the type of notes and chords that a piece of music is based on (e.g. minor, major, atonal)

the way that notes combine to create chords and the way that those chords are used in a composition

the specific set of notes that a piece is based on (e.g. C minor)

which sharps or flats should be used in a particular key, written at the start of each stave

a combination of two chords at the end of a phrase or section

What is the tonality of this clip?

British English CC

Ode to Joy tonality

C major scale

A minor scale

Listen to each of these phrases: clip 1

Listen to each of these phrases: clip 2

Compare these two examples: clip 1

Compare these two examples: clip 2

How would you describe the feeling created by at the end of each clip? Clip 1

How would you describe the feeling created by at the end of each clip? Clip 2

Which of these is a perfect cadence and which is imperfect? Clip 1

Which of these is a perfect cadence and which is imperfect? Clip 2

Describe the feeling of this interrupted cadence

How can you tell the difference? Clip 1

How can you tell the difference? Clip 2

Which of these is plagal (IV-I) and which is perfect (V-I)? Clip 1

Which of these is plagal (IV-I) and which is perfect (V-I)? Clip 2

Check: what is this cadence?

Task B audio

Harmony and tonality in Western classical music

Music

An introduction to the Western Classical tradition

The orchestra

Music for small ensembles

The voice in Western classical music

This unit introduces pupils to the Western Classical Tradition. It explores chamber, orchestral and vocal ensembles, musical features and key composers from the Baroque, Classical and Romantic periods, and takes a broad look at tonality and harmony across these periods.

The Western Classical Tradition (1600-1910)

Which chords are most commonly used in cadences?

Which cadence sounds “finished” and complete?

Which cadence sounds “unfinished” or like the music will continue?

how notes combine into chords and how those chords are used

composers experimented more with harmony and chromaticism

Which of these is true about the Romantic period?

Which of these keywords means “a combination of two chords at the end of a phrase or section”?

In the Baroque, Classical, and Romantic periods, music was almost always written in which tonalities?

Which period experimented more with chromatic notes and unusual harmonies?

whether a piece is in a major or minor key

Which composer belongs to the Classical period?

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

Harmony and tonality in Western classical music

Lesson outcome

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