GCSE (9-1) Music Learner Resource 1 - Activity 6 Conventions of Pop

Learner Resource 5

Activity 6 – Area of Study 5 (Conventions of Pop)

Introduction

This resource gives you some suggestions as to how you might approach an Area of Study 5 composition brief.

The activity

Sample Brief: Create a pop/rock song, suitable for performance at a local pop music venue.

What is this brief asking me to do?

The venue is important here. Your composition will not be performed in a concert hall but in a local pop music venue. Your chosen combination of instruments is therefore unlikely to be a string quartet, but more of a popular band set up with some vocals, as is typical of the kind of musicians you would find in the brief.
You will need to demonstrate an understanding of appropriate popular music structures, vocal and instrumental techniques, as well their roles and how they interact with each other.
You will also need to demonstrate any understanding of key features of your specific popular music style.

What do I need to consider?

Make sure your chosen instrumental combination is suitable for your chosen style, for example, if you are going to write a ballad, you will no doubt need a piano or guitar, bass instrument, drumkit and vocals.

Wider listening

Once you have decided on your chosen style, you should do as much wider listening as much as possible. Make a start with the ‘Suggested Repertoire’ from the OCR Specification (pages 44 and 45). Make notes on the key features of the style and consider the following:

Chord sequences are often repeated – how is the melody varied over this?
In many pop songs, there is a strong hook or riff. Is this true of your chosen style?
Structure. Most pop songs are in a verse-chorus or strophic. If you don’t use the set of words, where will your words come from?
Word setting – how will you get your words to fit your melody or vice-versa. Many ballads contain melismatic word setting as well.

Which stimulus should I choose?

You will find that you will be able to seek inspiration from a number of the stimuli: the note pattern, chord sequence or set of words. The rhythm may also form an ostinato in your accompaniment.

Where to start

This will really depend on the kind of composer you are and how you respond to stimuli.

If you choose the set of words, say them out loud and repeat them. Your melody may start to form here. Don’t be afraid to sing and say things repeatedly. The set of words will be short so you will need to add more lyrics of your own.
Don’t panic about writing rhythms down accurately at this stage – there are plenty of ways to present your score and this should not be the most important thing you worry about.
If you like the set of words, but you can’t come up with a melody, consider choosing the note pattern and begin setting your words to it, or choose the chord sequence. Again play your chord sequence over and over again and use your voice to experiment with a melody over the top.

What will make my composition successful?

The OCR is looking for a ‘highly musical, stylish and effective’ piece. In terms of this brief, you should consider the following (this is not necessarily an exhaustive list):

Use of musical elements: is your melody suitable for the voice? Have you set it appropriately to your chosen words? Is your accompaniment appropriate to the style?
Development of ideas appropriate to the style: Are there any suitable hooks/riffs? If you have written your own chord progression, is it suitable? If you have used the chord sequence stimulus, have you changed progression between sections?
Stylistic conventions: Have you used typical chord progressions where appropriate? Does your composition contain appropriate interaction between instruments and vocals for the chosen style?
Structural conventions: Does your structure suit your chosen popular music style? Is it strophic? Verse-chorus? How does the texture of your different sections change or stay consistent, depending on your style? Is your chord sequence the same throughout or do different sections have different sequences?

Practical Component