There are a number of key concepts that underpin the study of music. Pupils need to understand these concepts in order to deepen and broaden their knowledge, skills and understanding.
1.1 Integration of practice
a. Developing knowledge, skills and understanding through the integration of performing, composing and listening.
b. Participating, collaborating and working with others as musicians, adapting to different musical roles and respecting the values and benefits others bring to musical learning.
1.2 Cultural understanding
a. Understanding musical traditions and the part music plays in national and global culture and in personal identity.
b. Exploring how ideas, experiences and emotions are conveyed in a range of music from different times and cultures.
1.3 Critical understanding
a. Engaging with and analysing music, developing views and justifying opinions.
b. Drawing on experience of a wide range of musical contexts and styles to inform judgements.
1.4 Creativity
a. Using existing musical knowledge, skills and understanding for new purposes and in new contexts.
b. Exploring ways music can be combined with other art forms and other subject disciplines.
1.5 Communication
a. Exploring how thoughts, feelings, ideas and emotions can be expressed through music.
Explanatory notes
Performing, composing and listening: Performance, composing and listening are interrelated. Pupils should be encouraged, for example, to develop listening skills through performance and composition activities. Knowledge, skills and understanding in each of these areas should be developed interactively through practical music-making.
Participating, collaborating and working with others: Music is a social experience in which each performer and listener contributes to the whole experience. Music activities help pupils develop as effective team workers and participators by providing opportunities to play a full part in the life of their school or wider community.
Understanding musical traditions: The way we respond to music is determined to a large extent by our culture. We need to learn how and why music is different if we are to appreciate unfamiliar music.
Engaging with and analysing music: This includes engaging with music through performance and listening, and appraising music that covers a range of styles, genres and traditions.
Wide range of musical contexts: Pupils’ awareness and experience of a wide range of music should be broadened through the key processes of performing, composing and listening.
Combined with other art forms: This includes music linked to video, film, dance or drama.
