This music text has been created specifically for lower secondary general music classes. It is written by two experienced classroom music teachers and therefore takes into account two significant factors characterizing music classes at this level: students enter Year 7 and 8 with varying musical backgrounds; and students at this level respond most positively when their own musical experience is taken as a learning base.

The ten work units within RMB1 represent a sequential learning process and each unit is divided into the following components:

Performance
This practical component forms the focus for each unit. It is divided into four parts – Keyboards Plus, Drums, Guitar and Advanced Keys – all parts are complementary and designed to be played with the Backtrack CD.  The Keyboards Plus piece in each unit is part of a uniquely designed Skill Accumulation Program which is intended to progressively teach pitch and rhythmic notation. This part can be played by keyboards, marimbas, glockenspiels or indeed most ‘C’ instruments. The Drums part may be played by a single drummer, or by four or more students playing each individual percussion line. The Guitar part comprises simple strummed chords and allows the analysis of the chord pattern within the arrangement. The Advanced Keys may be played by the teacher, or a proficient student keyboard player.

The various parts within this Performance component allow students to play at their own level, either individually or collaboratively, assuring total engagement regardless of past musical experience. The repetitive nature of each arrangement encourages classroom considerations of style, expression and form.

A diary symbol found on this page represents a requisite formal written response to the practical work, where students’ general observations and evaluations may be entered regarding the finished performance.

Music Notation
Here the basic conventions of music language are introduced. Throughout the ten units musical concepts and techniques are explored within the context of the unit’s related practical work.

Composition
Within this component, simple compositional devices are studied and applied to the students’ own compositions.  Elements of rhythm, harmony, form, expression and style are isolated then utilized creatively by students in their own works.

Listening
The Listening activities are created for use with the accompanying backtrack CD. They foster students’ aural perception skills and enhance their appreciation of musical expression and texture.

Music Research
The Music Research activity for each unit promotes intelligent analysis of the contemporary music genre. These activities give students the required expressive tools to make worthwhile observations and reflections upon current music.
Extension
The Extension activities assist students as they learn to consider contemporary music within a wider context. Students are asked to explore; the machinations of the modern music industry; the evolutionary nature of music; and music’s connection with other art forms.

©2K8 RockEDmusic P/L Alison Dodds & John Duff

RockEDmusic P/L
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