Understanding Music: Rhythm and Metre - Worksheet Pack for GCSE Music

All GCSE music specifications require students to have a comprehensive knowledge of a variety of different compositional devices relating to rhythm and metre, with many courses requiring students to be able to demonstrate this knowledge in both composition coursework and in the appraising exam.

This pack of 11 worksheets introduces a wide range of these devices, and a variety of different activities and a composition task that provides students an opportunity to practice using these devices before beginning their composition coursework or while preparing for the exam. Each of the worksheets that introduce new keywords come in two variants: one that has the definitions already provided, giving a useful reference or revision sheet; and one that provides a blank space for the student to write a definition for themselves. Where appropriate, each keyword is accompanied by a short musical example.

Here is a breakdown of each worksheet:
– Worksheet 1.1: An introduction to rhythm and metre with definitions provided;
– Worksheet 1.2: An introduction to rhythm and metre with space for students to research and write their own definition;
– Worksheet 1.3: A follow-up task, testing the knowledge of note values and time signatures covered in Worksheets 1.1 and 1.2;
– Worksheet 2.1: An introduction to a range of melodic devices with specific focus on devices that can be used in motivic development;
– Worksheet 2.1: An introduction to different types of rhythm, such as polyrhythm and syncopation, with definitions provided;
– Worksheet 2.2: An introduction to different types of rhythm, such as polyrhythm and syncopation, with space for students to research and write their own definition;
– Worksheet 2.3: A follow-up composition task, using the rhythmic devices covered in Worksheets 2.1 and 2.2;
– Worksheet 3.1: An introduction to rhythmic development (augmentation and diminution), with definitions provided;
– Worksheet 3.2: An introduction to rhythmic development (augmentation and diminution), with space for students to research and write their own definition;
– Worksheet 3.3: A follow-up task testing students’ ability to augment and diminish rhythms;
– Worksheet 4.1: An introduction to tempo, with definitions provided;
– Worksheet 4.2: An introduction to tempo, with space for students to research and write their own definition.

Previews of the first page of each worksheet are available from the files list.

It is the responsibility of the teacher to check this coverage of keywords against the exam board specification, this worksheet pack does not intend to offer complete coverage for all specifications.