What does the course cover? The programme of study

The Wolsey Hall Music Appreciation Course Part 1 is bespoke to Wolsey Hall but contains elements of the Cambridge Lower Secondary Curriculum. We also offer a full Cambridge Curriculum Music course that follows the Cambridge Lower Secondary Curriculum for those who wish to move on to study Music at IGCSE. 

You may want to print out this overview of the course and refer to it as you progress through the course.

DOWNLOAD - Programme of Study Download DOWNLOAD - Programme of Study

Do also bear in mind that:

  • Before Module One, there is an introductory Welcome call with your tutor.
  • At the end of Module Four, there is an end-of-course review.

 

  Course introduction

 

Module One: Instrument Families

Topic One (1.1): Stringed Instruments

  • Learn about musical instruments that produce sound from vibrating strings.

Topic Two (1.2): Woodwind Instruments 

  • Learn about instruments that produce sound from air being blown into the mouthpiece.

Topic Three (1.3): Brass Instruments 

  • Learn about instruments that produce sound through the vibration of a player’s lips.

Topic Four (1.4): The Percussion Family 

  • Learn about instruments that produce sound when they are struck by a beater.

Topic Five (1.5): The Keyboard 

  • Explore music that can be played on a keyboard.

Topic Six (1.6): Ensembles 

  • Learn about groups of musicians who perform together.

ASSIGNMENT 1

 

Module Two: World Music

Topic One (2.1): The Music of India    

  • Learn about the typical instruments used in classical Indian music. 
  • Identify the special features of this cultural music. 

Topic Two (2.2): Exploring Ragas and Talas 

  • Learn about the role played by the ‘Raga’ and ‘Tala’ within Indian music. 
  • Learn to distinguish the ‘Raga’ and ‘Tala’ purely by their sound.

Topic Three (2.3): Salsa Music 

  • Learn about the typical instruments used to create the recognisable timbre of salsa.
  • Identify the special features of this cultural music.

Topic Four (2.4): Samba Rhythms 

  • Learn about the typical instruments used to create the recognisable timbre of samba. 
  • Identify the special features of this cultural music. 

Topic Five (2.5): Playing Salsa and Samba Rhythms 

  • Practise the samba and salsa rhythms on your instrument or using music technology.

ASSIGNMENT 2

 

Module Three: Pop and Rock – All the Hits 

Topic One (3.1): The History and Features of Rock and Roll and Pop  

  • Learn about the history, development and features of rock and roll music, which led to the pop music sound. 
  • Learn to distinguish between rock and roll and pop music.

Topic Two (3.2): Pop Song Structure 

  • Identify the typical structure for writing a pop song.

Topic Three (3.3): Pop Through the Decades 

  • Research the development of pop music through the 20th and 21st centuries.

Topic Four (3.4): Rock and Pop Icons! 

  • Listen to and play the music of rock and pop icons. 

ASSIGNMENT 3

 

Module Four: Music and the Media

Topic One (4.1): Introducing Music in the Media 

  • Learn how music is used as an accompaniment to many forms of media. 

Topic Two (4.2): Music for Advertising 

  • Explore how music is used in advertising as a marketing tool.  
  • Listen to examples of famous songs used in TV advertisements. 

Topic Three (4.3): Radio Jingles 

  • Learn about the purpose and production of radio jingles and explore some examples. 
ASSIGNMENT 4