Secondary Music at Home 2
Y7-9 All about guitars | Y10-11 Music quiz | Y12-13 How to...
Enjoy these structured musical activities that we have prepared especially for you to continue your learning at home.
Years 7-9:
All about guitars
This week we're getting you to think about the Guitar family of instruments
1. The instruments
Can you name five instruments in the guitar family? What do they all have in common, and what is different about each instrument?
2. Air guitar!
You might not have a real guitar at home, but that's no reason to stop you! Take a look at this video for an example of how to air guitar.
Have a go with a track of your choice. Your family might be able to suggest some good tracks too!
3. How good is your musical knowledge from A-Z
Grab a couple of sheets of paper and answer these questions, each beginning with a different letter of the alphabet. Time yourself, how long did it take to complete?
A – Name 10 bands beginning with A
B – Name 10 female artists who have a letter B in their name
C – Name 10 male artists who have songs with a C in the title
D – Name 10 albums with the letter D in the title
E – Eminem is a rap artist. Can you list the top 10 grossing rap artists
F – Which iconic band was Freddie Mercury the lead singer of? Listen to one of their songs and write a short review. Think about why you like or dislike it, about tempo, lyrics, instruments, structure, dynamics and texture.
G – Name 10 musical words with the letter G in them
H – A Hurdy Gurdy is an uncommon instrument. Can you name 10 more uncommon instruments?
I – Identify 10 different types of drum
J – Identify a few key features that makes traditional Japanese music sound like it does
K – A Kora is the name of an instrument from another culture. Can you name 10 more instruments from around the world?
L – Ludwig Van Beethoven has his 250th Anniversary this year. List 10 things he wrote, and choose one to listen to
M – Minimalism is a style of music. Can you name a minimalist composer?
N – Now That's What I Call Music is currently at its 105th edition having released compilation albums for years. Can you find out what was the first track from the following albums:
Now 1, 7, 17, 22, 42, 59, 99, 100, 103
O – Name 10 instruments with the letter O in them
P – Pink Floyd were an influential band from the 1960s. Name 10 other bands formed in the 60s. Choose one band, and listen to one of their tracks. Do you like it?
Q – Can you think of a question to ask your music teacher?
R – A recording can sell in many different formats today. Do you know how many sales you need to get in the UK to get a Silver, Gold and Platinum disc?
S – Many modern artists use samples in their music. What are they, and do you think that when they are being used it is still creative? Explain your opinion with an example of a song which uses samples.
T – What is a theremin, and how is it played?
U – Ultravox had a track in 1981 called Vienna. It never made it to number one. Why?
V – Do you have a favourite Music Video? Who is the artist and what is the title?
W – What makes the perfect pop song? Can you list 10 things?
X – A Xylophone is a pitched percussion instrument. Can you name 10 other percussion instruments?
Y – Yodelling is a vocal technique from which country?
Z – Z is for zither - name 5 other central or Eastern European folk instruments
Years 10-11:
Musical Knowledge A-Z
Take a look at the How good is your musical knowledge from A-Z above.
Have a go at completing this yourself, then have a go at making your own musical knowledge A-Z quiz to test your family or music teacher with.
Years 12-13:
How to...
The internet is full of "how to" guides for pretty much any subject, most of which can be helpful when stuck on how to do something you're not sure about.
Choose a topic from your course and write a guide of your own of "how to understand this aspect of your course". Imagine the person reading it has a basic understanding but needs the help in how to really get how it works.
This could be "How to write a minimalist piece of music" or "How to safely share a home recording song on social media".