S1 Music Course
The first year course leads to a multi-instrumental approach in Unit 2, which then allows the pupil to choose two instruments on which to concentrate.
Unit 1
Introduction to the Music Department and Music Making
- Ensemble
'To the Fore' for Tuned Percussion, Keyboards, Guitar and Bass Guitar - Inventing
Graphic Score 'Storm at Sea' - Listening
Instruments of the Orchestra, Percussion Instruments, Storm music From William Tell Overture, Storm music from Peter Grimes, Film Music from Fantasia and Jungle Book - Solo Performance
Pink Sheets for Keyboard and Tuned Percussion, Extension material for Keyboard from QAHS Keyboard book 1. Guitar cords simple G, E minor, D, simple C and simple F. Bass Guitar - notes G, D, C, E, F - Pitch and Rhythm
Notestation sheets and QAHS worksheets on rhythm and pulse
Christmas Unit
- Ensemble
'Jingle Bells' for Tuned Percussion, Keyboard, Guitar and Bass Guitar - Inventing
Simple rhythmic ostinatos to fit Jingle Bells - Listening
'Sleigh Ride' and Video of 'Peter and the Wolf' - Solo Performance
'We wish you a merry Christmas', 'Good King Wenceslas' and 'Silent Night' for Tuned Percussion or Keyboard and singing various Christmas Carols and songs
Unit 2
Scottish Music
- Ensemble
'The Skye Boat Song' for Tuned Percussion, Keyboard, Guitar, Bass Guitar and Drum kit - Inventing
Pentatonic improvisation on 'The Skye Boat Song' for tuned Percussion and/or Keyboards. The use of Drones in compositions. - Listening
Scottish instruments and dances which feature various concepts and Malcolm Arnold's 'Tam O'Shanter' - Solo Performance
'Amazing Grace', 'Dark Island', 'Auld Lang Syne', and tunes from QAHS Keyboard book 1 or 2, Guitar - chords G, D, Em, Am, C, and A7, Bass Guitar notes as guitar chords, Drum kit - Waltz Beat, Singing - various Scots songs
Unit 3
Ragtime Time
- Ensemble
'Yazoo Rag' and 'Primrose Rag' for multi-instrumental forces - Inventing
Improvising and composing over a simple chord pattern - Listening
'The Entertainer', 'Maple Leaf Rag', 'The Golliwog's Cake-walk'. In the original piano version, the orchestral version and the version by Tomita.
Compare a march by Sousa with a Rag. - Solo Performance
QAHS Keyboard books 1, 2, and 3, Strathclyde Keyboard Course, Guitar as before but with chords of A and E7. Bass Guitar as before but with E and F#. Drum kit - Rock beat.
Unit 4
World Music
New short unit to last the 4 weeks from the change of timetable to the beginning of the new session in August
Supplementary Materials
Various supplementary materials can be used at various times throughout the S1 course. These materials include:
- 'My heart will go on' from the Titanic
- 'El condor pasa'
- 'Rainbow Rag'
- 'Alexander's Ragtime Band'