Study Guides

Unit Summary

This unit introduces pupils to 90s Grunge music, including the context of the style and its other musical influences. Pupils learn about the main musical features and about extended pop song structure, riffs with power chords, harmonic rhythm and phrase structure in melody and lyric writing.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to add an intro and outro to your grunge composition and create a vocal melody for at least one section.

Key Notes

• The intro and outro are important parts of a structure - they provide the 'frame' for the main content of the song.
• The intro and outro are usually based on musical ideas from the verse or chorus.
• The intro is an opportunity to introduce some of the musical ideas and set the mood for the song.
• The outro provides a neat ending to the song. It is not used in all songs.
• We can make an instrumental melody vocal by adapting it to fit the rhythms of words.

Vocabulary To Learn

• Intro: The intro (short for introduction) is the first section of a song, that introduces some of the musical ideas and set the mood for the song.
• Outro: The outro is the final section of a song that provides a neat ending, often based on musical ideas from other parts of the song.
• Texture: The texture of a piece of music is how many different layers of sound are heard at the same time. We can describe it as thick (many layers) or thin (few layers).

Common Mistakes To Avoid

• Singing a melody is only possible if you are a very strong singer.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

More Lessons In This Unit

• Contrast in grunge Study Guide
• Fills and variation in grunge drum beats Study Guide
• Riffs and power chords in grunge Study Guide
• The use of the drum kit in grunge Study Guide
• Writing an instrumental melody Study Guide