V-Cert Music Technology
Producing Dance Music
UNIT 6 – Stage 1
Riley Burgess
NAME…………………………………………………………..
YOU WILL: Understand key features of dance music styles and structures
UNIT 1: Marking
Criteria
Pass
Merit
Distinction
1.1 - Identify the main dance 􏰀 music
styles
Candidates identify the main 􏰀 dance
music styles
No Merit for this AC
No Distinction for this AC
1.2 - Identify musical and cultural
developments that have influenced
the main dance music styles
Candidates identify musical and
cultural developments that have
influenced the main styles of dance
music
No Merit for this AC
No Distinction for this AC
1.3 - Describe the main rhythmic
features common to dance music
styles
Candidates describe the main
rhythmic features common to dance
music styles
Candidates demonstrate critical
understanding of the main rhythmic
features common to dance music
styles, giving a range of examples
Candidates demonstrate critical
judgment in the exploration of a
range of rhythmic features
1.4- Describe the main structural
features common to dance music
styles
Candidates describe the main
structural features common to
dance music styles
Candidates demonstrate critical
understanding of the main
structural features common to
dance music styles, giving a range of
examples
Candidates demonstrate critical
judgment in the exploration of a
range of structural features
1.5 - Describe the sounds and
instrumentation common to dance
music styles
Candidates describe the sounds and
instrumentation common to dance
music styles
Candidates demonstrate critical
understanding of the sounds and
instrumentation common to dance
music styles, giving a range of
examples
Candidates demonstrate critical
judgment in the exploration of a
range of sounds and
instrumentation
Producing Dance Music
1.1 – You should produce a timeline showing a variety of different styles of
popular dance music. You should include Bands/Artists from the 1970’s, 1980’s,
1990’s, 2000’s to present day.
1970
1980
1990
2000
2010
2015
1970




Bee Gees: Disco
Gloria Gaynor: Disco
The Trammps: Disco
Rose Royce: R&B
1980
 Michael Jackson: Pop
 De La Soul: Hip hop
 Madonna: Pop, electronic.
1990
 Pet shop buys: Electronic pop
 Black eyed peas: Pop
 Take that: British pop
2000
 Fedde le grand: house music, electro. 2001
 Jay-z: Pop- 2001
 Avicci: club. 2003
2010
 Justin bieber: Pop- 2008
 Adele: Soul. 2008
 Katy perry: Pop. 2000
Producing Dance Music
1.2 – Pick a minimum of 3 bands or artists from your timeline and give specific
details about them. For example you could name some of their songs/tracks.
You should also try to give some specific musical characteristics of the tracks.
Michael Jackson
Eminem
Ed Sheeran
Songs/Track Billie jean, thriller,
s
beat it.
Rap god, lose
yourself, not afraid,
mocking bird.
Don’t, Friends,
Thinking out loud.
Instruments Drums, bass, guitar
used
,vocals ,
Vocals, drums, piano,
Acoustic guitar,
Electric guitar, drum
(uses guitar).
2
interesting
facts
Estimated to have sold He won the best
750 million albums in
rapper award.
his career.
Ed has won 40
awards for his music
and has been
nominated for 111.
Producing Dance Music
1.3, 1.4, 1.5 – Now think about the different styles of pop music. You should now
describe some of their key features.
TIP: Add some hyperlinks to musical examples of the style to support your
description. (feel free to change any genres listed). The table below is a guide.
You may wish to produce 1 slide per style showing your musical features.
Rhythm Feature
Structure
Instrumentation
Disco
Four-on-the-floor,
syncopated, high hat
Verse chorus structure,
extended instrumental
sections.
Guitars, drums, vocals,
wind instruments,
orchestral strings.
Club dance
four-on-the-floor rhythms
Syncopated synthslines
layered textures. Tension
and release sections that
lead to drops
Electric guitar, acoustic
guitar, bass, drummer,
vocals.
Rock
Repetitive Riffs. Syncopated
Lead guitar passages
Intro, verse, bridge, chorus,
verse 2 , bride, outro.
Electric guitar, Acoustic
guitar, bass, drums,
vocals.
Rap
Four-on-the-floor,
syncopated lyrics.
Verse chorus structure.
Sometimes singing sections
(eg choruses)
Vocal, piano, drums and
synth.