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      Developing a video game theme

      I can develop a video game theme using pulse and rhythm.

      Copyrighted materials: to view and download resources from this lesson, you’ll need to be in the UK and

      Lesson 2 of 5
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      • Year 10
      • AQA

      Developing a video game theme

      I can develop a video game theme using pulse and rhythm.

      Copyrighted materials: to view and download resources from this lesson, you’ll need to be in the UK and

      Lesson details

      Key learning points

      1. It is important that a video game theme song captures the atmosphere of the game.
      2. For a high-energy racing game, the theme song should create a feeling of excitement and energy.
      3. We can use fast, rhythmic percussion layers to add excitement.
      4. We can also create an energetic driving bass line to add to this energy, including using chord notes and passing notes.

      Keywords

      • Theme song - a piece of music that introduces a film or game and captures its overall atmosphere

      • Chord tone - a note that is included in the chord

      • Passing note - a note that links two chord tones by step

      Common misconception

      Complex music sounds most exciting and energetic.

      Not necessarily - sometimes the most energetic music is that which emphasises the pulse and uses driving rhythms. Sometimes if music is too complex, with many busy layers of sound, it can sound chaotic and messy rather than energetic.

      This unit is a good opportunity to engage pupils who are keen gamers. Challenge pupils to analyse the theme songs of games they play and to link that analysis to the concepts explored so far. For pupils who aren't gamers, consider using the Halo theme as a good starting point.
      Teacher tip

      Equipment

      DAW, notation software, keyboard or other suitable instrument as a composition tool

      Licence

      This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2026), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

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      Lesson appears in

      UnitMusic / Extending understanding in film music: video game music

      AQAMusic

      EduqasMusic

      OCRMusic