An analysis of Takemitsu’s Rain Spell for the 21st century topic on the Eduqas A’level Music specification. Close look at extended playing techniques for the flute, clarinet, harp, vibraphone and piano. Discussion of the use of the spectralism style, harmony & tonality, rhythm & metre and graphical notation. Worksheet and teacher analysis. Recordings and scores can be freely found online.

A comprehensive guide to 70s Progressive Rock, with specific focus on Genesis, Queen & Pink Floyd. Track Analyses include: Dancing with the Moonlit Knight by Genesis, Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen and Another Brick in the Wall (Part 2) by Pink Floyd. Analysis focuses on main musical features and characteristics of 70s Progressive Rock. A suggested written, research/homework activity is also provided. All information is included in 1 powerpoint resource.

A comprehensive guide to 60s Psychedelic Rock, with specific focus on The Beatles’ Sergeant Pepper album with some comparison to The Rolling Stones’ Their Satanic Majesties Request album. Both albums from 1968. Track Analyses include: A Day in the Life, Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds & Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite by The Beatles, as well as 2000 Light Years from Home by The Rolling Stones. Analysis focuses on main musical features and characteristics of 60s Psychedelic Rock. A suggest written, research/homework activity is also provided. All information is included in 1 powerpoint resource.

A comprehensive unit of work on 1970s Disco (Flares, Escapism & Homophobia), looking at the historical & political context, as well as two track analyses on Gloria Gaynor’s I Will Survive (1978) and Boney M’s Rasputin (1978). Resource consists of 3 separate powerpoints and a written assignment template. There is a suggested extenstion task, looking at a Minogue track from 2015 (no resources on this one). Warning: there are some potentially triggering references linked to different socio-economic groups. Exploration of lyrical content throughout touches on some sensitive topics.

A complete unit of work, exploring the use and development of Form & Structure in symphonic music from 1750-1900.

A complete unit of work, exploring the use and development of Programme Music in symphonic music from 1750-1900.

A comprehensive unit of work on 1970s British Punk (Politics, Protest & Pogoing), looking at the historical & political context, as well as two track analyses on The Clash’s White Riot (1977) and The Sex Pistols’ God Save the Queen (1977). American Bubblgum Punk of the early 2000s (America, Angst & Alternative Dress) is then explored with a track analysis of Green Day’s American Idiot (2004), followed by a look at more recent UK Punk with references to Soft Play’s Punk’s Dead (2023). Resource consists of 4 separate powerpoints and a written assignment template. Warning: there are some potentially triggering references and images linked to 9/11. Exploration of lyrical content throughout touches on some sensitive topics. Quotes of lyrics reference explicit language.

A powerpoint looking at the historical context behind 70s British Punk, including discussion of musical features, stage presence, politics, iconic artists/tracks and the evolution into the 80s. Could be used as an overview, initial look at the topic, revision or for sparking conversation.

Haydn’s Symphony no. 104, movement 2 (Andante) - Annotated Score. Updated resource. Eye-catching with colour-coding for different analytical aspects, including: Harmony & Tonality, Instrumentation, Structure, Texture, Melody & Rhythm, Historical Context.

Haydn’s Symphony no. 104, movement 1 (Adagio/Allegro) - Annotated Score. Updated resource. Eye-catching with colour-coding for different analytical aspects, including: Harmony & Tonality, Instrumentation, Structure, Texture, Melody & Rhythm, Historical Context.

An analysis of 90s Britpop, looking at the contextual information, musical features and iconics tracks of the genre. This would serve as a few lessons of introduction, listening and research. Powerpoint, with accompanying worksheet for students to make notes. Worksheet of research questions that accompanies the BBC4 Documentary “The Britpop Story”. Used for both vocational music (RSL Creative Music Industry course) and also A’level Music (Eduqas).

An analysis of Berlioz’s Symphonie Fantastique, looking at the Development of the Symphony. Core topics discussed include programme, instrumentation, and the symphonic form. A summary response explores how this symphony is a product of Romanticism. Links to audio and tasks for students to explore bar numbers and extracts of the different movements. Accompanying worksheet.

A brief analysis of the use of programme, instrumentation, harmony & tonality and texture within Saint-Saens’ Danse Macabre.

Eduqas A’level Music: A revision powerpoint designed to recap the main features of the development of Sonata form in symphonic works from 1750-1900.

Eduqas A’level Music: A revision powerpoint designed to recap the main elements of Dance features in symphonic works from 1750-1900. Accompanying worksheet to encourage learners to practice writing sample paragraphs ready for the final essay.

Revision Summary Powerpoints on both Into the 21st Century Set Works: Thomas Ades’ - Asyla - 3rd Movement Ecstasio Sally Beamish’s Opus California - 1st movement - Boardwalk, 4th movement - Natural Bridges Wider Context in relation to the 5-mark comparison question also included. Wider Context composers covered include Judith Weir, Mark-Anthony Turnage, Witold Lutoslawski, Kaija Saariaho and Toru Takemitsu.

A revision powerpoint on Haydn’s Symphony No. 104, Movement 4. Complete with an overview of the main musical features of each section of the work and sample exam-style questions taken from past papers and sample materials. There is also a comparison with the minor study of Mendelssohn’s Symphony No. 4, Movement 4, including some exam-style questions.

A revision powerpoint on Haydn’s Symphony No. 104, Movement 3. Complete with an overview of the main musical features of each section of the work and sample exam-style questions taken from past papers and sample materials. There is also a comparison with the minor study of Mendelssohn’s Symphony No. 4, Movement 3, including some exam-style questions.

A revision powerpoint on Haydn’s Symphony No. 104, Movement 2. Complete with an overview of the main musical features of each section of the work and sample exam-style questions taken from past papers and sample materials.

A revision powerpoint on Haydn’s Symphony No. 104, Movement 1. Complete with an overview of the main musical features of each section of the work and sample exam-style questions taken from past papers and sample materials.