Rock 'n' Roll - The 12-Bar Blues

Lessons 2+3 of Rock ‘n’ Roll
KS3 Scheme of Work – 6 lessons (or a standalone double lesson)

Objectives
• To learn about the origins of rock ‘n’ roll in the 1950s
• To sing and play several rock ‘n’ roll and rock songs
• To recognise some typical instruments – keyboard, drums and double bass – and their functions
• To play the chords of C, F, G and Am on the keyboard
• To perform the 12-bar blues and I-vi-IV-V chord progressions on the keyboard
• To arrange a rock ‘n’ roll song for a group performance
Lesson Overview
1. The Origins of Rock ‘n’ Roll
2. The 12-Bar Blues
3. The Bass Line
4. The I-vi-IV-V Progression
5. Preparing Group Arrangement
6. Group Performances and Listening Exercise
Subject-specific vocabulary
• Performers: Bill Haley and the Comets, Elvis Presley
• Instruments: double bass, drum kit, keyboard
• Chords: C, F, G, Am
• 12-bar blues and I-vi-IV-V chord progressions
Assessments
• Performing (keyboard) – 12-bar blues
• Composing – group arrangement of a Rock ‘n’ Roll song
• Listening – Hound Dog

This topic can be followed up with the topic on The Beatles, which introduces more secondary triads and more complex song structures, reflecting the development of rock music in the 1960s.