History of Popular Music National 4/5 1 Ragtime Your teacher will select the most appropriate activities from the following options: Performing Learning Outcomes: You will work on your own or as part of a group, learning to play a piece of ragtime music. Different parts and instruments will be available and, with help from your teacher, the part you should choose should be the most appropriate for your ability. You may also be given time to work on an individual programme of music. Success Criteria: You can play or sing your part accurately and in time with others, where appropriate. You can recognise strengths and areas for improvement in your playing. Understanding Music Learning Outcomes: Through reading information and carrying out practical tasks, you will learn about the history and development of ragtime music. Success Criteria: You can recognise and describe the following concepts: вЂў Melodic: vamp вЂў Rhythm/tempo: syncopation вЂў Style: ragtime Composing Skills Learning Outcomes: You will begin to learn about chord progressions. Success Criteria: You can make up your own 4 bar chord progression from a given selection of chords. Technology/literacy Learning Outcomes: You will use the internet to research more information on ragtime music and one of the famous ragtime composers. Success Criteria: You can present your findings in your own words and in your choice of format, e.g. Powerpoint, information poster, talk to the class etc. 2 Ragtime What is ragtime music? вЂў A melody with a вЂ�raggedвЂ™ rhythm, which is set against a very steady bass. вЂў The вЂ�raggedвЂ™ rhythm is known as syncopation. вЂў The accompaniment uses a vamp. History: вЂў Invented in New Orleans. вЂў Developed in the 1890s in the saloons, gambling halls and cafes of the Southern States of the USA. Interesting information: вЂў Most of the bars and dance halls were small and could not accommodate a full band so, in its early days, ragtime was usually played on the piano. вЂў It was the first black music to be accepted by white people. Using a keyboard, learn to play a vamp based on the chords of G, C and D: G = G, B, D C = C, E, G D = D, F#, A 1. Make up a 4 bar chord sequence using the chords above. 2. For each bar, your left hand will play low notes. It should play the main (first) note of the chord on beat 1 and either the third or fifth note on beat 3, e.g. for one bar of the chord of G the left hand will play: 3. For each bar, your right hand will play notes near the middle of the keyboard. It should play the three note chord on beats 2 and 4, e.g. for one bar of the chord of G the right hand will play: 4. Now put both parts together. Extension: Try doing steps 1 and 2 just using your left hand to play the vamp. 3 The most well-known ragtime composer was Scott Joplin. His most popular piece, The Entertainer, was made famous in the film вЂ�The StingвЂ™, as well as being used in adverts such as Felix cat food. Scott Joplin became famous through the publication of his piece The Maple Leaf Rag in 1899. Below is an easy version of the start of the piece, which you can try to play if you want: Maple Leaf Rag (Scott Joplin) Find out some more information on ragtime music and one of the following composers of the genre: Scott Joplin, Charles вЂ�Cow-CowвЂ™ Davenport, George Botsford and Joseph Lamb. You can choose how you present your findings, e.g. Powerpoint, information poster, talk to the class etc. You should use the internet to find out the following information, e.g. http://www.jazzinamerica.org/LessonPlan/5/1/250 and by using a search engine. 1. Find out the influences ragtime drew from both European and African music. 2. Write a brief biography of your chosen ragtime artist. 3. List the names of some of their ragtime compositions. 4. Find audio of the pieces you listed in task 4 and listen to them. Include the web links to the audio files in your presentation. Ragtime was invented before records, tapes or CDs existed. Find out how piano rags were captured so they could be played back. 5. Find out how ragtime influenced the development of jazz music. 4 Jazz Your teacher will select the most appropriate activities from the following options: Performing Learning Outcomes: You will work on your own or as part of a group, learning to play a piece of jazz music. Different parts and instruments will be available and, with help from your teacher, the part you should choose should be the most appropriate for your ability. You may also be given time to work on an individual programme of music. Success Criteria: You can play or sing your part accurately and in time with others, where appropriate. You can recognise strengths and areas for improvement in your playing. Understanding Music Learning Outcomes: Through reading information and carrying out practical tasks, you will learn about the history and development of jazz music. Success Criteria: You can recognise and describe the following concepts: вЂў Melodic: scat singing, вЂў Rhythm/tempo: dotted rhythms, moderato вЂў Texture/structure/form: walking bass вЂў Timbre/dynamics: clarinet, con sordino (muted), pizzicato (plucked), trombone, trumpet вЂў Style: swing Composing Skills Learning Outcomes: You will work with a partner and will learn about some common features of jazz music through improvisation. Success Criteria: You can create an improvisation using notes from the appropriate blues scale, while following the 12 bar blues chord structure. 5 Jazz What is jazz music? вЂў A style which uses improvisation as a key element. вЂў Combines вЂ�blueвЂ™ notes, syncopation and different rhythms all playing together (polyrhythms). History: вЂў Originated at the beginning of the 20th century. вЂў Took ideas from blues music as well as African and European music. Interesting information: вЂў There are different types of jazz music, such as Dixieland, swing, bebop and jazzfunk. вЂў Swing music has a medium (moderato) to fast tempo and a distinctive вЂ�liltingвЂ™ rhythm: During the 1920вЂ™s the black bandleader Fletcher Henderson began the trend towards bigger jazz bands, with 10 or more players rather than the previous 5 or 6. These bands became known as Big Bands and they played swing music. Swing band instruments: вЂў reeds вЂў brass вЂў rhythm clarinet, 2 alto saxophones, 2 tenor saxophones 3 trumpets, 3 trombones piano, guitar, double bass, drums A solo brass or reed instrument might improvise against a written backing or riff played by all the other instruments. Swing music is often based on the 12 bar blues form. There were many famous swing band leaders, the most famous being Glenn Miller. His hit вЂ�In The MoodвЂ™ is based on the 12 bar blues pattern and uses dotted rhythms: In The Mood (Glenn Miller) 6 The National Youth Jazz Orchestra (NYJO) is an ensemble made up of the most musically gifted young British jazz musicians, with most of the current generation of top British jazz musicians having risen through its ranks. NYJO is classed as a big band, which performs music of the jazz and swing eras. It features: вЂў brass (most often trumpets and trombones) вЂў woodwind (usually saxophones) вЂў rhythm section (drums, double bass or bass guitar, piano and guitar). A main feature of big band music is improvised solos from different performers. Listen to a piece performed by NYJO and work out which instrument(s) have an improvised solo. Also, as you listen, try and pick out as many different instruments as you can and listen to a few seconds of what they are doing. A View From The Hill - NYJO Scat singing What is scat singing? вЂў Where a singer recreates the sound of an instrument, using their voice. вЂў They use improvisation: random vocables and syllables, or without words at all. вЂў Scat melodies are often variations on scales, arpeggios and riffs, based on a musical structure. Interesting information: вЂў Different singers use different types of sounds, depending on the instrument they want to imitate or the sounds they like: Betty Carter used sounds such as вЂњlouieooie-la-la-laвЂќ, while Sarah Vaughan used вЂњshoo-doo-shoo-bee-ooo-beeвЂќ. вЂў Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong, Bobbie McFerrin and Amy Winehouse have all experimented with scat singing. Amy Winehouse used scat singing in her first album, Frank. In the following excerpt, she scats before and with a saxophone solo: In My Bed (Amy Winehouse) 7 A common type of bass line used in blues and jazz music is a walking bass. On the piano, the bass line is played by the left hand, as it uses low pitched notes. A walking bass has a very regular on the beat rhythm, making it sound like footsteps: On a keyboard, using your left hand (or on a guitar) play the walking bass to get used to how it sounds. 8 Louis Armstrong (1901-1971), nicknamed Satchmo, was an American jazz trumpeter, bandleader, singer and actor. Considered one of the most influential jazz artists, he is known for songs such as вЂњWhat A Wonderful WorldвЂќ and вЂњWe Have All The Time In The WorldвЂќ Did you know? вЂў Louis ArmstrongвЂ™s musical training began in reform school, where he was sent for 18 months at the age of 12 for firing a pistol in the air as a joke. вЂў He bent the conventional rules of jazz and swing by playing both in front of and behind the beat. This syncopation influenced some of the greatest jazz musicians such as Miles Davis and Dave Brubeck. вЂў Allegedly, he dropped his lyric sheet while recording the song вЂњHeebie JeebiesвЂќ. Without dropping a beat, he kept going with random gibberish, which became known as scat singing. Basin Street Blues was first published in 1926 and made famous in a recording by Louis Armstrong in 1928. As you listen to his piece, try and recognise all of the concepts below: Melody/harmony Rhythm/tempo Instruments/voices and how they are used Dynamics Major tonality Trumpet melody with grace notes Imitation by clarinet and trombone Improvisation Scat singing Swing rhythm on drum kit Simple time, 4/4 Dotted rhythms Andante Piano вЂ“ introduction, melody, accompaniment Trumpet вЂ“ melody, improvisation Clarinet вЂ“ imitation, countermelody, improvisation Trombone вЂ“ imitation Drum kit вЂ“ swing rhythm, accompaniment Double bass вЂ“ pizzicato/plucked, bass line, walking bass Solo voice вЂ“ melody, scat singing mf, mezzo-forte or f, forte Diminuendo Basin Street Blues (Louis Armstrong) 9 Miles Davis (1926-1991) was an American jazz musician, trumpeter, bandleader and composer who was a pioneer for developing different jazz styles, including bebop and cool jazz. Did you know? вЂў Miles Davis began playing trumpet at the age of 13. вЂў His career stalled when he became a heroin addict, and his most successful period followed him kicking his habit. вЂў He married and was divorced three times. вЂў He was accused of being racist, because of comments against white people. вЂў A number of medical conditions caused his death, including pneumonia, respiratory failure and a stroke. With your teacher, discuss the concepts below, then, as you listen to the piece, try and recognise the features: Melody/harmony Rhythm/tempo Instruments/voices and how they are used Dynamics Minor tonality Improvisation on trumpet and double bass Chords on piano Simple time, 4/4 Syncopation Trumpet вЂ“ con sordino/muted, melody, improvisation Drum kit вЂ“ swing rhythm Double bass вЂ“ pizzicato, walking bass, improvisation, melody Piano вЂ“ chords, accompaniment mf, mezzo-forte or f, forte Diminuendo Accents/sfz/sforzando Dear Old Stockholm (Miles Davis) 10 You are going to work with a partner to create some jazz improvisation, basing your music on the 12 bar blues chord structure and using question and answer. 1. For the accompaniment you will need to be able to play the chords of C major, F major and G major. Choose to use either a keyboard with a jazz or swing rhythm and single or fingered chords or a guitar. 2. For the melody you will need to be able to play the notes of the blues scales of C, F and G (shown below). Choose to use keyboard, guitar, tuned percussion or an orchestral instrument (you may need your notes transposed). 3. Experiment with improvising some melodies based on the notes of one of the blues scales that you played over the page. Try and make the rhythm of your improvisation interesting, incorporating syncopation. 4. Line 1: You and your partner are going to create question and answer. Partner 1 should use the notes of the C blues scale to compose a one bar melody. This tune will be played in bars 1 and 3. Partner 2 should use the C blues scale notes to compose a one bar melody which mainly ascends. This tune will be played in bar 2. Partner 2 should then make up another C blues scale melody which descends. This will be played in bar 4. Play through the first four bars of melody and listen to the question and answer. 11 5. Line 2: Make up a 2 bar melody based on notes from the F blues scale. Imitate this melody in the next 2 bars, moving the pattern to fit the C blues scale. 6. Line 3: Make up a 1 bar melody based on the notes from the G blues scale, starting on a G. Use a sequence for the next bar, moving the pattern down to start on an F. Finally, decide on a 2 bar melody using the notes of the C blues scale, which makes the piece sound finished. A good way to make a piece sound finished is to end with the main note of the chord on a long note. 7. Choose one partner to play the whole melody and the other to play the accompaniment. Practise the piece together then perform it to others when you are ready. 8. Share your ideas with other pairs and discuss strengths and areas for improvement in each composition and in your own playing. Asessment questions How well have we experimented with and developed our musical ideas? How effective and imaginative is our piece? Does our piece make musical sense? Does our piece convey our creative intention? (e.g. does it fit the jazz style?) What would I do differently next time and why? 12 Reggae Your teacher will select the most appropriate activities from the following options: Performing Learning Outcomes: You will work on your own or as part of a group, learning to play a piece of reggae music. Different parts and instruments will be available and, with help from your teacher, the part you should choose should be the most appropriate for your ability. You may also be given time to work on an individual programme of music. Success Criteria: You can play or sing your part accurately and in time with others, where appropriate. You can recognise strengths and areas for improvement in your playing. Understanding Music Learning Outcomes: Through reading information and carrying out practical tasks, you will learn about the history and development of reggae music. Success Criteria: You can recognise and describe the following concepts: вЂў Rhythm/tempo:,syncopated. вЂў Style: reggae Technology/literacy Learning Outcomes: You will use the internet to research more information on reggae music and Bob Marley. Success Criteria: You produce an eye-catching and easy to read Powerpoint presentation of at least 8 slides, providing the answers to the questions you researched in your own words. 13 Reggae What is reggae music? вЂў A style which is most easily recognised by the off-beat rhythmic accents on beats 2 and 4. These are usually played by guitar or piano, or both. вЂў The drums emphasise beat 3 rather than the usual downbeat of beat 1. вЂў The bass line is often syncopated. History: вЂў Began in Jamaica in the late 1960s. Interesting information: вЂў There are different types of jazz music, such as Dixieland, swing, bebop and jazzfunk. вЂў Bob Marley (1945вЂ“1981) is the most famous reggae musician. His song Three Little Birds has appeared in many films, such as Shark Tale, I Am Legend and Marley and Me: Three Little Birds (Bob Marley) You are going to research more about reggae music and Bob Marley so you can produce a Powerpoint presentation. While you do this, you will listen to reggae music by different artists. Your Powerpoint will need to have pictures and at least 8 slides. It should be eye-catching, easy to read, interesting and in your own words. Below are some of the things you should find out and include in your presentation. See if you can find out anything else that is unusual that other groups may not have included in their presentations. 1. In your own words, give a brief overview of reggae music. 2. Write a brief biography of Bob MarleyвЂ™s life, including information on his religious beliefs. 3. Detail the social issues of his homeland and how these influenced his music, giving examples of songs (and some of their lyrics) which were connected with these social issues. 4. Pick 2 reggae songs (at least one by Bob Marley) and identify the distinctive features of the music in each song, e.g. mention the instruments and how they are used (linking this to the reggae style of music), any rhythmic or melodic patterns and harmonies. Use your concept lists to guide your thinking. Extension task: 5. Select one of your chosen 2 reggae songs, find out the chord structure and learn to play it in a reggae style on your choice of instrument. 14 Gospel Your teacher will select the most appropriate activities from the following options: Performing Learning Outcomes: You will work as part of a group, learning to sing a section from a piece of gospel music. You may also be given time to work on an individual programme of music. Success Criteria: You can play or sing your part accurately and in time with others, where appropriate. You can recognise strengths and areas for improvement in your playing. Understanding Music Learning Outcomes: Through reading information and carrying out practical tasks, you will learn about the history and development of gospel music. Success Criteria: You can recognise and describe the following concepts: вЂў Melodic: imitation, major tonality, вЂў Rhythm/tempo: syncopated вЂў Texture/structure/form: strophic вЂў Timbre/dynamics: backing vocals вЂў Style: gospel 15 Gospel What is gospel music? вЂў Christian music with dominant vocals, typically depicting personal religious experiences and stressing the importance of salvation. вЂў Four-part harmony, with the melody in the highest voice. вЂў Catchy, often syncopated rhythms. вЂў Generally strophic, in major tonality. вЂў Common instruments used include piano or Hammond organ, drums, tambourine, bass guitar and electric guitar. History: вЂў Began in America in the 19th century. вЂў Developed within both the white (European American) and black (African American) communities in the USA. Interesting information: вЂў The films Sister Act and Sister Act II have a musical focus on gospel music. Mama, I Want To Sing is a gospel musical about the life of Doris Troy, an American R&B singer. Raised in the church, she is discovered as a singer and wants to pursue a career in pop music. However, her mother disapproves of her daughter turning to secular music, away from her religious roots. Doris learns to follow her dreams while navigating the often treacherous world of celebrity and remaining true to herself and her family. HeвЂ™ll Be Your Strength from Mama, I Want To Sing Sister Act and Sister Act II feature a Las Vegas lounge singer who witnesses a murder and seeks refuge in the local church, disguising herself as a nun. At first, she struggles with the discipline at the nunnery and is punished for sneaking in to a nearby bar by being made to join the terrible choir. The choir vote for вЂ�Sister Mary ClarenceвЂ™ to take over as choir director and she teaches them to be better singers. In the sequel, she teaches music at a school in a rough area which is doomed for closure. Hail Holy Queen from Sister Act At the start of the following excerpt a lead singer alternates with backing vocals. There is also imitation: Oh Happy Day from Sister Act II 16 Rock Your teacher will select the most appropriate activities from the following options: Performing Learning Outcomes: You will work on your own or as part of a group, learning to play a piece of rock music. Different parts and instruments will be available and, with help from your teacher, the part you should choose should be the most appropriate for your ability. You may also be given time to work on an individual programme of music. Success Criteria: You can play or sing your part accurately and in time with others, where appropriate. You can recognise strengths and areas for improvement in your playing. Understanding Music Learning Outcomes: Through reading information and carrying out practical tasks, you will learn about the history and development of rock music. Success Criteria: You can recognise and describe the following concepts: вЂў Timbre/dynamics: distortion, pitch bend, reverb, rolls вЂў Style: rock Technology/literacy Learning Outcomes: You will use the internet to research more information on rock guitarists. You may be given homework to find out more about famous rock bands. Success Criteria: You can prepare a demonstration of your knowledge and understanding of the given areas in your own words, using your own choice of format, e.g. visual presentation, by giving a talk etc. 17 Rock What is rock music? вЂў A style influenced by many genres such as rock вЂ�nвЂ™ roll, rhythm & blues, country, folk, jazz and classical music. вЂў Often features electric or acoustic guitars, with a strong rhythm section of bass guitar, drum kit and keyboard instruments such as piano, organ or, since the 1970s, synthesisers. вЂў Saxophone and blues-style harmonica are sometimes used as solo instruments. History: вЂў Popular from the 1960s onwards. вЂў Guitarists began exploring a wider range of tonal effects. Interesting information: вЂў The rock style influenced the creation of the Rock Band and Guitar Hero games. The electric guitar was invented in 1931, to allow jazz musicians to play more loudly. It uses a magnetic pickup to convert the vibration of its strings in to electrical impulses. The signal is then amplified and the resulting sound is played through a loudspeaker. Jimi Hendrix (1942-1970) was an American musician and singer-songwriter who is widely considered to be the greatest electric guitarist in music history, and a pioneer of the use of distortion. Despite a short career in the spotlight, he was one of the most influential musicians in his era, being influenced by blues artists to create new sounds on the guitar. Distortion is an effect created by using overdrive, where the gain of the preamplifier is increased until the sound becomes fuzzy: 1. Plug an electric guitar in to the amp, via a lead. 2. Set the volume control on the guitar to 100%. 3. Turn the volume control on the amp to 0% and turn the gain control up to 75%. 4. Turn the volume control up until the sound is at the desired volume. 5. Play something on the guitar. The tone should be distorted. 6. Turn the gain control down and play again. Compare the вЂ�cleanвЂ™ sound with the distorted sound. 18 Reverb is an effect that gives the feel and tone of playing in a certain type of room. The sound becomes blurry as the notes are sounded before fading away. Pitch bend (also known as bending) is a technique where a guitarist presses a string on the fretboard then bends it to one side after sounding the string with the other hand. This shifts the pitch of the slightly and gives the guitar melody a more vocal quality. As you listen to Purple Haze by Jimi Hendrix, try and recognise all of the concepts below: Melody/harmony Minor tonality Rhythm/tempo Simple time, 4/4 Instruments/voices and how they are used Electric guitar вЂ“ melody, distortion, pitch bend, chords, accompaniment Bass guitar вЂ“ bass line, accompaniment Drum kit вЂ“ rock beat, drum fills, rolls Male singer вЂ“ lead vocals, reverb, syllabic f, forte Dynamics Purple Haze (Jimi Hendrix) Jimi Hendrix also popularised the use of the wah-wah pedal, which he combined with pitch bend and distortion: Voodoo Child (Jimi Hendrix) In 2003 and updated in 2011, Rolling Stone magazine published a list called вЂ�The 100 Greatest Guitarists of All TimeвЂ™, with the most recent top 5 consisting of Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page, Keith Richards and Jeff Beck. Pick one of the names listed above and find out some information on how they were influential in the development of guitar music: 1. Mention their influences, the types of guitars and amplifiers they used and their style of playing (including use of effects). 2. Go to a website such as Artist Direct and watch videos of your chosen artist performing so you can see their style of performing and how the instruments are played, especially if there is any improvising. 19 Homework вЂ“ Rock Music 1. Decide whether you would prefer to present your findings in the form of a talk or an information poster to be displayed on the classroom wall. 2. Choose one (or more) of the famous rock bands from the selection below (if you havenвЂ™t heard of them, choose the band with the logo you like best): AC/DC The Eagles Nirvana U2 Aerosmith Black Sabbath The Doors Fleetwood Mac Guns вЂ�nвЂ™ Roses Led Zeppelin Pink Floyd Queen Rolling Stones The Who ZZ Top Van Halen 3. Find out some information about the band, e.g. lead singer, other band members and the instruments they play(ed), when they became famous, if theyвЂ™re still together, if they won any awards, if they have been involved in any controversy etc. 4. Listen to or watch three songs by your rock band (you should be able to find music by them on Grooveshark or Artist Direct). Pick your favourite. Say why you chose it over the other two songs and create a brief listening guide for your audience: say which instruments/voices play and what they do (e.g. electric guitar вЂ“ plays melody with distortion, male voice вЂ“ lead vocals, piano вЂ“ accompaniment/chords etc.). 20 Pop Your teacher will select the most appropriate activities from the following options: Performing Learning Outcomes: You will work on your own or as part of a group, learning to play a piece of pop music. Different parts and instruments will be available and, with help from your teacher, the part you should choose should be the most appropriate for your ability. You may also be given time to work on an individual programme of music. Success Criteria: You can play or sing your part accurately and in time with others, where appropriate. You can recognise strengths and areas for improvement in your playing. Understanding Music Learning Outcomes: Through reading information and carrying out practical tasks, you will learn about the history and development of pop music. You will learn more about chord progressions. Success Criteria: You can identify where the chord changes, and begin to be able to recognise chords I, IV, V or VI. You can recognise and describe the following concepts: вЂў Texture/structure/form: chorus, middle 8, verse вЂў Timbre/dynamics: backing vocals вЂў Style: pop, rapping Composing Skills Learning Outcomes: You will create your own rap. Success Criteria: You can write appropriate lyrics and perform them clearly, in time with the beat. Technology/literacy Learning Outcomes: You may wish to use the internet and Audacity to find drum samples and loop them. Success Criteria: You can select a suitable drum loop as a basis for your rap and successfully loop it enough times to create a 1-2 minute ostinato. 21 Pop What is pop music? вЂў A style often geared towards the youth market. вЂў Relatively short and simple love songs, with a cheerful feel to the music. вЂў Songs are usually strophic and structured using verse and chorus. вЂў Songs sometimes also include a middle 8, for voices and instruments or just instruments. History: вЂў Began in the mid-1950s. вЂў Created as a softer alternative to rock вЂ�nвЂ™ roll. Interesting information: вЂў Many pop singers perform under new names: Katy Perry is really Katheryn Hudson, Jay-Z is Shawn Carter, Bruno Mars is Peter Hernandez, Jessie J is Jessica Cornish, P!nk is Alecia Moore and Lady Gaga is Stefani Germanotta. вЂў The 1990s saw the rise of the manufactured pop band. Manager Simon Cowell auditioned for the image as well as the sound of his singers, ploughing money in to marketing the new band so they would appeal to teenagers and young adults. His manufactured pop group Spice Girls had 9 UK and US No.1 singles and their first album вЂ�SpiceвЂ™ is the best selling album, by a female group, of all time. An excerpt of Katy PerryвЂ™s song Hot вЂ�nвЂ™ Cold is below. Copy the lyrics in to your jotter, leaving a space between each line: D We used to be just like twins, so in sync, The same energy nowвЂ™s a dead battery, Used to laugh вЂ�bout nothing, now youвЂ™re plain boring, I should know that youвЂ™re not gonna change. D вЂ�Cause youвЂ™re hot then youвЂ™re cold, youвЂ™re yes then youвЂ™re no, YouвЂ™re in then youвЂ™re out, youвЂ™re up then youвЂ™re down, YouвЂ™re wrong when itвЂ™s right, itвЂ™s black and itвЂ™s white, We fight, we break up, we kiss, we make up. Hot вЂ�nвЂ™ Cold (Katy Perry) 22 You are going to learn more about chord changes by completing two tasks. Your teacher will play the excerpt several times. 1. Underline every word where you think the chord changes. The first chord change is completed for you (вЂњbeвЂќ in the first line). There should be 15 chord changes in the verse. There should be 7 chord changes in the chorus. Hint: look for patterns in the chord structure which may make it easier for you to work it out when there are lots of changes. 2. Above each of your underlined words, write either the chord number (I, IV, V or VI) or the chord name (D, G, A or Em). The music is in the key of D major and starts on chord I. This has been completed for you. Use this information to help you complete the rest of your underlined chords: Chord I = D Chord IV = G Chord V = A Chord VI = Em 3. In a small group, use a guitar or keyboard to learn to play the four chords: Play the chord progression you thought the song used. Does it sound right? If not, try playing a different chord progression until you think you have found the one that sounds right. Your teacher will confirm the correct order once you have completed this task. 23 Follow the structure as you listen to the pop song вЂ�Up All NightвЂ™ by Take That, listening to how the main (lead) vocals are in harmony with backing vocals: Instrumental Introduction Sometimes I see your face looking at me All your love and grace smiling at me All the things we had and never understood. Verse 1 At times it cuts me up thinking of you All the hope has gone, wasted on you All the talks we had never did no good. Verse 2 Oh maybe I don't need you to save me I just want you to help me cos you're keeping me up all night I'm so tired of waiting, waiting here for nothing. I should be up all night with you. Chorus Pour another glass while I watch the bottle disappear While I watch the morning light appear, Thinking about you. Verse 3 Oh maybe I don't need you to save me I just want you to help me cos you're keeping me up all night I'm so tired of waiting, waiting here for nothing. I should be up all night with you. Chorus x2 I met this girl last night and she said, 'Why won't you marry me?' He met this girl last night and she said, 'Why won't you marry me?' But I'm too young for that, too dumb for that, Too broke for that, too tired for that, Too proud for that and I'm too gone for that, Would you like to come back to my flat? Middle 8 Oh maybe I don't need you to save me I just want you to help me cos you're keeping me up all night I'm so tired of waiting, waiting here for nothing. I should be up all night with you. Chorus x2 Come on just say you'll stay. Outro Now pick your own choice of pop song and analyse its structure, using the words: introduction, verse, chorus, middle 8, instrumental and outro, where appropriate. 24 Rap What is rap music? вЂў Spoken or chanted rhyming lyrics, which are performed in time to a beat. вЂў The rhythm and rhymes of the lyrics and how they interact is called the вЂњflowвЂќ. вЂў Lyrics often use alliteration, similies and metaphors. History: вЂў Most common in hip-hop music, from the end of the 1970s. вЂў Has become popular feature of popular music in recent years. Interesting information: вЂў Rapping is also known as MCing. вЂў A successful rapper must have vocal presence, clear enunciation and good breath control. вЂў There are different categories of rap, e.g. party rhymes, social and political issues, crime and materialism. The film 8 Mile is based on a young manвЂ™s troubled life and his decision to turn his life around to become a famous rapper, as he enters rap battle competitions against established rappers to try and make his name. It stars Eminem, a successful American rapper, record producer, songwriter and actor whose real name is Marshall Mathers and who uses the alter ego Slim Shady. The song вЂ�Lose YourselfвЂ™ by Eminem tells the story of his characterвЂ™s struggle to make it as a rapper, and his determination to succeed. Listen to an extract from the song and follow the story that Eminem raps, with the words to the chorus printed below: Lose Yourself (Eminem) Chorus: вЂњYou better lose yourself in the music, the moment You own it, you better never let it go, You only get one shot, do not miss your chance to blow, This opportunity comes once in a lifetime, yo.вЂќ 25 The six excerpts below are taken from songs in a variety of styles, all of which feature rapping by different artists. Listen to each of the excerpts then choose your favourite: GangstaвЂ™s Paradise Coolio Read All About It Professor Green No Sleep Til Brooklyn The Beastie Boys Where Is The Love Black Eyed Peas Airplanes B.O.B Il Manors Plan B Ask your teacher for a copy of the lyrics to your chosen rap excerpt and, as part of a group, learn to rap along with the track. Listen carefully to the beat of the backing and make your rap rhythmic and in time, paying attention to the story you are telling so you can perform with more feeling. 26 Write your own rap On your own or with others, you are going to write your own rap. From what you heard in the excerpts above, different rappers have different styles. As you go through the steps, you will discover what style suits your rap the best. 1. Pick a topic for your rap. Choose whether you want to make a club record or rap about a topic of political or personal importance. Decide whether you want to keep your tone positive or negative and try to present your subject from a unique point of view. 2. Brainstorm. Before embarking on your rap lyrics, brainstorm key words, phrases and ideas that you want to include, based on your chosen topic. These will help shape the content and mood of your rap. 3. Pick a beat. Either choose a rhythmic backing from the range of styles available on a keyboard or use a drum sample from a website such as http://ccmixter.org/view/media/samples/browse and edit it using Audacity to make the sample loop (play over and over again to make it last for longer). Your teacher will give you a worksheet for instructions on how to use Audacity. Your rap should last between 1-2 minutes. 4. Write your lyrics. Choose ideas from your brainstorm list that inspire you and use them to come up with a rap that is true to you and that gets across the message you want to portray. Use an online thesaurus or dictionary if you need help finding words. 5. Practise your rap. Work with your sample to fit your lyrics in, making it rhythmic (catchy sounding) and in time with the beat. Remember to speak clearly so the words are heard and understood. 6. Record and playback your rap. Record your rap and listen back to it and your classmatesвЂ™ raps, using the following questions as a self-assessment guide: (a) Was our/their rap clear? (e.g. could you hear and understand the story?) (b) Were our/their words in time with the beat? (c) Did the piece convey our creative intention? (d) What would I do differently next time and why? 27