7th Grade Album Review Rubric
Excellent 100% - 90%
Above Average 89% - 80%
Average 79% - 70%
Below Average 69% - Lower
Genre Discussion: Student has discussed the
genre of the album by using specific musical
language to describe the style of music.
Student has specifically described significant
departures from the genre that dominates the
album using specific songs as examples.
Student has used specific examples of
instrumentation to describe the genre. Student
has used specific geographical location to
determine genre if possible.
Instrumentation: Student has successfully
identified what main instruments are used in
the making of the album and by whom they
are played. Student has described specific
examples of outstanding musicianship or
instruments that helped a song stand out.
Student has used many examples of musical
language to describe how the instruments
contribute to the overall listening pleasure of
the album. Student has specifically discussed
instruments that are not common to the
album or band and their overall impact on the
album.
Lyrical Content: Student has discussed lyrical
content at length. Student has discussed the
overall theme, if any, and provided numerous
examples to show this. Student has described
some of their favorite lyrical passages using
numerous examples. Student has discussed
interpretation of the meaning of various lyrical
examples and how that contributed to the
listening experience.
Student’s Opinion: Student has offered a
detailed opinion of their album and has used
many examples explaining why. Student has
discussed how the music on the album affects
them emotionally. Student has discussed their
opinion of the artist’s values.. Student has
given a score between a ½ star and 5 stars and
backed that up with many reasons why.
Student has discussed how the album could be
improved upon.
Grammar, Spelling, and Writing: Student has
thoroughly checked their work for and
corrected all mistakes including errors in
spelling, punctuation, and grammar.
Genre Discussion: Student has discussed the
genre of the album by using somewhat specific
musical language to describe the style of
music. Student has described one or two
departures from the dominant style of music
using specific songs as examples. Student has
generally described instrumentation that can
determine the genre. Student has used general
geographical location to determine genre if
possible.
Instrumentation: Student has successfully
identified what main instruments are used in
the making of the album. Student has
generally described outstanding musicianship
on any given instrument with one or two
specific examples. Student has used some
examples of musical language to describe how
the instruments contribute to the overall
listening pleasure of the album. Student has
briefly discussed instruments that are not
common to the album or band and their
overall impact on the album.
Genre Discussion: Student has briefly
discussed the genre of the album using little
musical language to describe the style of
music. Student has mentioned that there is a
departure from dominant genre, but not given
specifics. Student has briefly and very generally
described how instrumentation helped to
determine genre. Student very briefly
mentioned geographical location to determine
genre.
Instrumentation: Student has partially
identified the main instruments used in the
making of the album. Student has briefly
described instances of outstanding
musicianship, but has not provided examples.
Student has used very few examples of musical
language to describe how the instruments
contribute to the overall listening pleasure of
the album. Student has mentioned one or two
instances of instruments uncommon to the
band or album.
Genre Discussion: Student has incorrectly or
lazily discussed the genre of the album using
little to no musical language to describe the
style of music. Student has not mentioned any
departures in style from dominant genre.
Student has not described how
instrumentation helped determine genre.
Student did not mention geographical location
to determine genre.
Lyrical Content: Student has discussed lyrical
content somewhat. Student has discussed the
overall theme, if any, and provided one or two
examples to show this. Student has described
few of their favorite lyrical passages using few
examples. Student has discussed
interpretation of the meaning of few lyrical
examples and how that contributed to the
listening experience.
Student’s Opinion: Student has offered a
general opinion of their album and has used a
few examples of songs, lyrics, moments,
instruments, or styles that stood out or were
not as good. Student has briefly discussed how
the music on the album affects them
emotionally. Student has given a score
between a ½ star and 5 stars and backed that
up with a few reasons why. Student has
mentioned spots that the album suffers.
Grammar, Spelling, and Writing: Student has
checked their work for and corrected some
mistakes including errors in spelling, grammar,
and punctuation.
Lyrical Content: Student has discussed lyrical
content very briefly. Student has barely
mentioned an overall lyrical theme and given
no examples. Student has described one or
two of their favorite lyrical passages using two
or fewer examples. Student has briefly
discussed interpretation of the meaning two or
fewer lyrical examples and how they
contributed to the listening experience.
Student’s Opinion: Student has offered a
general or poorly supported opinion of their
album and has used very few to no examples
songs, lyrics, moments, instruments, or styles
that stood out or were not as good. Student
has barely mentioned how the music on the
album affects them emotionally. Student has
given a score between a ½ star and 5 stars with
no back up as to why.
Lyrical Content: Student has not discussed
lyrical content. Student has not mentioned an
overall lyrical theme of any kind. Student has
not described any favorite lyrical passages.
Student has not interpreted any lyrical
examples nor discussed how they contributed
to the listening experience.
Grammar, Spelling, and Writing: Student has
briefly checked their work for and corrected
few mistakes involving errors in spelling,
grammar, and punctuation.
Grammar, Spelling, and Writing: Student has
not checked their work for nor have they
corrected any mistakes involving errors in
spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
Instrumentation: Student has not identified
the main instruments used in the making of
the album. Student has not mentioned any
instances of outstanding musicianship. Student
has used little to no examples of musical
language to describe how the instruments
contribute to the overall listening pleasure of
the overall album. Student has not mentioned
any instruments uncommon to the band or
album.
Student’s Opinion: Student has offered poorly
stated and supported, or no opinion of their
artist at all. Student has not mentioned how
music affected them emotionally. Student has
not given the album a score at all.
7th Grade Album Review Rubric