GCSE Music

[Sazzlesw2]

It is options time in our house.

When looking at the list the first one that stood out for DS was Music, but he doesn't play an instrument. He tinkers around on the keyboard and picks up pieces really quickly when they learn them at school.

My question is, is it possible for him to get up to speed on the keyboard if he started proper keyboard lessons now (Y9). He is a fast learner and has a maths brain that helps with patterns of notes etc

I have a feeling it is not but don't want rule it out as it's the only one he has shown a slight interest in so far!

I’ve had pupils do it. It does depend on which exam board they do- EDUQAS requires Grade 3 as ‘standard’ and I would imagine that an able and keen year 9 student would be able to learn 2 keyboard pieces plus an ensemble in that time with careful repertoire choices and good practice.

However, the performance element is not the most challenging I would say. Reading and understanding music is necessary for the higher grades as there is listening and analysis on the exam. He’ll need to compose two pieces.

Best port of call would be to discuss with his music teacher. Best of luck!

Thanks, that is useful information. He can read music, but when I told him he would have to compose two pieces it was met with an immediate "I'm not doing music"!

Time to look at the other subjects in more depth, especially as he has ruled out Art and D&T (rightly so he has inherited my inability to do anything vaguely arty)

Music is a reasonably easy option if you have instruments at high grades and practice is something you just do anyway.

Piano/keyboard definitely helpful for the composition part, which carries the same weight as the performance section.

Yes, you could do it from scratch, but to target the top grades I think it would be hard.

For performance component, grade 4 required as standard by Edexcel is also perfectly achievable on the keyboard with daily practice.