A step-by-step guide enabling students to create a simple three part waltz adding a bass, fill and melody using Garageband or other similar software package. This would suit a class who have already covered the basic three triads.

A practical worksheet which would benefit from an initial demonstration using Garageband or other similar software. This would enable students to create one or more variations on a simple nursery rhyme theme. This would suit a class who are familiar with triads already, but are moving on to the use of the three basic triads. The worksheet is in Publisher format. Students can be challenged to use their listening skills to see which triad fits the melody at any time. This can be an activity using trail and error initially but refined to create a simple bass line and a fill part using triad notes. It would be expected that this continue to a succeeding lesson, which develops different versions.

Avoid the nightmare of having unprepared students for music GCSE! A 14-page booklet to inform parents, instrumental tutors (school-based and private tutors) and students on what is required to pass and do well in the qualification. It includes simple guidance for the EDUQAS GCSE course unit by unit and contains advice to avoid students being unprepared for all aspects of the course and, in particular, the assessment requirements. It also includes a key word knowledge audit for students, which teachers can use to plan their courses for the students on the course. This will ensure that all interested parties are well informed to support students effectively ensuring progress for all students.

PDF Ground Bass Performance / Composition worksheet and self assessment sheet for students with a section for providing feedback on their learning. It is suitable for any years above year 8 and firmly bases the style in its historical context, leadings students to compare classical composers with contemporary ones using Ground Bass in similar and different ways. Designed so that students can input four simple tracks into any music composition software reproducing the Pachelbel Canon harmonic structure. Students are led to enter the notes again in a second section with suggested differences and are encouraged to progress to as many different versions they can produce. A brief appraisal and ‘pupil voice’ is included at the end to enable you to see how students dealt with the task.

In PDF format to kick start a composition lesson to develop Reggae pieces using simple rhythms and pitch patterns. Highlights the essential elements to complete a simple skank, fill and bass riff. An assessment sheet is included to enable students to assess themselves as well as provide feedback from their learning experience.

A PDF format worksheet illustrating the origin and background to Rap music. A template us provided to create lyrics with or without a background beat in the classroom. This can be accompanied with a simple, but limited, patois dictionary (also available on my resource site) to support students. Brief level descriptors are provided to enable students to understand where they are in their learning and what they can do to improve. A simple feedback session provides information by students as to the difficulties they faced. The second page provides key words for the techniques used in DJ performance. This lesson can either start with a DJ illustration with the lyrics constructed afterwards or the lyrics tested out in partners or groups followed by a DJ beat with progressive additions to improve the piece.

A PDF format of the Lullaby Worksheet covering covering three to four hour lessons. This is a four page worksheet that can either be written on or used as an accompaniment sheet with Sibelius or other notation program. The task involves composing a simple lullaby in 3/4 time using the words of Spike Milligan’s short poem entitled ‘The Sardine’. The style is placed in its historical context together with the purpose of such compositions. Students can perform the rhythms used (three different ones in 3/4 time) and as a preparatory exercise can echo clap these and perform them in a two or three part round. The link between syllabus and the number of notes must be highlighted to enable students to choose the correct rhythm for each bar of words. When complete, the class will be able to perform the piece using the completed written rhythm. An alternative is to use Sibelius to produce the rhythm string. The sheet includes levels to guide the students’ progress and to enable them to see where they are in their learning. A learning check is also provided as well as a student feedback section. Students can then attach pitch names to each note choosing from either CEG or GBD. In the following lesson students can move to Sibelius to input their rhythm string and to drag the notes to their selected notes. An additional accompanying ‘fill’ part can be added giving specific technical guidance on how to do so. Examples of correct and incorrect work is provided.

A PDF format of the self help card. Are you fed up helping students with technical problems when using Garageband technology in the classroom? Constantly saying the same things to students who clearly haven’t listened to your verbal advice and find yourself running around the classroom dealing with the same problem, feeling you and your students are making little progress? Copy (laminate if you can) and place by each computer for students use. It is likely that you will spend more time teaching, rather than working up a sweat around the classroom. The guide sheet gives simple advice that is easily understood and solved by students on their own. It is good to refuse help, unless they refer to the card for help first. Additionally, one can include the rule that they must have asked the person next to them too before they are allowed to ask you.

A PDF version of “creating Variations”, which is a practical worksheet which would benefit from an initial demonstration using Garageband or other similar software. This would enable students to create one or more variations on a simple nursery theme. This would suit a class who are familiar with triads already, but are moving on to the use of the three basic triads. Students can be challenged to use their listening skills to see which triad fits the melody at any time. This can be an activity using trial and error initially but refined to create a simple bass line and a fill part using triad notes. It would be expected that this continue to a succeeding lessons, which develops different versions.

A PDF version of a practical worksheet which uses a set number of speech phrases to introduce students to the rhythms of waltz. A preparatory session using these speech phrases enable students to produce a rhythm string. This prepares them for a waltz melody using Sibelius software. The lesson can be preceded by students learning how to ‘box’ waltz.

Fed up of trying to spread yourself around your GCSE music composition class giving individual advice and trying to get around everyone?! If you have set your class a song composition, then this self-help guide will help your students and enable you to be more efficient with your time - and less exhausted! Suitable for GCSE composition and able year 9 students to help guide them through the possible choices available to them whilst composing, suggesting ideas but using the standard format of a pop song.

Are you fed up helping students with technical problems when using Garageband technology in the classroom? Constantly saying the same things to students who clearly haven’t listened to your verbal advice and find yourself running around the classroom dealing with the same problem, feeling you and your students are making little progress? Copy (and laminate if you can) and place by each computer for students use. It is likely that you will spend more time teaching, rather than working up a sweat around the classroom. The guide sheet gives simple advice that is easily understood and solved by students on their own. It is good to refuse to help, unless they refer to the card for help first. Additionally, one can include the rule that they must have also asked the person next to them too before they are allowed to ask you.

A simple worksheet that enables students to understand the principles of musical structure but, in particular, the changing concept of variations in music. This is a worksheet that would be appropriate for GCSE or year 9 classes studying the genre and would be a good exercise after a starter. It can be used for a non-specialist or cover teacher part of a lesson.

Suitable for most year 7 and 8 classes and uses three speech patterns to establish Calypso rhythms in the musical memories of students. The speech patterns can be performed as such as a string of rhythms, in canon (up to three parts) and can then be transferred to using pitch from set chords notes. This can be practiced before recording onto any musical recording software producing a phrases of Calypso melodies. This can act as part of a series of lessons going onto adding the bass for each chord used and fill parts.

A four page worksheet to last over two to three lessons that can be written on (if required) to compose a simple lullaby in 3/4 time using the words of Spike Milligan’s short poem entitled ‘The Sardine’. The style is placed in its historical context together with the purpose of such compositions. Students can perform the rhythms used (three different ones in 3/4 time) and as a preparatory exercise can echo clap these and perform them in a two or three part rhythm round. The link between syllables and the number of notes must be highlighted to enable students to choose the correct rhythm for each bar of words. When complete the class will be able to perform the piece using the completed written rhythm. An alternative is to use Sibelius to produce the rhythm string. The sheet includes levels to guide students’ progress and to enable them to see where they are in their learning. A learning check is also provided as well as a student feedback. Students can then attach pitch names to each note choosing from either CEG or GBD. In the following lesson students can move to Sibelius to input their rhythm string and to drag the notes to their selected notes. An additional accompanying ‘fill’ part can be added giving specific technical guidance on how to do so. Examples of correct and incorrect work is provided.

A PDF format of composing medieval music with Garageband. A step-by-step guide to creating a simple medieval piece using Garageband (but can e simply adapted to include other common music software) producing different levels of complexity according to ability. Model the task on a Smartboard, if you have one, or illustrate on a practical basis. Using sheets like this limit the constant demands of help from students.

This is a Guide to Tuition for parents that can be used as a detailed template for your school, providing good processes and procedures to benefit music at a school and to increase it’s profile with parents. A booklet which is easily edited to tweak to the needs over your own department. The booklet outlines procedures and processes necessary to run an efficient music department and to raise the profile of its provision to parents. It is recommended the booklet is given out to students receiving or just starting lessons, which supports a fluid and efficient tuition system and obtain the “rubber stamp” of the senior leadership team to make it an effective system.

In Publisher Format to kick start a composition lesson to develop Reggae pieces using simple rhythms and pitch patterns

"This is a really well collated resource and has been put together coherently and thoughtfully. Wonderful!" Complete Scheme of Work for music complete with detailed lesson plans for year 7 students and milestone assessments for the end of each term. Wide, varied and broad musical curriculum suitable for all abilities displaying a balance of world music, contemporary music and idiomatic music of the British Isles. This scheme of work is exhaustive, that even an Ofsted inspector will be impressed with the level of detail! Extensive cross-curricular, PLTS and many other links highlighted to show you are addressing all the issues in education today. Set assessments included as a resource.