Teaching With Media Tools Project

Title: The Structure of Music

Team: Sebastien, Grace, and Noah

Connection to Content and Context:

A.MR.1.2: Analyze musical works using correct musical terminology, in terms of the
interaction of elements that make the works unique, interesting, and expressive.
This lesson would likely take place in a high school theory class, maybe AP since the standard is
taken from the “Advanced” high school section. Students would analyze a pop song using the
language appropriate (or language that is synonymous) for form and analysis of a piece of music,
such as intro, verse, refrain (or chorus), bridge, outro, pre-chorus, etc. and use Padlet to share
their thoughts on the different sections. This should be a gateway to lead towards more formal
analysis down the road.

Question Sets:
1. Write down each timestamp for when you hear a change in the music.
2. Why did you pick these specific times? Explain your reasoning.
3. Are there any sections that repeat? What would you call this repeating section?
4. Could you come up with a form for the piece? (ABACDA...)
5. Does any section stick out to you in specific? Why?
6. Name another piece this reminds you of and explain why.

Model answers:
1. Section 1 (0:00-0:25), Section 2 (00:26-00:51), Section 3 (0:52-1:31), Section 4 (1:32-
1:58), Section 5 (1:59-2:38), Section 6 (2:39-3:09), Section 7 (3:10-end)
2. I chose this time because there was a significant change in the music. The voice came in,
the guitar came in, the drums came in, etc.
3. Yes, it may be called a chorus because that is a common term I’ve heard before for
repeating sections.
4. AABABAC, this is because of the different sections I’ve heard and what makes them
different.
5. The final section sticks out the most because of the different lyrics, instrumentation,
melody, etc.
6. Any answer is acceptable as long as students provide justification based upon the lesson.

These questions should be reviewed after the final lesson, and discussed as a class both times to
ensure that everyone understands the theoretical reasoning for the answers. The students will
need more assistance in the beginning, and should only answer 1-5 at first.
References
 AJR. 2019. Karma (Official Audio). Warner Bros. Retrieved from

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vy1JwiXHwI4

The Beatles. 2018. Hey Jude (Remastered 2009). Apple Records. Retrieved from

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bkApuQWCPdM&list=PLXUzK5lhj4Q1-

QUeT5fIs3v5o2lhZNe8c

Britney Spears. 2009. Toxic (Official Music Video). Jive Records. Retrieved from

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=2&v=LOZuxwVk7TU&feature=emb_ti

tle

One Direction. 2011. What Makes You Beautiful (Official Video). Syco and Columbia.

Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJO3ROT-A4E&feature=emb_title

Queen. 2008. Bohemian Rhapsody (Official Video Remastered). 20th Century Fox. Retrieved

from https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=19&v=fJ9rUzIMcZQ&feature=

emb_title

Stoubis, N. 2019. Basic Song Structure Explained. Fender Musical Instruments Corporation.

Retrieved from https://www.fender.com/articles/play/parts-of-a-song-keep-it-straight