Refining ideas and adding expression
I can improve my composition by adding expressive detail and making effective musical decisions.
Copyrighted materials: to view and download resources from this lesson, you’ll need to be in the UK and
- Year 11
- AQA
Refining ideas and adding expression
I can improve my composition by adding expressive detail and making effective musical decisions.
Copyrighted materials: to view and download resources from this lesson, you’ll need to be in the UK and
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Refining focuses on improving existing ideas rather than adding new material.
- Adding expression (dynamics, articulation, tempo) shapes the music and makes it more engaging.
- Expressive features should shape phrases and highlight important moments.
- Musical decisions should be purposeful and suit the brief, genre and instrumentation.
Keywords
Expression - the use of musical elements to add feeling and character
Dynamics - how loud or quiet the music is
Articulation - how individual notes or groups of notes should be played or sung
Automation - changing parameters (e.g. volume or effects) over time to add expression
Common misconception
Adding more markings is the same as adding expression.
Markings must be appropriate and consistent. A forte marking on a relaxing piece, or dynamics only at the start, do not demonstrate expressive understanding.
Equipment
Pupils may be working on their composition using notation software or a DAW. They may need access to a piano or their instrument.
Licence
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