Hi guys,

I was just wondering what you think of the GCSE music course. I have heard some people say that it is pointless if you have already taken grade 5 practical and theory (which I have), and I have heard others say that it is great and you do some really great stuff. What do you get up to in lessons and has anyobody who is in my position actually made any use of it?

Hi.

It did nothing for me. It was quite Classical based (for me...boring) and there was lots of listening lessons. We learnt a wide voabulary of words and had to do a lot of coursework (which ddnt get marked but i wont get too personal here).

In terms of beneficialllty (i like creating words), it did me no good what so ever and I wish I had taken French. (I can do french better now considering a french girlfriend/fiancée to be) but I wish I had replaced Music with it. Endless lessons of sleep it was.

I guess it also depends on your Musical Department at the School. Ours was on par with going to a grocery store.

If you think you will enjoy it, do it. But considering your credits, I'd learn the stuff in your own time and take up, like I wish I had, a more academic subject...for you can always take Music to a higher level with private study

Dan

it is really pointless ist soo boring this week we're learning about time signatures and how to count bars and phrases- how booring - all you can do is stick with it and just keep thinking thats another gcse under you're belt.

Ive done grade 5 theory and practical but am also taking GCSE music.
Its great and definitley not a waste of time!! I only did the theory so i could take higher grades(if i get round to it) and never went into that much depth, so GCSE is teaching me a lot of new things.
Im also very proud of my 1st composition!

I always thought it was a waste of time (although i was at school before gcse's were even thought of !!).I belive Music at school is all about music in general where grade 5 etc is all to do with one seperate instrument.

Hey!

GCSE music was great and you get the chance to experiment a lot with the composing side which i really enjoyed. The listening side was slightly boring but a lot different from Grade 5 theory. Also as you are at a good standard you will find it pretty easy to achieve a good grade in it and as its something you enjoy it will give you a break from some of the more heavy subjects.

I'm doing GCSE and parts of it are quite boring but a lot of it is really good! At the moment we're doing dance music which goes from things like pavanes to disco which I think is interesting.
The only part i don't like is the composing-i don't mind composing but we're told what to put in the composition which I dont like.

Ask yourself why you would do GCSE music

It is probably a waste of time as it stands on its own to someone who has already gained several grades.

But you will have to do a number of gcse's anyway, why not do this one which will be a lot easier to you than a subject in which you are not yet at gcse standard? It would be a doddle for someone such as yourself, and will give you more time for your other gcse's, and out of school stuff.

Plus, if you want to do a-level music, which will definately be a step up from grade 5 theory, you will probably need the gcse., and you will need the alevel if u want to do a degree in music.

So I think you will probably benefit from doing it, because it will get you out of doing a gcse in another subject which you have to learn from scratch!!

(it saved me from doing gcse history...)

in any case the gcse encompasses a little history and teaches you a wider spectrum of knowledge than how to play and how to complete a theory paper - history, composition, directing etc.

hope this helps.

It's definitely not a waste of time. Okay, so if you have done theory and have a high practical grade, a lot of it may be familiar to you but there will always be little misunderstandings that can be cleared up in Music class. These might only be small things that maybe needed cleared up but it always helps. Being in a Music class lets you socialise with other musicians and see how they are in relation to theory, performance and composititon. Some people may think it is a waste of time but in my opinion, there is always more to learn.........

GCSE Music is a highly enjoyable and extremely useful course. When I took it, I already had Grade 8 on 2 instruments and Grade 7 on the piano as well as Grade 5 theory, yet I still found it stimulating and lots of fun.

There are things you can learn from GCSE that aren't covered in the ABRSM syllabi; for instance, discerning between the eras of music, and you learn a lot about modern recording technology.

You also get opportunities for composition. You can only do 8 bars of that in Grade 5 theory... for GCSE it can be as long as you want, for as many instruments as you want, and you have absolutely ages to get it brilliant! (Or as near to brilliant as you can...)

The only part of GCSE Music that is in any way similar to the ABRSM exams is the Performance Recital - and even that has its differences - you have to play with an ensemble, for a start.

Please don't dismiss GCSE Music as useless for those who are Grade 5+. It helps anyone, even people who already have Grade 8s/diplomas. (Incidentally, in my GCSE class, there were 5 people who had Grade 8 on at least one instrument, and the whole class [29 of us] had at least Grade 5 on one instrument). Believe me, it's a good course.

It is very classical-based like Jazzman340 said, I had fun because we had a small group and a great teacher. It is entirely your decision as to what GCSE's you take! If you are intending to take A level music, GCSE music is a must, a girl in my music class didn't take GCSE and is really struggling at AS. What do you enjoy of your current subjects? That might give you some indication to what you want to study for GCSE.

In my opinion, any time that you spend involved in music is beneficial, plus if you're good at it, it's an easy good grade which all equal points for colleges.

Thanks for all your comments, you have put my faith back in the course! I've now decided to take History, French, German, DT Food and Music.

Cheeble: Wow, you obviously had a very good Music class. In ours there are 4 of us who are around Grade 7, the majority with less than Grade 5.

I think it also depends a lot of the music department and the teacher.

You've made the right choice!
Also, if you want to make music part of your future, I suggest doing GCSE music, you may as well.
It will stand you in good stead if you want to do AS-level, A-level and university or college.
You never know what could happen in the next four/five years.
It will also supplement your theory and aural tests...the more words you know the better.
I'm doing A-level and most of it is a revision of stuff dredged up from a couple of times before.

It may not be good (depending on your school, dept and teachers) but stick with it,
and you could always go on and do it at another school after. Think 'access!'

Bearing in mind that you are 16 in Year 11 GCSE year and it is certainly possible to have a G8 by then and now these points are included on your UCAS form, then why take GCSE music.

At my kids' school, those who were G8+ had a choice and usually did not take GCSE music, but were v.closely involved in helping those taking it with their perfomances. I mean the Chamber group had six G8 who were not taking GCSE music and two who were. When no. 2 daughter took her GCSE music, no. 1 daughter (singing) returned from her music college to perform with her.

If the GCSE music students were going to a recital, opera, the jazz cafe or a lecture on film music, the students who were not taking the exam but were on the Head of music's list of music students, they would tag along also and rarely missed out.

However If you wanted to go onto a music degree you had to take the A level music regardless of whether you had a diploma or not, had been teaching for two years or what! The Head of Music was quite concrete about that, you had to have a G8 (or the GCSE music at B grade if you had taken it)

At sons school a new teacher arrived at the time of music GSCE and one student did 'scratching' on turntables as part of his performance! (Got an A too) Son was miffed as he didnt get the opportunity to do same.
It really depends on your school and how flexible your music head is.

If you want to do something different, do your research ask to see the sylabus and present your punk band as part of your perfomance and you never know ...

You took the same options as me (except the tech, we only got to do four), and I really hope you're doing the Modern World history course, for if you've let yourself in for Social & Economic...good luck!

I am currently doing gcse music and i think its ok but can me borin somtimes. it really does depend on what kind of music your into if your into classical music then this is defintly the choice for you but i am dum at english and great at music so i would say that. if you want to do then donnt listen to what other think about it there normal the ones that are goin to have a bad life anyway good luck on your choice

hi, i'm also in the middle of taking my options and i;m thinking about doing music. At the moment it is a choice between music and drama coz my mum only wants me to take one `less academic` subject. I sing, play the piano, and play the clarinet and i have a lot of pressure from various teachers and parents to do music. I enjoy music and will probably end up doing it.
The only thing i am worried about is composition, we have never been given much help with composition at my school and i am worried that i am not going to be up to standard. I was wondering how much of the course relys on compostition and if you get more help at GCSE. Any advice would be appreciated

We only do 9 at my school so i only get three choices. i'm doing history and German and music/drama
I'm doing dual science and we have to do french

We do 10 (but I'm doing 12). We have to do one Dt, at least one language and three of our own choice.

QUOTE (cheeble @ Feb 7 2005, 06:59 PM)

GCSE Music is a highly enjoyable and extremely useful course. When I took it, I already had Grade 8 on 2 instruments and Grade 7 on the piano as well as Grade 5 theory, yet I still found it stimulating and lots of fun. There are things you can learn from GCSE that aren't covered in the ABRSM syllabi; for instance, discerning between the eras of music, and you learn a lot about modern recording technology. Please don't dismiss GCSE Music as useless for those who are Grade 5+. It helps anyone, even people who already have Grade 8s/diplomas. (Incidentally, in my GCSE class, there were 5 people who had Grade 8 on at least one instrument, and the whole class [29 of us] had at least Grade 5 on one instrument). Believe me, it's a good course.

It was probably more enjoyable in your class since you didn't have to waste time explaining things to most of the class who couldn't even read music
Also, you have to discern between eras of music for ABRSM Aural tests (from Grade 6, I think?). You obviously had a great time with an able class, but I think many people here weren't lucky enough to be in that situation. I received no help whatsoever with composition or performance - therefore the teachers only had to teach 1/3 of the course. Sat back and left us to our own devices.
My piano teacher did A Level music without doing GCSE Music (for the reason that it would be a waste of time). As long as you can prove you have reached an adequate standard to be able to cope with the demands of the course, then hopefully it shouldn't be a problem. Anyway, GCSE is hardly a solid foundation for the more theoretical demands at A Level. Grade 5 theory teaches you much more about musical theory. I would say that a good Grade 5 in theory and practical far more worthwhile and of a higher standard than even an A at GCSE.
I guess I am biased against GCSE Music, having been completely bored and not enjoyed my lessons, having to do my performance on inadequate instruments (being a pianist). I don't get on with the teachers either, which is why I'm doing my A Level in the same year elsewhere. But that's not to say that if you have a great class and teacher, like cheeble did, that you won't enjoy the course. And as others have said, it's an extra GCSE with relatively little effort.

I've just begun GCSE music this year and I'm really pleased I chose it!
Firstly, our school is working to become a centre of excellence for music, and so the class sizes at GCSE music are really small (No more than 15 in a class, and yes, there is more than 2 classes!). We get loads of guidance, whereas my friends doing GCSE art are in a class of 30, and so get much less guidance.
About the composing, i am a Grade 7 flautist, and once you get the hang of it, composing is OK. Having already done G5 theory helps, and we've started off with simple compositions and worked up!
Its a great course and anyone who is thinking about taking it should!

I am just completing my GCSE music course, and it's great. It's really different from grade 5 theory, and any other practical exams. You have to do two compositions, and three performances, so it's really varied; there is something for everyone and you learn about lots of different types of music, like salsa and bhangra. it's really good fun and i really recommend it.

At my daughters school the emphasis is on classical music. Every year there is a music leavers concert (Year 13) which is the performance of the A level students, usually about 20 or so. In no. 2 daughters music leavers concert (about three years ago) all went well with the various soloists and chamber groups classical compositions performed. Then the orchestra rose and left the Hall to appropriate applause.

Enter a lad (in jeans!) with an electric guitar who pluged into his amp and played his - I can only describe it as - a rock/heavy metal piece, which then ended v. suddenly! He got up bowed and said he hadnt named it yet, which was why it wasnt in the programme the audience was studiously studying! The so-called sophisticated audience of parents and goveners who were totally stunned didnt clap for (what seemed like) about five mintues and the music director had to stand and start the clapping off.

Well this lad didnt just chip away at stone. He broke the concrete and subsequently the music leavers concerts are far more varied with contemporary music for A level compositions. Even had a bhangra/sitar piece once! It just takes one persistent person to give it a go and explore and compose a wide variation of music. That lad went on to the Paul Macarthy Music School in Liverpool to do contemporary music, and the school duly added him to their list of "Gone to Music College". I have no doubt when he eventually collects his award at a Brit Award, the Alumni Association will be in touch

Our Easter concert is our leavers' concert. it is not directly for them but they are all encouraged to play a solo piece on their instrument and they are traditionally given a badge in the shape of their instrument. Its strange but I know people who still have theirs after a few years!

You have a choice- take and pass gcse music or end up like me ! i had talent -grade 5 piano at 14 and going places,then messed up with theory and stacking shelves in a supermarket still, at 36 ! id have been a concert pianist by now with a degree and regret not taking exams which is another reason why im getting back into it after a 12 year absence-you dont wnt to waste talent even if it is manafactured.


Yorkie

QUOTE (hannah @ Feb 12 2005, 05:39 PM)

It was probably more enjoyable in your class since you didn't have to waste time explaining things to most of the class who couldn't even read music

That sounds familiar....

Hmm......

I'm year 10 GCSE music... It's ok, not really that interesting and its stuff that I've done before but I do think thats its worth it. I mean its just an easy thing to do and not have to stress out about (I should be stressed though because I am SO bad at composing its unreal!) We're doing a lot of boring things now like extended vocal techniques (sorry to those who are into that!) and experimantal stuff but I cannot wait until we get onto musicals! What I like about GCSE music is that you don't really have to try (I know sounds awful) but if you're already quite good at music then you should just do it especially if you want to do it for A level and higher... thats the only reason half of us are doing it (we have to have GCSE if u wanto to do A leve at my school) But some people in the class are sturuggling wiht composition. Some girls are really good musicicans but really bad composers so you know... depends...

coolh5000: If you like music AND drama I would SO do Drama because it is just such a fun course and really enjoyable... more than music (well at my school) I do music, drama, history, Spanish and 1/2 graphic design with triple science (whhhyy?) and sometimes I wish I could swap music for Art or something because I do find the lessons a liiiiittle bit boring!

I got a Grade B for GCSE music, i was never very good and not even grade 1 piano, so i don't know how i managed that! blagged the written exam i suppose, people who had been playing instruments years got the same grade as me, so i dont know how good a reflection it is on musical talent really.

I loved GCSE music. Theory doesn't teach you EVERYTHING you learn at GCSE. For example, you get to compose and perform, and you analyse music...

I'm currently studying AS level music at sixth form. and even though I've looked through theory books, most of the stuff I'm learning, is not in the books...

I go to a specialist arts college. And althouhg I have a passion for music, I have not enjoyed the course one bit. It may be due to our teaching - but at a specialist arts school you dont expect it to be so bad.

The areas of music we study such as serialism and minimalism are rather boring and just sound like a load of mess. The course is all composition based apart from about 10% of your overall mark basd on performance alone.

I play the flute and clarinet and sing. I love performing and well music in general. But I feel that the course doesnt set up potential performers of music. Instead it is a study of music, A study of differnt styles etc etc. Which is ok if you want to learn about exotic styles of music - but not if you want to perform. I know tis good to have a goodmusical knowledge - however I think that there is too much focus on that and not on performance and technique.

I'm really dissapointed with this course - but it hasnt ruined my love for music. Althouhg I, and alot of other students will not be taking Alevel music next year!

[QUOTE]I was just wondering what you think of the GCSE music course. I have heard some people say that it is pointless if you have already taken grade 5 practical and theory (which I have), and I have heard others say that it is great and you do some really great stuff. What do you get up to in lessons and has anyobody who is in my position actually made any use of it?

Well Purple Dolphin, if you are good at music and have an avid interest in it then G.C.S.E is certainly not a waste of time. If you have taken grade 5 theory then you should be able to sail through your G.C.S.E with no trouble and there is no reason why you shouldn't attain an A*. And you can definately make use of an A* - think about how good it will look on your CV when applying for jobs whether they are to do with music or not.

Wehen I did my G.C.S.E music (in 1996) I had already taken my grade 5 theory too and it helped a great deal and as a result I actually found the course quite easy - with all the other subjects demanding a lot of work it was great to have one that I could actually not worry about.

As for what we did - there was a lot of emphasis on the music history side of things - learning the different periods and the dates and key composers from those periods - this is a good overall knowledge which you need to know. Composition also features a large porportion as far as I can remember -0 I'm sure it's still the same. Performance also forms a part with some aural tests, and a listening exam also features. There's really nothing to it but it is quite a varied exam and depending on your teacher (and people in your class) it can be quite exciting.

Hope that helps.

Hey!
I think GCSE music is boring, but thats only because i go to a school where no one can even read music!! But still life goes on.....

I did my grade 5 theory and practical on piano right at the start of my GCSE course (in November/December of Year 10) and the knowledge and experience from both of these was of great help when doing the course. I do not in the least think that GCSE music is a waste of time though a lot does depend on your music teacher and the support that you get. Music is one of those subjects where its really up to the teacher to make it interesting and if the teacher cant be bothered then it could be quite bad lol Im nearing the end of my course now with my performing and terminal task exams for it only a couple of weeks away (i really am starting to panic now) but im not regretting taking it in the least because i think its a great course where you learn a lot about different styles of music that you wouldnt necessary learn through independent study and it helps a lot with your understanding and "appreciation" of music. or well thats what i think anyway

hope this helps
luv
trish x

has anyone else heard the clapping piece for minimalism??? we tried to well.. clap it today and its really hard! its been good lookin at different things like minimalism and experimental music especially.
I have also enjoyed the coursework side, composing and performing has been good and has persuaded me to take it at A level. I have already passed g5 theory and g8 treble recorder exams but there it a good deal still to learn from the gcse course.

I know what you mean, my schools music department is even worse!!!!

What does the terminal task involve? I know that it counts for 15% fo the overall gcse (OCR), but what do you actually have to do for it?

QUOTE (purple dolphin @ Feb 5 2005, 04:25 PM)

Hi guys, I was just wondering what you think of the GCSE music course. I have heard some people say that it is pointless if you have already taken grade 5 practical and theory (which I have), and I have heard others say that it is great and you do some really great stuff. What do you get up to in lessons and has anyobody who is in my position actually made any use of it?

I think you probably cover some - shall we say less traditional areas in GCSE music

My school's GCSE music is only good because of our teacher, Davo (Mr Davison). He's really cool, if a little...eccentric...some of the people are alright, but others are stuck so far up their own *bleeps* they become really annoying...

QUOTE (purple dolphin @ Feb 5 2005, 04:25 PM)

Hi guys, I was just wondering what you think of the GCSE music course. I have heard some people say that it is pointless if you have already taken grade 5 practical and theory (which I have), and I have heard others say that it is great and you do some really great stuff. What do you get up to in lessons and has anyobody who is in my position actually made any use of it?

Hi there i am an alevel music student and i just thought that i shoul reply to this. I personally feel that if music is something that is a passion in your life then yes go for teh gcse. gcse is great fun and yes it is harder at a level but atfter gcse if you don't liek it you don't have to consider it!
Do you play an instrument?
Just because you have done grade 5 theory it doesn't mean to say you are going to know everything.
Music gcse is very good, but that is if you enjoy it? Ask yourself this question because personally ifeel that people takes these gcse's and a levels without thinking about it. Yes your vocabulary is extended. Don;t think that just because you have grade 5 theory you don't have to do as much work and that you can chill out is hard!
Anyway think on it plz send areply!
thnx

kazaa

GCSE Music can be a great thing to do, or it can be really pointless, depending on a lot of things. In my school, you don't have to have done GCSE Music to do A level, and I honsetly don't think I would have found A level music any harder if I hadn't done GCSE. My class for GCSE was really musical- there were 12 of us and in the end 9 got A*s and 3 got As so we didn't need to be taught most of the syllabus. I think it's been made quite easy so as to be accessible to people who start the GCSE course without actually playing an instrument, as you only need to be Grade 1 by the end of the 2 years (in the syllabus we did anyway). My class basically did no work for the 1st year and half other than listening to the odd set work and talking about it occasionally. Our teachers usually just left us to it. We weren't 'taught' composition- we just wrote whatever we wanted and brought it to be looked at. Everyone had done their Grade 5 theory so one of our teachers decided to teach us the Grade 6 theory syllabus 'for fun'. I did my entire composition portfolio in the 2 weeks before the final deadline. As for the performing aspect, our school assumed we would sort that out with our instrumental teachers and took no part in it. I didn't learn anything from the GCSE music syllabus that I didn't know already (at this stage I was working for Grade 7 theory and had done Grade 8 practical) other than some details about a few set works, which included Queen's 'We are the Champions' and a movement from Schubert's 'Trout' Quintet- hardly very taxing!
I'm glad I did it in that it was an easy A* and I got placed in Northern Ireland for it which looked impressive, and I certainly had fun having 4 periods a week where I did no work, but on the other hand, I had to choose between German and Music and as I was unable to make the decision I ended up studying German on my own after school one day a week. Now that I think back on it, I could just as easily have saved myself the trouble!

You know, you SHOULD take GCSE music!

Since I was a late decider, I did not do GCSE music (also because it clashed with my science). Now I just look at everyone else who have done it and thins

It's great experience!!

I think a lot of people are missing the point of what qualifications are for.

You may know all the theory in the world, and be able to play to professional standard, but without any grades or qualifications how will you prove it? Admissions tutors for a level, degrees, colleges have so many applicants they dont have time to investigate the ability of someone who says they are good, they want to see it on paper.

Even if you have grade 5 theory and some practical performance grades, these still dont mean a lot to most employers. And even if they do, when faced with the choice between two candidates, both with grade 5 theory and 8 practical, both doing a good audition, one has gcse music and not the other, who do u think is gonna get called back? Any qualification is useful, unless it is directly beneath the level of another one (like if u have a-level in a subject no one is interested in your gcse). This is not the case with gcse music and abrsm grades - gcse covers many aspects of musical education not touched by abrsm. Also, even if you dont NEED it to get on to an a-level, it will help both to sell you to admissions tutors in schools, as well as help you get to grips with the work. Why put yourself at a disadvantage to the rest of the class?

As an aside, as for some comments about gcse composition being directed, the idea is that you can work to a brief. Many teachers will let you cheat by tweaking your brief a bit after you have finished!!

i find the course soo boring. Ive got grade 5 theory and grade 3 jazz piano, and im sat there knowing key signitures, and all the linguo, and there are people around me look confused when the teachers says c major has no sharps or flats! at least its an easy A next june, just wish it could be made moe interesting for more advanced musicans. peace out peeps.

QUOTE

I think a lot of people are missing the point of what qualifications are for.

Better to have one extra GCSE in another subject than 2 in the same subject.

QUOTE

Admissions tutors for a level, degrees, colleges have so many applicants they dont have time to investigate the ability of someone who says they are good, they want to see it on paper.

They will recognise the ABRSM exams and accept them like they have done for years.

QUOTE

when faced with the choice between two candidates, both with grade 5 theory and 8 practical, both doing a good audition, one has gcse music and not the other, who do u think is gonna get called back?

The candidate with the theory and practical considering people have passed GCSE music of Grade 1 practical standard.

QUOTE

Why put yourself at a disadvantage to the rest of the class?

How can they possibly reach Grade 7/8 in 2 years combined with other workload commitments?

QUOTE

Many teachers will let you cheat by tweaking your brief a bit after you have finished!!

What clever teachers you know! Surely this places the candidate in an even worse position if approaching A level?


The roots of education are bitter, but the fruit is sweet.

Hi Purple Dolphin,

I think GCSE music is great! I was actually taking GCSE music in the same year I was doing my grade 5 theory and grade 5 piano practical. It does help having a good standard in performance as well as theory when doing GCSE.

I was told that for the performance in order to gain the highest possible mark, you had to have grade 5 practical. To do GCSE music, my teachers recommended I had a good understanding of theory. I thoroughly enjoyed my course, apart from composing.

In my GCSE performance I played a grade 5 piano piece that I got 28/30 on in my pratical exam and I got nearly full marks on that part of the assessment.

People who were around grade 5 standard in practical and in theory got a B or more. I got one mark off an A!!! GUTTED!

I was in your position, and I did it! Thoroughly enjoyed it. It is up to you though!



Plummi x

So does anyone know anything about A level music/ music tech?
Im doing my GCSE music at the moment and im really enjoying it- mainly because of the severe lack of homework.
I have learnt some interesting stuff about world music and things like that which I wasn't taught in g5 theory but I think the GCSE is made to cater for such a wide range of musical abilities that its a bit rubbish sometimes. Plus there are so many different styles of music that require so many different teaching methods that people are always gonna have problems.
But the lack of homework is giving me more time on the internet.
Im not complaining.