a short, recognisable melody that is the main musical idea for a composition

when a musical theme is repeated with changes

a structure in music where the main theme is stated at the beginning and then repeated throughout, but changed in some way each time

a large musical ensemble, combining instruments from the string, woodwind, brass, and percussion families

Warm-up check - major or minor - audio

British English CC

Warm-up check - major or minor - video

Warming up, clapping on the right beat - practise

Warming up, clapping on the right beat - challenge

Copy the leader, four beats behind

NCO talk about working together in an orchestra

Listen to the harpist describe their instrument

Listen to the clarinettist describe their instrument

Percussion section

Jonathan James explores musical structure

Jonathan James explains Britten's masterwork on theme and variations

Main theme

Oboe - explanation

Oboe - variation

Harp - variation

Harp - explanation

Task C - Theme and Variations song 

Theme and variation as a musical structure

Music

Learning a musical theme

Composing a rhythmic variation to a theme

Composing a melodic variation to a theme

Composing a further variation to a theme

Practising and performing composed variations on a theme

In this unit, pupils will compose short variations on a given simple theme using glockenspiels or online keyboards on tablets or laptops. Exploring examples of theme and variations such as 'The Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra' will create an understanding of how this structure is formed.

Compose and Create: creating melodic variations based on a theme

the theme stays the same without any changes

the theme is repeated but changed slightly each time

the music is always completely different every time

the theme disappears after the first time

What happens in a piece of music that uses theme and variations?

Match each instrument to its section in the orchestra.

Changing the melody by adding more notes is one way to create a {{}} of the theme.

theme music is for films or games, theme and variations is a musical structure

theme and variations is always played on one instrument only

What is the difference between theme and variations and theme music?

the combination of two or more notes played together, creating a pleasing sound

the organisation of notes around a central note, the tonic

a song structure where groups sing the same melody but start at different times

a repeating musical pattern which can be rhythmic or melodic

Which of these best describes a theme in music?

Someone who creates music to perform is called a {{}}.

The orchestra has four main sections: strings, woodwind, brass and ...

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

Theme and variation as a musical structure

Lesson outcome

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.