GCSE Music contains four topics known as “Areas of Study”. Each activity (listening, performing & composing) is based around an Area of Study.
Area of Study 1: “Repetition and Contrast in Western Classical Music 1650-1900″
This topic looks at how music is structured in classical music. It examines the music of composers such as Bach, Vivaldi, Mozart, Beethoven, Haydn, and Strauss. The structural devices this topic looks at are binary form, ternary form, ground bass, and theme & variations.
Area of Study 2: “New Directions in Classical Music 1900 – present day”
This topic looks at how music has developed over the last century. It looks at the experimental techniques such as serialism & minimalism.
Area of Study 3: “Popular Song in Context”
This is the topic that most students will be familiar with. It looks at Songs from Musicals, Britpop, & Club Dance
Area of Study 4: “Rhythms & Modes in World Music”
This is usually the type of music that most people are least familiar with – African music, Indian Music and Fusion
Activities:
All activities come from studying the Areas of Study listed above. Your performing and composing tasks will be from those topics.
