Secondary Music at Home 20
Y7-9 It Don't Mean a Thing, Writing a Rap and The Wellerman Tap Along | Y10-13 Performing
Enjoy these structured musical activities that we have prepared especially for you to continue your learning at home.
Years 7-9:
It Don't Mean a Thing
Listening is such a key skill, not just in music but in life too. It enables us to appreciate the world around us and helps us define what we like and dislike. Take a listen to Duke Ellington's It Don't Mean a Thing.
What to do
- Follow the link | Head over to The Why Books website and answer some questions about this song and what you can see and hear in the video.
Go to The Why Books website
- What do you think? | Did you enjoy this song? Do you enjoy listening to this type of music? Jot down your answer and five musical reasons why for your teacher to look at.
Years 7-9:
Writing a rap
Getting started as a rapper is different for everyone. Some people pick it up by listening to tunes. Others have a friend who raps and can help them, while some learn the basics.
Have a go at writing your own rap using Derby Rapper Eyez’s beat from his own piece ‘Skool Daze’ with advice, tracks and videos on the Charanga website.
Go to the Charanga website
Years 7-9:
The Wellerman Tap Along
Everyone is talking about the Tik Tok hit sensation The Wellerman! Did you know it's based on a type of music called a Sea Shanty?
A Sea Shanty is a type of work song that sailors used to sing on board ship as they were hauling on ropes or pulling oars. The strong pulse running throughout these songs help the sailors keep in time with each other.
What to do
- Find | You'll need two things you can tap on a hard surface (e.g. two spoons, or two pens)
- Right and left | Follow the video and tap the patterns for line 1 in your left hand and line 2 in your right hand
- Challenge | Why not try doing both at the same time!? You might need a few practice goes at this
Keep learning
Continue your musical learning with us with more Music at Home, or find out how you could start learning to play a musical instrument.
Music activities and resources for children aged 11+, including for GCSE and A-Level, that can be done at home
Find out how your child can learn to sing or to play a musical instrument, with a range financial bursaries and instrumental loans available to support tuition.
Years 10-13:
Performing
As part of your course you will most likely have had to perform in front of other people at some point. Take a look at this YouTube video of Sting perform Message in a Bottle live.
What to do
- Follow the link | Head over to The Why Books website and answer some questions about this song and what you can see and hear in the video.
Go to The Why Books website
- Think | Consider Sting’s performance style and the audience he is performing to. If you were his musical adviser what feedback would you give on this performance – what works well, what might he have done differently?