BTEC C1 Popular Styles / BTEC C2 Developing Technique
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 / BTEC C2 Developing Technique
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.
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 Controlled Assessment
Task 1 (5 supervised hours): pupils will compile a portfolio of evidence that demonstrates their understanding of four different styles of music using musical examples related to a theme.
Task 2 (7 supervised hours): pupils will create three 30–60-second examples of ideas for music products related to a theme, using a range of realisation techniques. The examples created must cover three from the following list:
- A live performance (video)
- An audio recording (multitrack)
- Music for film/media/computer games
- An original song or composition
- A DAW project (remix/arrangement).
Pupil work will be completed under controlled assessment conditions and assessed against the BTEC course’s marking criteria.
BTEC C2 Professional and Commercial Skills
Pupils will need to build their knowledge of the music industry and the changing landscape of marketing and promotion. They will learn how musicians share their work and collaborate with others and will develop your skills as a musician in how to use blogs, YouTube™, Soundcloud™ and other platforms to share their work and skills development with others. To be assessed through a marketing campaign task and a written review of learning.
BTEC C2 Applying and Developing
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.