Music at key stage 3 (Year 8)

Unit 9: Music for dance (exploring musical conventions)

About this unit

This unit develops pupils' ability to recognise, perform and create African dance music with an understanding of musical conventions and processes, eg the use of mnemonics. In this unit pupils learn about Gota dance music, and explore musical conventions. They apply and develop rhythmic skills and the ability to play in an ensemble.

This unit is expected to take 5-14 hours.

Sections in this unit

This unit is divided into sections. Each section contains a sequence of activities with related objectives and outcomes. You can view this unit by moving through the sections or print/download the whole unit.


	1. Introduction: what are the characteristics of African dance music?
	2. Exploration: how can we learn to use the conventions in the dance forms? (1)
	3. Exploration: how can we learn to use the conventions in the dance forms? (2)
	4. Exploration: how can we learn to use the conventions in the dance forms? (3)
	5. Exploration: how can we learn to use the conventions in the dance forms? (4)
	6. Exploration: how can we learn to use the conventions in the dance forms? (5)
	7. Application: creating dance music