GCSE / A LEVEL / BTEC MUSIC ASSISTANCE

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Are you struggling with your GCSE composition?

Or you're not sure which performance piece to chose? 

Need help understanding some of the music theory jargon?

Can't get your head round the software you have to use?

I can help with many of the music coursework requirements.  

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I have helped several students get through their Music GCSE coursework, by means of recording & assisting them in writing their compositions, and have also recorded students performances who wern't able to get a recording off their teacher. I can also offer help with A level and Btec music requirements. 

 

PERFORMANCE

 

The standard performance grade for GCSE music guitar is grade 5. Here are some recomended pieces below:

*some of these songs have been simplified and arranged to work with the grade 5 standard 

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• Any Rockschool Grade 5 piece. (electric guitar / hot rock / acoustic guitar sylabus's available) 

• 'Tears In Heaven' - Eric Clapton (acoustic guitar)

• 'I'm Tore Down' - Eric Clapton (Great for a duet piece!) 

• 'The Boys Are Back In Town' - Thin Lizzy (RGT arrangement*)

• 'Under The Bridge' - Red Hot Chili Peppers (RGT arrangement*) 

• 'Sweet Child O' Mine' - Guns n' Roses (RGT arrangement* - there is no crazy solo...few!!)  

• 'I Bet That You Look Good On The Dancefloor' - Arctic Monkeys

• 'Money' - Pink Floyd

• 'The Pretender' - Foo Fighters 

• 'Take Me Out' - Franz Ferdinand 

• 'Don't Look Back In Anger' - Oasis 

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For AS Level the requirement is Grade 6 and for A2 level you're looking at around grade 7 and above. 

My advice is don't pick the hardest piece knowing you won't be able to play it acuratley enough. If the performance is sloppy then you'll be marked worse than someone who picked an easy piece and performed it well. But don't pick something that's too easy either. Choose wisely! Often you're given serveral chances to re-record if you know you can perform it better. 

For AS/A Level Music you will need to pass ABRSM grade 5 theory. Click here for more info 

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COMPOSITION

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For GCSE you have to compose two compositions that are around 3-5 minutes long. These must showcase an understanding of structure, harmony, melody, motif development and dynamics. I can help you arrange and develop your ideas to ensure you get the highest marks. Your school's computers should be kitted out with a decent DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) for which you can use to write and record your music. Logic Pro X is the latest DAW that Apple have released on the Mac and is great for recording your composition onto. Garageband is also another programe that can assist for this composition task. However these recording programes are quite difficult to use, yet are essential to know. Click here if you'd like to book some lessons learning how to record music using 

Apple's Logic Pro X or Garageband.   

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Read some examples of students I have helped

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