Topic title: Blues
Year group: 8
When taught: October half term to Christmas
What are we learning?
- About the history of the Blues and the cultural changes that Blues helped bring about
- How to work out the notes in all major and minor chords (formulars)
- Developing our keyboard skills building on playing chords fluently in chord sequences
- Playing the walking bass pattern in our left hand
- About the process of creating an effective improvisation
- About how we put together two parts on the piano independently.
Why is this important to know?
- The Blues is a key style of music in the development of all modern popular styles of music. It has a huge cultural importance for us all in its development within Black history and within the breaking down of segregation in America and the UK. It is also key to opening the conversation about the history of the slave trade and the work songs from this time. This links to the year 8 history curriculum later in the academic year.
- When pupils can work out and play major and minor chords they are able to accompany themselves and others for any piece of music available. Please see below for more information on how to do this.
- This continues to challenge pupils to build their keyboard skills, aiming to begin to play pieces with two hands.
- Improvisation is a key skill not only for playing Blues and Jazz but for becoming more musical and free in the composition process. Learning to consider how to build melodies and rhythms in improvisation allows pupils to begin the process of free composition outside set four bar structures.
Where does this link into our past and future learning?
- Our overarching keyboard development is key to pupils accessing music at key stage 4, 5 and beyond. The biggest step in this is playing with two hands together. For those already mastering this skill it allows them to look at the complexity of movement and role of each hand.
- Our next topic looks at Reggae music, which has a similar social history. It allows us to reinforce the skills we have with playing chords and adds in the challenge of a longer structure and adding singing whilst accompanying yourself and others.
- The blues scale uses flattened notes and this continues on developing this skill both in the reading of these on a score and playing them on the keyboard.
- Later in year 8 and again through year 9 pupils build compositions with multiple layers, melody, chords and basslines. Pupils begin this process of developing these skills in the Blues topic.
How will we be assessed on this topic?
- Pupils will be assessed on performance of each of the blues skills – the chord sequence, bass line and improvisation.
- In the listening and appraising assessment pupils will be assessed on their ability to listen to identify notes in a chord and on a keyboard and identify key features of the blues. Please see the attached Blues keywords and assessment information sheet for more information.
What makes a strong piece of work in this topic? What are teachers hoping to see?
- Effective and accurate performance of the chords and bassline.
- Aiming to be able to play the chords and either the bass line or improvisation at the same time.
- Confidently identifying features of the Blues whilst listening to a Blues piece.
What key words are there in this topic?
What can I try if I want to stretch and challenge myself on this topic?
- Have a go at playing the more complex basslines offered and even find examples in music you like to have a go at playing.
- Learning the notes on the stave in the bass clef, practicing reading this fluently.
- Practicing trying to play a bass riff with your left hand and chords or a melody in your right hand.
What wider reading can be done on this topic? (link to access it – if applicable)
BBC Bitesize information on Blues and Jazz in more depth
Listen to the Blues classics on Youtube. Composers such as: Ma Reiney, Fats Waller, Robert Johnson, Bessie Smith, Count Basie, Glenn Miller etc
Using interactive websites such as the following to help with recall of the notes on the stave, both for treble and bass clefs.
Tonesavvy.com
Musictheory.net
Teoria.com
Supporting document/links:
