Full notes covering all the set works you'll need for the GCSE Music exam- everything from the composer, to context of the piece, to details such as the melody and it's connotations are fully covered! Sheet music is also provided for each set work.
Area of study 1 – Western classical Music 1600 – 1899
This touches on just less than 300 years of music History. During
this time musical styles and conventions changed rapidly.
The invention and growth of instruments took place here along
with the formation of standard ensembles. E.g. orchestra, string
quartet etc. Musical structures were also established e.g. orchestral
symphony, solo sonata, concerto for soloist and orchestra as well as
vocal forms like opera and cantata.
Area of study 2 – Music in the 20th Century
More development in the diversity of musical styles than ever.
Composers reacted to the emotionalism or indulgences of the
Romantic era in different ways, leading to the birth of new styles. It
also saw the birth of popular music in different genres as well as
music generated using new forms of technology, such as electronic
and experimental music, in addition to numerous different forms of
dance music, which are still evolving today
Area of study 3 – Popular Music in context
The term ‘Popular Music’ can be a little confusing. It is not a genre
in itself. It describes Music that allot of people like, or is ‘popular’!
Popular Music can come from any genre, and will usually be
popular because of features like good hook lines, good melodies
etc, things that make songs sellable and memorable! Record
companies are the most powerful entities in the Popular Music
industry, spending millions of pounds on bands and artists that
they hope will make money from music sales and concerts!
Area of study 4 – World Music
,This area of study looks at aspects of Music from other countries,
cultures and traditions. This is the biggest subject and therefore
only touches on a few areas.
We will look at Indian, African and Celtic fusion traditions.
, Baroque Music
1600 – 1750
Baroque is borrowed from architecture, suggesting elaborate decorations of buildings at the time.
Therefore Baroque Music is often full of Ornamentation and Decoration.
KEY FEATURES
Violin took the place of the Viol – an earlier violin.
Birth of Opera, oratorio, fugue, suite, sonata and concerto
Harpsichord Was main keyboard instrument at this time. Harpsichord played chords and cello
played bass which was called Basso Continuo
Piano was invented in 1709 towards latter half of Baroque period
Establishment of Major and Minor key system, replacing modes
Textures : Monophonic - Single line melody and polyphonic – Two or more parts playing at once-
Homophonic – melody and accompaniment – used later on
Melodies full of ornaments and often use dramatic leaps
Repetition and simple Binary and Ternary Forms provide the basis for structure
Contrasting Dynamics – loud or quiet, often in blocks. (Called terrassed dynamics)
Main forms used – Binary, Ternary, rondo, variations including ground bass, chaconne, passacaglia)
Baroque Orchestra
Newly invented members of string family – violin, viola, cello (and harpsichord). Strings are basis of
Baroque orchestra.
Trumpets, horns and timpani drums – used sparingly
Recorders, wooden flutes – woodwind not standard at this time and varied hugely
Listen out for…
Music for strings only, or strings plus solo instruments
Concerto Grosso – small group contrasts with large group
Harpsichords
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