a musical genre originating from the 1960s that includes the layering of multiple short, repeated musical ideas (cells) that subtly change over time

simple musical patterns that can be rhythmic or melodic (on ostinato in minimalism)

the organisation and feel of the beats, beginning with a strong beat

the pattern of sounds and silences that we play and sing

Spring's Embrace by Marty Gionis

British English CC

Spring's Embrace (violin cell)

Rhythm D: Ta Ta-dimi Shh Ta (Clave)

Rhythm E: Ta-mi Ta (Clave)

Rhythm F: Ta Taka-mi Taka-mi Ta (Clave + Voice)

Rhythm A: Ta Ta-di Ta-di Ta (Clave + Voice)

Rhythm F: Ta Taka-mi Taka-mi Ta (Clave)

Rhythm A: Ta Ta-di Ta-di Ta (Clave)

Rhythm B: Takadimi Ta-di Ta-di (Clave + Voice)

Rhythm B: Takadimi Ta-di Ta-di (Clave)

Rhythm C: Takadi Ta Takadi Ta-di Ta (Clave + Voice)

Rhythm C: Takadi Ta Takadi Ta-di Ta (Clave)

Rhythm D: Ta Ta-dimi Shh Ta (Clave + Voice)

Rhythm E: Ta-mi Ta (Clave + Voice)

Fruit Canon (3 part round)

Fruit Canon (backing track)

Bele Mama (unison)

Bele Mama (2 part round)

Bele Mama (unison into 4 part round) 

Bele Mama (accompaniment - unison into 4 part round)

Fruit Canon (unison)

H.E.L.L.O (four part round)

Whole Body Warm-up backing track

Creating and notating a repeating minimalist cell

Music

The key features of minimalism

Adding more minimalist cells to create a thicker texture

Building a minimalist piece

Notating a minimalist piece

Rehearsing, performing and appraising a minimalist performance

This unit introduces minimalism with its repetitive, hypnotic, short musical cells. Pupils will use Terry Riley’s In C to inspire their compositions. Working in groups, pupils will create short musical cells and decide how to use these to create and rehearse a larger minimalist piece.

Compose and rehearse: creating and combining minimalist cells

What is the duration pattern in the rhythm Taka-mi?

A cell in minimalism can form an {{}} if it is repeated consistently throughout the piece.

In minimalism, texture is built through the {{}} of simple cells.

True or false? Music always has four beats in a bar.

the speed of the music - how fast or slow the music is played

the combination of different layers of sounds

Match the musical element to its definition.

A {{}} is like a musical thought, like a sentence in a story.

When we sing in a choir, or play in a group, we are part of ...

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

Creating and notating a repeating minimalist cell

Lesson outcome

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