Each publication is also available in computer file format (Adobe Acrobat .pdfs and iTunes .mpegs)  £45.00

(Includes permission to use on a network / multiple computers AND permission to print off worksheets.)

Multiple copies of the CDs for student use are also available (pack of six) £25

Available now   EDEXCEL MUSIC TECHNOLOGY

PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL AUDIO TRACKS INCLUDED IN THIS PUBLICATION ARE SUPPLIED ON THE CD AS MPEG FILES.
 

These can be used with either `iTunes` or `QuickTime` software - both of which are available free on the internet.
 

You can of course very easily make up your own audio CDs using `iTunes` if you so wish.

(Please click on sample page thumbnails to see full sized page.)

Index / Contents page for this publication.

Task 1A: Sequenced Realised Performance

Exercises and examples illustrating good (and poor) practice in the realisation of accurate and musical performances using computer based sequencing software. Audio and MIDI files are included and students will be able to study and emulate the techniques needed to produce a realistic and stylistically effective sequence covering a whole range of instruments and styles.

The emphasis is on short (4 - 16 bar) exercises that can be quickly covered in preparation for (or working in parallel with) the actual coursework exercise.

A sample page from`Section 2 - Note Input`. This page deals with the concept of `Groove Quantise` with illustrative MDI and audio files.

A sample page from `Section 4 - Pitch Bend and Modulation`. Some short examples and exercises to help students to effectively reproduce note bending and vibrato in their sequencing work.

A sample page from`Section 6 - Guitars`. Some short examples and exercises to help students to effectively reproduce produce convincing guitar techniques - `real` guitar chords, strummed chords (down and up strokes), string bending, use of effects etc.

Some short exercises based on the song `Baker Street`. Students are able to practice working with skeleton scores as well as audio tracks. The short exercises give students an insight into working procedures without consuming too much time.

Task 1C: Creative Sequenced Arrangement

Arrangement - a series of short examples designed to enable candidates to identify and reproduce the characteristic features of a range of styles which they might be required to use in their own arrangement work, with appropriate audio tracks.

Over twenty different styles are covered in this material - including reggae, rock`n roll, jazz, blues, boogie woogie, big band, heavy metal, punk, New Age, funk, rhythm`n blues and a range of dance styles.

The folk song `Sloop John B` is used as the stimulus for a series of short arrangements which illustrate the characteristic features of a range of musical styles and how to integrate them with the original melody.

Only the first part of the melody is used in each track, so that students can complete the arrangement in their own work, using the given model.

These arrangements are also quite widely differentiated in standard of difficulty, so that students of all abilities can benefit.

LISTENING and ANALYSING   Unit 2

Section B:

An overview of the Special Focus styles set for the next five years (2009 - 2013)with full historical background, characteristic stylistic features and specifically related vocabulary, relevant bands / artists etc. Practice questions based on the Edexcel specimen paper - some of which are accompanied by relevant audio tracks on the CD.

However, most of the tracks are not included due to the fact that the cost of obtaining permissions (which we would inevitably have had to pass on to you) would have been greater than the 79p per track they cost on the internet. Furthermore, permissions for a number of tracks were simply not available, which restricts the scope of the questions.

Exact timing details of the extracts needed are provided with instructions for download from the internet.

Information on the background and characteristic features of each of the eight Special Focus styles is presented in easily digestible bullet points.

There are three complete (sets of) questions for each Special Focus style with mark schemes in the Teacher Pack.

Student Workbook £6 (102 x A4 pages)    

Teacher Pack £20 (Teacher Book including mark scheme + 98 audio tracks in mpeg format / 43 MIDI files on CD)

In our 2008 publications, we will be re-using SOME relevant material from our existing publications, but it will always be reprocessed into a format relevant to the new specifications. In particular, all practice questions will be presented in the format used by the exam boards in their new specimen papers.