Four units are delivered during the year.

We are immersing ourselves in the world of The Blues, using instruments in bands to rehearse and perform the Blues.

As part of this, we are:

• Identifying the key musical terms linked to the Blues and spotting them when we listen to Blues music
• Playing chords
• Rehearsing in a band
• Performing to others when we have rehearsed
• Continuing our understanding of the musical elements through the Blues

In this unit, you will:

• Listen to lots of Blues Music so you can develop your understanding of what you can hear.
• Learn to play the notes of the 12 bar blues on instruments
• Rehearse the 12 bar blues in a band, turning it into a performance
• Perform your band's Blues piece to the class

Our study of the Blues looks at the origins of this important genre of music, tracing its roots back to America in the early 1900s. The Blues led to all popular music we listen to today. This is why we are discovering the Blues in our lessons.

Some key musical words for the Blues

Blues – a style of early jazz, often vocal, descended from African-American work songs and spirituals.

Scat – a type of blues singing using nonsense syllables instead of words. syncopation– emphasis on the ‘off-beats’.

Call and response – where one person or group sings or plays a line, and is then answered by another person or group.

Improvisation – when a musician makes up the music on the spot.

12-bar blues – a pattern of chords in the order:

C – C – C – C

F – F – C – C

G – F – C – C

\

We are immersing ourselves in the world of Reggae, learning the musical characteristics and then by using instruments in bands to rehearse and perform part of a Reggae piece.

As part of this, we are:

• Discovering the cultural background of Reggae Music and Jamaica.
• Understanding how Reggae is different to Ska Music.
• Identifying the key musical terms linked to Reggae and spotting them when we listen to Reggae music
• Playing chords, including off-beat chords
• Rehearsing in a band, focusing on the distinctive Reggae groove
• Performing to others when we have rehearsed
• Continuing our understanding of the musical elements through Reggae

Click on the image below to read about and hear music from several Reggae Musicians