Weblinks and videos for use with 11492 – GCSE AQA Area of Study Guide: Popular Music
Spotify Playlist
Contextual information for each genre with listening references
Film and computer gaming music 1990s to present
Steven Spielberg praises John Williams
Music of Broadway 1950s to 1990s
Introduction Activity
The Phantom Of The Opera | 2021 West End Trailer
West Side Story: first performance 1957
'Something's Coming'
YouTube
Grease by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey: first performance 1971
'Summer Nights'
YouTube
The Lion King by Elton John, Tim Rice and Hans Zimmer: first performance 1997
'Shadowland' by Hans Zimmer
YouTube
Consolidation questions for Music of Broadway 1950s to 1990s
Question 2: 'Wilkommen', from Cabaret
YouTube
Question 3: Chicago
YouTube
Rock music of 1960s and 1970s
Introduction activity
'Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band'
YouTube
Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band by The Beatles (1967)
'Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band'
YouTube
Hammer-ons and pull-offs
Interview with Ken Townsend about ADT and DIT
'Within You Without You'
YouTube
'Stairway to Heaven' by Led Zeppelin, IV (1971)
'Stairway to Heaven'
YouTube
Consolidation activities for rock music of 1960s and 1970s
'Norwegian Wood' by The Beatles (1965)
YouTube
'Money' by Pink Floyd (1973)
YouTube
Film and computer gaming music 1990s to present
Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl soundtrack by Klaus Badelt (2003)
Introduction activity
'Fog Bound'
Watching and listening activity
Trailer for Fantastic Beasts: the Secrets of Dumbledore by James Newton Howard (2022)
YouTube
'Old Snake' from Metal Gear Solid 4, track by Harry Gregson-Williams (2008)
'Old Snake' by The Beatles (1965)
Consolidation activities for film and computer gaming music 1990s to present
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, soundtrack by John Williams (2004)
Key terms for Film and computer gaming music 1990s to present
Timpani roll
Tremolo
Pop music 1990s to present
'Easy on Me' by Adele
YouTube
'My Universe' by Coldplay and BTS (2021)
YouTube
'The Joker and the Queen' by Ed Sheeran (2021)
YouTube
Consolidation activities for Pop music 1990s to present
'Overpass Graffiti' by Ed Sheeran (2021)
YouTube
Further musical features included in the AQA specification
Guitar techniques
Power chords
Palm mute
Slide guitar / bottleneck
Slap bass
Scales
Pentatonic
Drum techniques
Rim shot
Vocal techniques
Belt
Rhythms
Shuffle
Practice exam questions: Set A
'The Great Gig in the Sky', Pink Floyd, from the album The Dark Side of the Moon, 0:00 to 1:30
YouTube
Practice exam questions: Set B
'Discovery' from the film Don't Look Up (2021): play the full track
YouTube
Practice exam questions: Set C
'Willow' by Taylor Swift (2020): listen from the start to 0:46
YouTube
'Tomorrow' from the musical Annie (first staged 1977): listen from the start to 1:07
YouTube
Glossary
Timpani roll
Tremolo