GCSE Music Theory

This video series will help you go through the basics of the GCSE music exam. The course will cover both listening and theory, with each video ending with a quiz to test your knowledge. This course will be useful for both those currently studying for the GCSE paper, and those who are looking to learn the fundamentals of music theory.

The topics covered are:

Musical Language

Chord Identification - Learn how to identify chords using Roman numerals

Phrases and Cadences - The building blocks of music. Learn about the most common types, and how to identify each.

Texture - Learn to differentiate between the three most common textures: Monophonic, Homophonic and Polyphonic

Ornamentation - Learn about the tools composers used to embellish their works. There are many different types of ornaments, and this video covers the ones you will most likely come across. These include trill, turns, mordents (upper and lower), acciaccaturas, and appoggiaturas.

Instruments of the modern orchestra - An introduction to the orchestra, giving an overview of the different sections

Musical Forms and Composers

Classical Periods 1600-1910 - Learn about the developments in music that took place between 1600-1910, simplified as the Baroque, Classical and Romantic periods

The Requiem - Covers the history and key features of the musical form: Requiem

Aaron Copland's Rodeo - This is a set work and one that will need to be learnt in a lot of detail. This video covers everything you need to know to ace the essay questions, with musical examples to help.