Updated for the 2018-2019 Edexcel Composition Brief (No.1 Instrumental Music). It is also a great free choice! Do your students need detailed guidance to keep up with their new exam specification coursework requirements? Are you too busy running around your class of 32 to give them individual step by step instructions? Would you like a full resource that will result in weeks of high quality independent composing? Fear not, my tried and tested student friendly composition guide is here! Based around the study of Instrumental Music, this step by step guide can be uploaded to the computers of individual students or used as a whole class presentation. Each slide is accompanied with a detailed explanation and examples in audio, midi and also sheet music. This is a differentiated resource that allows musicians of all abilities and experience to achieve their target grade. There are three worksheets included to help plan the composition, organise modulations and write a detailed annotation to go with the composition. This resource was created with the new Edexcel GCSE music specification in mind, but could be applied to other exam boards or composition projects that look to strengthen the application of all musical elements. I have included by estimated interpretation of what higher graded pieces of music will include. As you (and the music education community know), there is no telling what lies around the corner! But this is an educated guess as good as it gets. *Please let me know if there are any issues around formatting for your OS, or if there are any issues with audio files and I will happily amend any issues you have.

Do your students need a considerate approach to preparing them for their independent compositions?Are you too busy running around your class of 32 to give them individual step by step instructions? Would you like a full resource that will result in weeks of high quality independent composing? Fear not, my tried and tested student friendly composition guide is here! This powerpoint can be shown to the whole class or given as individual differentiation support Each slide is accompanied with a detailed explanation and examples in audio, midi and also sheet music. This is a differentiated resource that allows musicians of all abilities and experience to achieve their target grade while considering musical elements and specific observations about this year’s options that will help them begin their compositions in a focused way, This resource was created with the new OCR GCSE music specification in mind, but could be applied to other exam boards or composition projects that look to strengthen the application of all musical elements. I have included by estimated interpretation of what higher graded pieces of music will include. As you (and the music education community know), there is no telling what lies around the corner! But this is an educated guess as good as it gets. *Please let me know if there are any issues around formatting for your OS, or if there are any issues with audio files and I will happily amend any issues you have.

Do your students need detailed guidance to keep up with their new exam specification coursework requirements? Are you too busy running around your class of 32 to give them individual step by step instructions? Would you like a full resource that will result in weeks of high quality independent composing? Fear not, my tried and tested student friendly composition guide is here! Based around the 2018 Edexcel Brief No. 3 (Music for Stage and Screen) focusing on representing gangs through nationality, this presentation is designed to help students through one of the options of their mandatory composition. It can be used as a free choice brief in later years or for other exam boards. It can be uploaded to the computers of individual students or used as a whole class presentation. Each slide is accompanied with a detailed explanation and examples in audio, midi and also sheet music. This is a differentiated resource that allows musicians of all abilities and experience to achieve their target grade. This resource was created with the new Edexcel GCSE music specification in mind, but could be applied to other exam boards or composition projects that look to strengthen the application of all musical elements. I have included by estimated interpretation of what higher graded pieces of music will include. As you (and the music education community know), there is no telling what lies around the corner! But this is an educated guess as good as it gets. *Please let me know if there are any issues around formatting for your OS, or if there are any issues with audio files and I will happily amend any issues you have.

Are you sick of tee-ta-tea-tea-ing your way around rhythm? Do KS3 students STILL NOT UNDERSTAND rhythm symbols? Need to bridge the gap between practical and music technology? This scheme of work is for you. I’ve designed a scheme of work for a KS3 class who have been introduced to the names of rhythm symbols and the idea that they have duration, but need some revision and a modern approach to learning it. This scheme of work lasts a half term (five lessons minimum) and covers revision of rhythm symbols (Semibreve, Minim, Crotchet, Quaver, Rests, Ties and Dots) in a fun way relating to lego. It also covers an introduction into music technology (I have used Garageband but this can be easily tranferred to Cubase or Sibelius etc), texture, and the idea of melody, counter melody and harmony. It can be a fun independent learning project or used for ensemble performances too. The scheme of work ends with a simple assessment with a grid for teachers to comment on expected progress and a feedback form. There is mastery style tick sheet also. There are three extension tasks attached to lessons 2, 3 and 4. Note: I have actually done lesson one with physical lego bricks and it has gone down a treat! No more issues there! I have embedded audio files into the powerpoint but we all know how that can go so I’ve attached that here for reentering too. There is also a copy of every Garageband file for displaying on the board or editing how you like.