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GCSE AQA Set Work Analysis: Paul Simon

Embark on the discovery of three innovative examples of fusion music – combining American folk and commercial rock styles with South African musical styles, including isicathamiya, mbube, mbaqanga and kwela. This guide explores the intricacies of the three selected Graceland tracks with insightful notes, activities and answers.

Very good concise writing, which will benefit learners’ understanding of Paul Simon in the AQA exam

R Brown, Teacher and Expert Reviewer

Supportive, confidence-building resources guide your students through their chosen Set Works. Encourage them to discover the analysis for themselves while developing listening and appraising skills for the exam.

1. Learn

  • Need-to-know context and pre-listening ‘Do It Yourself!’ tasks build a firm foundation for learning
  • Student-friendly analysis organised by musical element for structured learning – fully supported by annotated score extracts!
  • Keywords and musical terms fully explained in context

2. Consolidate

  • Regular consolidation tasks encourage engagement and build confidence to apply theory independently
  • Extension activities to challenge Gifted and Talented leaners
  • Revision poster consolidates key points
  • Comprehensive glossary

3. Put into Practice

  • Five sets of exam questions, containing three 2-mark questions and one 8-mark question – perfect practice for the real thing!
  • Top tips for exam success
  • Full answers and mark schemes for easy peer, self- and teacher assessment

Integrate into your class teaching, or set for independent learning – it’s up to you!

Amazing feedback for our 2016 Set Work Analysis:

"Matches the specification exactly...
... Constant links to the AQA information...
... One can feel secure that the author is an expert... all information is covered that could be asked for in an exam"
M Thiselton, Music Teacher & Peer Reviewer

"The written quality is excellent... engaging, interesting and easy to understand"
E Samson, Music Teacher & Expert Reviewer

"A highly successful analysis... which includes a wealth of musical language and knowledge as well as many relevant and helpful examples of questions to prepare students for the exam"
L Williams, Music Teacher & Expert Reviewer

"Best resource I have found!"
J Burtsell, Head of Music & Customer /

"I really could not add anything to enhance this fantastic resource"
K Tout, Head of Music & Peer Reviewer

"I was blown away by the in-depth knowledge"
R Davis, Director of Music & Peer Reviewer

Plus! New and improved – now organised by musical element for easier structured learning

What do teachers say about this resource? (10578)

An excellent resource that allows student to fully learn and later revise the Paul Simon set study pieces... The material is presented in a comprehensive way and there are excellent 2 marks and 8 marks questions at the end for students to practice... The many activities included in the unit greatly help students in fully absorbing the material... That the cost of this resource is fully repaid by the progress students can make... Perfect.

Joe P, Customer & Teacher

Nicely paced and succinct resource. The question activities are accurately exam based reflecting real exam situation and they are well structured. There is a nice variety of activity types with open ended practical tasks supporting exam methodology.

Very good scored notated questions and examples with clarity and depth.

The technical design of the resource is clearly well thought out and the author has consolidated the key elements of the 3 Paul Simon set songs in the selected notated and aural examples. The resource is categorised well providing a strong resource for learners.

The author has a good direct style of writing.

The author uses examples to illustrate musical key points reinforcing the musical contexts. Very good concise writing, which will benefit learners’ understanding of Paul Simon in the AQA exam.

The author demonstrates excellent musical pop knowledge and the level of questioning at the AQA standard is well judged. Just the right level of difficulty.

R Brown, Teacher and Expert Reviewer

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