Model Questions

1. What makes a perfect pop melody?

2. What makes a chord pattern that’s worth repeating?

3. Major and minor keys: what is their effect on the listener?

4. A study of a musical era: how does it relate to the music which came before and after?

5. A study of a musical style: how does it relate to the styles which influenced and were influenced by it?

6. Discuss the development of a musical instrument and the music written for it: what has influenced its evolution?

7. What makes a successful structure in a song from a musical?

8. Musical rule breakers: a study of artists who reacted against the traditional music of their time.

9. Borrowing musical ideas from other pieces – is this tribute or theft?

10. Beyond the triad: 7ths, 9ths and more. How do composers expand their harmonic language by extending chords?

Task

Work on your own or in a group of 2, 3 or 4 students.

1. Choose a question

2. Choose a piece of music connected to your question: your 'focus music'

3. Listen to, research and describe your 'focus music' in detail

Describe how it uses musical elements such as instruments, melody (tunes/pitches), rhythms (note lengths), tempo (speed), harmony (chords), tonality (major/minor keys), structure (repeated/contrasting sections) and texture (the relationship between instruments).

4. Research other evidence to answer your question

Compare your 'focus music' with other relevant pieces. They might be similar or contrasting.

5. On your own or as a group, perform a relevant section from your 'focus music' or another related piece