Year 9

An Introduction to Disco!

In this lesson
I will become familiar with Disco music by exploring its context and key features I will be able to describe and identify: - The musics pulse/beat - A Hook or Riff - The Disco drumbeat

Context
Disco was the dance music of the 1970s It was first introduced in nightclubs in the USA Had its roots in soul, jazz and funk Lighting technology improved People danced on their own

Clubs before the 1970s

Clubs in the 1970s

Feature 1: Pulse
What is a pulse in music? Describe the pulse of this song

Feature 2: A Hook
What is a hook? Part of a song that catches the ear of the listener. In other words it's a lyrical line, melodic phrase or rhythm that makes the song memorable.

Feature 3: Instruments
What instruments can you hear in the music? What/how are they playing?

Feature 3: Drumbeat

Bass Drum Plays on every beat: Snare plays on beats 2 and 4: Hi-hats play offbeat quavers:

1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 (4 to the floor) 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 (Backbeat) 1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and

D.I.S.C.O!!!
In what decade did Disco music start up? Name 2 things you would expect to see in a Disco venue Why does disco music need a steady pulse? What is a hook? Can you name a famous hook? Can you describe the disco drumbeat? - What drums does it use? -What does each drum play? How do people dance to disco? (Hint: Think about the John Travolta video!)

CHALLENGE!!
We are going to become Disco Divas by creating our own group performances of a popular Disco track!

In this lesson you will

Aurally identify the key characteristics of Disco, such as a hook Develop your performance/ ensemble skills by learning to perform a part of a famous disco song from simple notation

Listening Task
Whilst you are listening, think about.. What instruments can you hear? What are the instruments doing? What key features of Disco can you identify? What is the tempo of the song?

Bass line

CCCC C C C C

Keyboards

Drumbeat

1 X

&

2 X X

&

3 X

&

4 X X

&

Available Parts
Bass line Vocals Drumbeat Hook

Group 1: Classroom Melissa Danni Ema Jessica Georgia

Group 2: PA Khaleda Zoe Laura Michaela Rosie

Group 3: PA Olivia Emma Hannah Tyler

Group 4: PA Amy Rachel Olivia Sarra

Group 5: PA Daniella Alex Phoebe Sophie

Group 6: Classroom Tasha Flora Ria Tilly

In this lesson I will

Show an awareness of disco musics context and key features by: - revising what we discussed last lesson - Putting what we learnt into practice by performing an arrangement of Funky Town Show that I can play in time with others and/or a backing track

Disco musics structure

Introduction Verse 1 Chorus Verse 2 Chorus Middle 8 Chorus Outro

Technology
Extra sounds are often added by drum machines Backing loops are made using sequencers Loops are played repeatedly throughout the song Microphone used to sing vocals Reverberation/reverb added to vocals Amplified instruments Multi-track recording

Performance Task: Individual work

Play the hook in time to a backing track Play the bass line in time to a backing track Play the Melody in time to a backing track EXT: Play two parts at the same time

Performance Task: Pair Work

Play the bass line/hook/melody/chords in time with each other/backing track EXT: Play two different parts together, in time with each other/backing track

Performance Task: Group Work Make your own arrangement of Funky Town Must be in time to a backing track Could include: - Vocals - Bass line - Hook - Melody -Chords (in the chorus)

Important Points
You MUST play in time to a backing track Groups must include instruments, cant be all vocals Aim for at least 1 verse and 1 chorus Maximum of 5 pupils per group Be creative: This is your arrangement!

Parts available:
Lyrics Keyboard Hook Bass line Guitar/keyboard chords (for the chorus)

In this lesson I will:

Demonstrate my knowledge and understanding of Disco music by composing a disco track that uses some key features discussed in class

Disco composition
What features do you think your disco composition should have?

Disco Composition
Your compositions must have: A Hook A bass line A drum beat A simple melody with lyrics Aim for an introduction, verse and chorus

Lyrics
Gotta make a move to a Town that's right for me Town to keep me movin 'Keep me groovin' with some energy Well, I talk about it Talk about it Talk about it Talk about it Dance boogie wonderland Dance boogie wonderland Burn Baby Burn, Disco inferno You make me feel mighty real Ah ah ah ah Staying Alive

To assess your progress this unit using a self assessment sheet To demonstrate your knowledge and understanding of disco through completing a short quiz