Fusion and the evolution of musical styles
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can identify the musical influences in fusion pieces of music and I understand that musical styles are always evolving.
Key learning points
- Fusion music is when two or more different styles of music are combined together to create something new.
- Fusion music often blends different cultural elements or genres from different eras.
- It is possible to recognise the stylistic features of the different musical influences in fusion music.
Keywords
Fusion - the process of blending different musical styles, genres, or traditions to create a new, distinct sound
Bhangra - a lively form of music and dance that originated in the Punjab region in South-east Asia
Hip-hop - a genre characterised by rhythmic and rhyming speech (rapping) delivered over a strong, programmed beat, often incorporating sampled sounds
EDM - Electronic Dance Music, refers to musical styles originally created for dancing in nightclubs, raves and festivals
Common misconception
Music from other parts of the world is 'traditional' and remains unchanged.
All music changes over time as different musicians shape it with their own creativity.
Teacher tip
In listening tasks, when discussing answers with the pupils, help them to hear the feature being discussed, if they had not previously identified it, with teacher guided listening to the track again.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
4 Questions
Q1.In 4-time, the organisation and feel of the beats is...
Q2.Rhythms that emphasise weak beats or in between beats are...
Q3.A question and answer musical structure is sometimes called 'call and ...'.
Q4.When music is created in the moment, it is ...
Assessment exit quiz
4 Questions
Q1.Three features of hip-hop music are...
Q2.True or false? Folk or traditional music always stays the same.
Q3.True or false, EDM is a type of dance music.
Q4.These instruments are common in bhangra:
To help you plan your 6 music lesson on: Fusion and the evolution of musical styles, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 6 music lesson on: Fusion and the evolution of musical styles, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 2 music lessons from the Playing together: arranging and rehearsing a fusion performance unit, dive into the full primary music curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.