes, soundscapes, ambient music, Foley, diegetic, non-diegetic, motifs and leitmotifs, thematic development
o group 6: western classical styles of music, e.g. baroque, classical, romantic,
orchestral, leitmotif, minimalism, serialism
o group 7: jazz and blues, e.g. delta blues, trad jazz, bebop, swing/big band, modal jazz.
To be assessed through recorded individual or group performances, as well as individual composition tasks using music technology and a written review of learning.
BTEC C2 Developing Technique
In this component, you will participate in workshops and classes where you will develop technical, practical, personal and professional skills and specialise in at least two of the following areas: music performance, creating original music, music production. Throughout your development, you will review your progress and consider how to make improvements. To be assessed through recorded individual or group performances or production using music technology and an end of unit test.