A comprehensive guide to 70s Funk, with specific focus on The Commodores and Stevie Wonder. Track Analyses include: Brick House by The Commodores and Superstition by Stevie Wonder. Analysis focuses on main musical features and characteristics of 70s Funk. A suggested written, research/homework activity is also provided. All information is included in 1 powerpoint resource.

A comprehensive guide to 80s Synthpop, with specific focus on Gary Numan, the Eurythmics and the Pet Shop Boys. Track Analyses include: Cars by Gary Numan, Sweet Dreams by the Eurythmics and Opportunities (Let’s Make Lots of Money) by the Pet Shop Boys. Analysis focuses on main musical features and characteristics of 80s Synthpop. A suggested written, research/homework activity is also provided. All information is included in 1 powerpoint resource.

A comprehensive guide to 80s Heavy Rock, with specific focus on Van Halen and Motorhead. Track Analyses include: Jump by Van Halen and Ace of Spades by Motorhead. Analysis focuses on main musical features and characteristics of 80s Heavy Rock, as well as the development of the electric guitar, iconic guitarists and evolution into 90s Grunge and Nu-Metal. All information is included in 1 powerpoint resource. There is an accompanying set of questions that scaffold an extended response on how electric guitarists have influenceed the development of different styles of music from 1960-1990.

A comprehensive guide to 60s Motown Soul, with specific focus on The Supremes, Smokey Robinson & the Miracles, Marvin Gaye. Track Analyses include: Baby Love & I Hear A Symphony by The Supremes, Tracks of My Tears by Smokey Robinson & The Miracles and I Heard It Through The Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. Analysis focuses on main musical features and characteristics of 60s Motown Soul. All information is included in 1 powerpoint resource.

A five-page glossary of useful terminology for the study of Rock & Pop (Eduqas AS-level Music). A starting point and precursor research activity to the study of Rock & Pop music from the 1960s-1990s.

A sample question as part of the Eduqas Unit 3 A-level Music specification. Two versions of “Rollercoaster of Love” - Ohio Players and RHCP. Original Funk vs. Rock-Funk fusion cover.

A sample question as part of the Eduqas Unit 3 A-level Music specification. Two versions of “How Will I Know” - Whitney Houston and Sam Smith. Original 80s Hip-Hop Ballad vs. Slow Ballad cover.

A resource that uses the documentary “The Story of Funk: One Nation Under A Groove”. Set of research questions for students to answer whilst watching the documentary. Answers for teachers also provided. Good as an introduction to the Funk genre and an insight into the pop culture and fusion of psychedelic rock with funk. Takes around 2-3 hours minimum as a mini-project: 1 hour to watch and make notes, 1 hour as a class discussion. Could be used for BTEC Music (Unit 30 Pop Music in Practice) or A’level Music. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9rZagOjCnKQ

Eduqas A-level Music Rock & Pop Comparison Sample Question: "Lean On”. With suggested mark scheme. Original EDM version compared with Pop-Ballad cover version.

Eduqas A-level Music Rock & Pop Comparison Sample Question: “Sweet Child O Mine”. With suggested mark scheme. Original Heavy Rock vs. Funk cover.

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).

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.

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 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 lesson originally used in a Music Department Taster event for Y10 and Y11 students (went down well across 160 students in 13 sessions). Recordings of songs mentioned are readily available on YouTube. The session looks at the UK mainstream charts, focussing on No. 1s and analysing their musical features to assess the formula for what makes a “hit” track. It then hones in on a huge current trend that has been bubbling under the surface for a couple of years - country music (or rather “pseudo-country”).

A sample question as part of the Eduqas Unit 3 A-level Music specification. Two versions of “Wonderwall” - Oasis and Ryan Adams. Original 90s Britpop vs. Slow Ballad cover.

A resource that uses the documentary “Hitsville: The Making of Motown”. Set of research questions for students to answer whilst watching the documentary. Answers for teachers also provided. Good as an introduction to Motown Soul and generally how the Music Industry works too. Takes around 3-4 hours minimum as a mini-project: 2-3 hours to watch and make notes, 1-2 hours as a class discussion. Could be used for BTEC Music (Unit 30 Pop Music in Practise) or A’level Music.

x4 mini-projects that could be used for A’level Music or BTEC Music. 50s Rock ‘n’ Roll 60s Psychedelic Rock Motown Strand - 60s Soul, 70s Funk & Disco (including Stax) 70s Punk Rock

A resource that uses the BBC4 documentary “The Britpop Story - It Really, Really, Really Could Happen". Set of research questions for students to answer whilst watching the documentary. Answers for teachers also provided. Good as an introduction to Britpop genre and an insight into the pop culture and politics of the time. Takes around 1-2 hours minimum as a mini-project: 30 mins - 1 hour to watch and make notes, 1 hour as a class discussion. Could be used for BTEC Music (Unit 30 Pop Music in Practise) or A’level Music.