Using samples
I can create a composition based on samples.
Copyrighted materials: to view and download resources from this lesson, you’ll need to be in the UK and
- Year 9
Using samples
I can create a composition based on samples.
Copyrighted materials: to view and download resources from this lesson, you’ll need to be in the UK and
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Composers have used recordings of sound in their music since recording technology was created.
- This ranges from abstract-sounding musique concrète, to using samples of sound and music in popular music styles.
- Sampling is the process of creating samples - clips of pre-existing sound or music that are used in a new way.
- To create samples, we isolate individual sounds.
- We can then combine them in a new way to create a musical pattern.
Keywords
Sample - a clip of pre-existing music or sound
Sampling - the process of creating and using a sample
Unpitched sound - sound that lacks a clear pitch (e.g. a clap)
Musique concrète - a style of music that is based on recorded sounds (e.g. cars, doors)
Common misconception
Samples are always non-musical sounds.
This is not true - a sample is any pre-existing sound that is used in a new way. This could be traditionally non-musical sounds like machinery or speech, or it could be clips of pieces of music or individual notes.
Files needed for this lesson
- Unpitched sounds 3.6 MB (MP3)
- Pitched sounds 1.2 MB (MP3)
Download these files to use in the lesson.
Equipment
DAW (and optionally additional recording devices if available).
Licence
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