The Pop Song

Further Ideas

• More detailed work on song analysis, with a focus on structure, creating tension, textural variety, and use of lead and backing vocals, could be undertaken either before a practical activity or during the creative process.
• Song writing is a useful way for students to get involved in the local community and in national music events. It can usually be linked with work in other curriculum areas fairly easily (for example, a health song, an environmental song, even a litter song).
• Composing a pop song can easily fit into work looking at the development of pop music or the contemporary styles of pop music.
• The work on texture, timbre and structure which would inevitably result from this programme would clearly be transferable into other aspects of music work at Key Stages 3 and 4 (performing, composing, listening and appraising).
• The opening sequence is useful in highlighting the need for students to evaluate their own work.