Year 8 - Music
The role of the instruments and the bass pattern
The 12-bar blues
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This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
In this unit, pupils learn about the 12-bar blues, the stylistic and musical features of blues music and the role of the instruments in a blues ensemble. They develop an extended improvisation and build a stylistic blues performance.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to describe the roles of the instruments in a blues ensemble and you can perform a blues bass pattern.
Key Notes
- There are four main instrumental roles in a blues ensemble: the melody, chords, bass and drum groove.
- The melody is often performed by a singer. The piano, guitar, bass and drum kit play an accompanying role.
- The piano, guitar and instruments such as the harmonica and brass can play melodic lines which are often improvised.
- We have learned to play a syncopated bass riff with the 12-bar blues chords.
- Syncopation in the music drives the music forward and helps create a blues feel.
Vocabulary To Learn
- ensemble: a group of musicians performing together e.g. a choir, band or orchestra
- improvise: to create music or a musical idea on the spot
- syncopation: when the rhythm emphasises (accents) notes in between the main beats
- riff: a short repeated musical idea used in popular music
- bass: the lowest pitched part in the music
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- All instruments have a fixed role and only the drums drive the music forward.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain the lesson in two key points.
There are four main instrumental roles in a blues ensemble: the melody, chords, bass and drum groove. The melody is often performed by a singer. The piano, guitar, bass and drum kit play an accompanying role.
2. What does this key word mean in this lesson? 'ensemble'
a group of musicians performing together e.g. a choir, band or orchestra.
3. Correct this common mistake.
Mistake: All instruments have a fixed role and only the drums drive the music forward. Correction: The guitar and piano can be melodic as well as accompanying. Different instruments can drive the music forward, and all players in the ensemble are responsible for this.
More Lessons In This Unit
Browse all guides in the Year 8 Music guide library.