Student Workbook Afro Celt Sound System UCC

GCSE Music

SET WORK INFORMATION

Afro Celt Sound System Release – from Volume 2: Release

‘Went to see these live in Dublin back in 2001 I saw Irish, English, African, Indian, and other musicians on the stage making magic and I couldn't figure out why the whole world was fighting. Music really is love.’ (YouTuber)

STUDENT NAME………………………………………

BASIC INFORMATION Afro Celt Sound System began in 1995 as an experiment by Simon Emmerson to see what would happen if he brought together expert musicians from different cultures. He simply let them improvise over a techno drum groove. When they realised the success of the experiment, they held a ‘recording week’ at Peter Gabriel’s Real World Studios. Musicians from all over the world came (with music being the only common language) and at the end of the week, the first album Volume 1: Sound Magic had been recorded. It was released in 1996.

Release was written in 1997. The group were preparing to record their second album and their keyboard player suddenly died. The recording was almost cancelled but Sinead O’Connor (a famous Irish musician) was also recording in the same studio and contributed some lyrics. It is her voice you hear on the track. This is a fusion of Irish and African music.

KEY FEATURES OF FUSION (African and Celtic) MUSIC 1. A fusion combines the key features of two different musical cultures.

2. It uses rhythms, instruments and structures from both of these styles.

3. Irish music traditionally had simple melodies and was mainly taught through the oral tradition.

4. Lots of Celtic folk music comes from Scotland and Ireland.

5. Voice and Drums are an important feature of African Music.

6. African drum beats are syncopated.

7. African music is based on rhythmic cycles.

8. A lot of Irish folk music is based on the pentatonic scale.

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Consolidation activities Here is a selection of tasks which get progressively more challenging. You should spend about an hour completing this.

1. What combinations of fusions have ‘Afro Celt Sound systems’ written? (give 3 examples). a. ______________________________________________________________ b. ______________________________________________________________ c. ______________________________________________________________ 2. Complete the definitions of the underlined key words from above in the box below.

3. Find an example of another group who are well known for writing fusion music. ____________________________________ 4. Listen to another piece of music from the same album as our set work and complete the statements below.

I listened to_____________________________________________________.

It is an example of the fusion of ________________ and _______________.

I thought that things which were similar were: a) _________________________________________________________ b) _________________________________________________________ c) _________________________________________________________ And things which were different were: a) _________________________________________________________ b) _________________________________________________________ c) _________________________________________________________

Keywords and their definitions Techno: ___________________________________________________________________ Groove: ___________________________________________________________________ Fusion: ____________________________________________________________________ Oral tradition: _______________________________________________________________ Syncopated: ________________________________________________________________ Rhythmic cycles: ____________________________________________________________ Pentatonic scale: ____________________________________________________________ Breakdown: ________________________________________________________________

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Wider Listening (General) Each piece you listen to requires you to also know about other SIMILAR types of music. They could be similar because:  the same composer wrote them  because they are written in the same musical period,  many other reasons.

Here is a list of pieces of music which could be linked to this set work and the composer. The youtube links are also provided (should you wish to access this booklet online). In the boxes provided, make comments about why you think this piece is included in the wider listening for this set work.

Piece 1 – Capercaillie – Beautiful Wasteland Youtube link – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-nUkqYlUhfU Comments ;

Piece 2 – Afro Celt Sound System – Mojave Youtube link – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KfgBz89sxMA Comments ;

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Piece 3 – Dizzy Gillespie & Machito - Afro-Cuban Jazz Moods - Pensativo Youtube link – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mKSBw2UVq2o Comments ;

TEACHER FEEDBACK ON GENERAL WIDER LISTENING WWW:

EBI:

Student response:

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Analysis of our Set work Facts about the context of the piece What style is it? What are the key features of this style? Are they in this piece? Is it part of a bigger piece? If so, where does this piece ‘sit’ in comparison with other parts of the same piece?

Performing forces and their handling What instruments are playing in the piece? (Don’t forget singers!). What role does each of them play? Is it tricky to play? Why? Does it use a large range for that instrument? Are there any specific techniques used (e.g. mutes, effects etc)? What are the dynamics like?

African:

Irish:

Western:

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Images of Irish and African instruments used in this piece.

Kora

Talking Drum

Hurdy-Gurdy

Uillean Pipes

Bodhrรกn

Accordion

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Structure There are seven sections. The timings are written for you. Note down any important features for each section.

Intro: 0:00 – 1:38

Verse 1: 1:38 – 2:55

Verse 2: 2:55 – 3:51

Solos: 3:51 – 4:55

Verse 3: 4:55 – 5:51

Build: 5:51 – 6:59

Outro: 6:59 - end

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Melody What instruments/voices have the melody in different sections? Is the melody doubled in different instruments/voices? Is it doubled in unison, octaves, 3rds etc? Does the melody fall into regular phrases? What is its tessitura? Is it conjunct or disjunct? Is it diatonic or chromatic? What is its shape (rising or falling etc)?

Texture Is the texture monophonic, homophonic or polyphonic or does it change? What features can you see and hear (loops, layering, call and response etc). Does it include heterophonic texture?

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Tonality and Harmony What is the key/tonality? Does it change? Where and what are the main chord sequences? Are they varied or repetitive? Is the music diatonic or chromatic, or is it a mixture? How often do the chords change? Identify any interesting features.

Tempo, Rhythm and Metre What is the tempo? Does it change? What is the metre? Does it change Is the piece in straight or swing rhythm? Is there syncopation? Are there features such as ostinatos? How long are the phrases. Note any interesting features (triplets, loops, riffs, accents etc).

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Dynamics How would you describe the volume of the piece? Does it change? Are all the instruments/voices the same volume?

TEACHER FEEDBACK ON YOUR NOTES WWW:

EBI:

Student response:

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Listening Questions related to your set work LISTENING 1 (2.15 – 2.40 seconds) - You will hear the extract 3 times.

1) Name one Irish instrument playing in this extract? _______________________ (1 mark) _________________________________ 2) The extract consists of 4 melodic phrases. Describe the 2 similarities and 2 differences in the melody between these 4 phrases.

Similarities: ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ ________________ (2 marks) Differences: ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ (2 marks) 3) Describe what happens in the accompaniment at the end of the 4th melodic phrase. ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ (2 marks)

Total /7 marks

LISTENING 2 - You will hear the piece 3 times 1) List 2 features of this extract which demonstrate each of the following Irish influences 1)___________________________________________________________ 2)___________________________________________________________ African influences 1)___________________________________________________________ 2)___________________________________________________________ Electronic Music influences 1) _________________________________________________________ 2) _________________________________________________________ (6 marks) 2) Describe the use of phrasing in this section ________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________ (2marks)

Total 12

/8 marks

Extended Response question For each set work, you MIGHT be asked to write in more detail about the piece. You will hear the piece played to you and you will also have a piece of music you’ve NOT studied as well. They will be linked in some way (for example, if you are asked to write about a vocal piece, then the unknown piece is likely to be a vocal piece too). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGbRZ73NvlY&index=1&list=PLxPcAoBMFIqwTchsE_gMNk4bKh 31Af_jr

Buena Vista Social Club: Chan Chan

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NOTES ON ‘UNFAMILIAR’ PIECE OF MUSIC

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Typical Question Using the notes you have made above and your notes about your set work, then answer the following question. You should spend no more than 25 minutes putting the answer together.    

Things to consider You need to give facts EQUALLY about both pieces.

It will be marked out of 12 (see the page 17 for the marking guidance from the exam board).

You should back up each point with a bar reference (or example) from the score. You will need to use the score from your course book for the Purcell.

Include a conclusion at the end.

QUESTION Evaluate how Afro-Celt Sound System (Release) and Buena Vista Social Club (Chan Chan)use instrumentation, rhythm and harmony to produce two contrasting pieces of fusion music. You should ensure that you reference any valid points made.

(12 marks)

__________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ 16

__________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________

Teacher comments and mark:

Mark:

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/12

Writing Frame Help Essay Question: Evaluate how Release and Chan Chan use instrumentation, rhythm and harmony to produce two contrasting pieces of fusion music. You should ensure that you reference any valid points made. (12 marks) Which musical elements in your notes is this question asking you to discuss?

Paragraph 1 – short introduction.

When were these pieces composed? What styles is each piece fusing together? Are they the same kind of piece? Write one sentence about how you are going to set out your answer. Write in complete sentences and back up every point you make.

Paragraph 2 – use of instrumentation in Release.

Identify the instrumentation; which instruments come from each of the different styles/genres? What are the dominant instruments and style?

Paragraph 3 – use of instrumentation in Chan Chan.

Identify the instrumentation; which instruments come from each of the different styles/genres? What are the dominant instruments and style? How does this differ from Release?

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Paragraph 4 – use of rhythm in Release.

What is the tempo and metre? Identify any strong rhythmic features or repeated rhythm patterns; which of the fused styles do they represent? Briefly write about the note values. How does rhythm contribute to the overall effect of the piece?

Paragraph 5 - use of rhythm in Chan Chan.

What is the tempo and metre? Identify any strong rhythmic features or repeated rhythm patterns; which of the fused styles do they represent? Briefly write about the note values. How does rhythm contribute to the overall effect of the piece? How does this differ from Release?

Paragraph 6 - use of harmony in Release.

What is the tonality of the piece? Identify the main chord sequences; do they vary? Is the harmony influenced by/typical of one of the fused styles? Identify any interesting chords and say how they are used? What is the effect of the harmony on the piece?

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Paragraph 7 - use of harmony in Chan Chan.

What is the tonality of the piece? Identify the main chord sequences; do they vary? Is the harmony influenced by/typical of one of the fused styles? Identify any interesting chords and say how they are used? What is the effect of the harmony on the piece? How does this compare to Release?

Paragraph 8 – short conclusion.

What are your conclusions? Did you find more differences or more similarities? Briefly sum up how the two pieces contrast with each other. Did you find one more interesting or effective than the other? Why? In your judgement, do the differences and/or similarities suggest that they are typical of their genre/period/?

Teacher comments and mark:

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Mark Scheme for 12 mark responses

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Challenge and consolidation activities Here is a selection of different activities you could try in relation to this set work. Some are designed to help you check your understanding and others (marked with an *) are designed to challenge you.

Sometimes, these will be set as personalised homework, but other times, you should use them outside of your classroom learning to support your knowledge.

1) Write 2 sentences that describe the structure of this extract.

2) Can you create a quiz for other students that includes at least 15 keywords related to this piece?

3) Name 3 other pieces using different fusions that have been recorded by Afro-Celt Sound System. Describe these fusions.

4) What is a Breakdown in music? Give an example from the piece.

5) What is the main rhythmic feature throughout this music?

6) Describe the use of technology at the start of the piece.

7) How does the tonality of this piece reflect the Irish folk music influences?

8) Describe two features of music technology which are found in this piece.

9) What is an ostinato? Find an example of this within the piece.

10) The harmony in this piece is ‘static’. What does this mean?

11) *Make a list under the headings ‘Africa’, ‘Ireland’, ‘European folk’ and ‘Western popular music’ and place the instruments in this recording in the appropriate columns.

12) *Describe the mood created by this piece. Give suggestions of why this is the case and how it is achieved in the music.

Cross off each of the questions when you have completed them. Lined paper is provided at the end of this booklet for these tasks.

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