Music The Music course will aim to strengthen and broaden current musical skills in preparation for sixth form study, in two key areas: Musical analysis (a) and essential harmonic language (b), focusing on fundamental areas of Advanced Level musicianship. Musical analysis sessions will introduce students to three key areas of musical style: the Baroque, Classical and Romantic eras, through the discovery and study of major works. Essential harmonic language will engage students with the correct approaches to working with keys, chords and cadences in four parts. Lesson Outline: Three lessons per week Week 1: (a) Musical analysis Discussion/selection of topics and A Level approach to units of work. The Baroque era- the major characteristics using Vivaldi’s Four Seasons: Summer. The Baroque orchestra, use of continuo and the concerto. Following the score. Discussion of preparation topics/pieces. (b) Essential harmonic language We will learn how to write triads in 4 voices, experimenting with the spacing to find the most suitable position. We will use chords V and I to write perfect cadences with correct voicing. Week 2: (a) Musical analysis The Classical era –the major characteristics using Haydn’s Symphony 101 first movement. The classical orchestra, sonata form. Following the score. Discussion of presentation topics and topic areas. (b) Essential harmonic language We will revise the major key signatures and the names of the degrees of the major scale. We will then investigate how triads can be formed on each degree, using Roman numerals to label the chords.
23
