The variety of tasks in GCSE music
is itself a problem

One of the great developments in GCSE music has been the expansion of the course to include many of the things that a “real musician” has to do.

Whether the individual is playing in an orchestra or a rock band the issues still arise. Directing, rehearsing, unprepared performance, group playing, group singing, form, harmony, composition, arrangement – all of this is relevant to every form of music that is being performed.

The problem is, however, that the range of topics is so huge that it is impossible to imagine one volume that covers them all from the student’s point of view.

Yet that is the task that Judith Bailey set herself when preparing “Making Music”, and it does indeed work. The book comes in photocopiable form or as a CD which can be loaded onto the school’s intranet or learning platform so that all may share in the information.

To me, this is a most interesting approach, and one that is worthy of a look. There are sample pages available on line at http://pdf.firstandbest.co.uk/music/T1557.pdf

The volume not only includes practical illustrations and numerous musical examples, it also includes graded tests, tests for singing and playing, and compositional projects.

A key element in this volume is the way in which the book forces the students to focus on the central issues of performance, so that all actions are made as a result of clear decisions rather than whims, and of course it is this approach that allows the students to apply their learning to all forms of music making.

The graded tests allow you to see exactly where the students have progressed to and which areas need to be revised before proceeding with the course.

Here are the publisher’s details.

Making Music by Judith Bailey ISBN: 978 1 86083 600 8 Order code: T1557EMN
Order details:

Formats please specify when ordering
Photocopiable book: £19.95 plus £3.95 delivery
CD: £19.95 plus £3.95 delivery
Photocopiable book plus CD: £26.94 plus £3.95 delivery

Methods of ordering
By post to First and Best, Hamilton House Mailings plc, Earlstrees Ct., Earlstrees Rd., Corby, Northants NN17 4HH

By fax on 01536 399 012

By phone with a credit card or with an official school order number on 01536 399 011

On line with a credit card http://shop.firstandbest.co.uk/product_info.php?products_id=410

In each case please quote our reference T1557EMN