Page 45 - Year 8 Spring 2026 Knowledge Organiser

Performing Arts: Music Focus: Stems, Loops, Lyrics and Melody: 3 of 3

Electronic Dance Music (EDM) Listen and respond
Electronic Dance Music (also known as EDM) grew out of Disco and German Electronic music in Is this a new style of music for you? Does
the late 1970s, with the development of electronic instruments like synthesizers, samplers and it have an unusual time signature? What
drum machines. The increased availability of these tools meant that producers could create
complex music in a recording studio, without live musicians, by sampling sounds from existing is the musical and social focus?
records. The music was designed to encourage people to dance, as nightclubs became more
and more popular throughout the 1980s. By the 1990s and 2000s, many different types of EDM
had emerged, including House, Techno, Trance and Drum n’ Bass. Today, EDM is played by DJs in
clubs and at festivals all around the world.
Musical Building Blocks

What is the time signature of your piece?

Key vocabulary What is the key of the music? How can I
Stem A short musical idea or track (e.g. tell this is EDM?
drums, bass, vocals) that can be mixed
with others to make a full piece.
Loop A short section of music that repeats
again and again.
Lyrics The words of a song. Explore and Create
Melody The main tine of a piece of music.
Chord When three or more notes are played What is the journey of your song? How will
together. Songs to explore it start and end? How will your song link to
Bassline The low, supporting pattern of notes • Look into the Nigh by Joanna our drama focus of Alice in Wonderland?
that helps give the music its groove. Mangona and Chris Taylor
Drumline The repeating drum pattern that keeps • Amazing Grace, arranged by Chris
the beat and drives the music.
Taylor
Composition Creating your own piece of music. • Sunshine on a Rainy Day by Joanna
Time The numbers at the start of the music
Signature that tell you how many beats are in Mangona and Chris Taylor Share and Perform
each bar and what kind of beat they • Que Llueva, Que Llueva, arranged
are. bu Chris Taylor How can you reflect on your rehearsals to
Key The group of notes a piece of music is • Disco Fever by Chris Taylor and refine your performance?
built from, which helps give it its overall Joanna Mangona
sound or mood. • Storms by Max Wheeler