Hand out date: W/C 9th September 2024  

Project Aim: - To become a self-sufficient learner by developing music research skills.  

Task 1: Create an article analysing the development of modern popular music which could be submitted to a music magazine. Demonstrate an overview of the development of modern popular music.    

Each blog post should discuss the following: 

Create blog posts which use lots of examples such as images which could be of chord charts, lyric sheets, links to web pages, YouTube videos etc. to analyse the music of the period ensuring you cover:   

• Historical development of music – how one style led to another and why, what influenced change?  

• Harmonic analysis – what type of chords / chord progressions are used and how have they developed, at times did things get more complex and at other times did things become more simplistic and why?   

• Lyrical analysis – what are the lyrics about, how do they relate to the historical / social / political context of the time? Have you noticed patterns in how lyrics change over the decades, have some lyrical themes continued to be relevant, what are they and why?  

• Instruments / texture / arrangement (how does the band work and how are they using their instruments) - how has this changed, what has been the impact of technological development?  

• Key musicians / bands who innovated and moved the music forward.  

• Reflect  on what you have learnt through playing, performing and  songwriting  in the musical styles of each decade?  Which was your least / most favourite decade, and why?   

Deadline: Friday 6th December 2024 (Week 12)

Evidence required: An electronic copy of your article. Unit 4 LO1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 2.1, 2.2.

Task 2: Analyse music from the last 70 years and create a fortnightly music review blog comparing and evaluating at least 2 pieces of music from each decade from the 1950s to current day. Include in your analyses

• Genre / Style – what are the key features of the genre, what prior musical influences contribute to this style? 

• Structure /  Form –  strophic, ternary, 32 Bar (AABA); verse-chorus; bridge, break, outro..

• Lyrical analysis – what are the lyrics about? How do lyrics relate to the historical / social / political context of the time? Any use of metaphor, imagery, poetry?

• Melody -  melodic shape, range, phrasing, how does the melody emphasise the meaning of the lyrics? Vocal style?

• Harmony  -  key, major/minor, modal; chord progressions, simple or complex; modulations; harmonic devices; pedal note, suspension.. 

• Instruments / texture / arrangement (how does the band work and how are they using their instruments) - how has this changed, what has been the impact of technological development?  

• Anything else you feel is important / noteworthy

• Keep a bibliography of research sources, using Harvard referencing - include quotes, links to articles, videos and other source materials

Deadline: Friday 6th December 2024 (Week 12)

Evidence required: Link to Blog / Electronic copy of blog.  Unit 4 LO1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 2.1, 2.2.

Please refer to the UAL Specification for Assessment Criteria.