The golden ratio and music
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can structure a short musical piece by including the climatic point at the golden ratio.
Key learning points
- The Fibonacci sequence can be shown in a spiral shape.
- We can find this sequence or its related Fibonacci spiral in nature and art.
- The sequence and spiral create a ratio that is approximately ⅔ to ⅓. This is called the golden ratio.
- The golden ratio can often be heard in music, with the climax of the music at the golden ratio point.
- A piece of music can be inspired and built from one small musical idea. Eric Whitacre calls this a ‘golden brick’.
Keywords
Fibonacci sequence - a number sequence where where each number is the sum of the previous two, starting from 0 and 1
Fibonacci spiral - a visual pattern formed by drawing arcs connecting the corners of squares whose side lengths follow the Fibonacci sequence
Golden ratio - a special or ‘perfect’ proportion found in nature, art, music and maths that makes things look and sound balanced and beautiful
Climax - the point of the most intensity, the peak of the music
Golden brick - Eric Whitacre’s term to describe a small musical idea that is the core building block on which the whole piece is built
Common misconception
The golden ratio and the golden brick are connected or the same thing.
Here, the word golden is used to suggest beauty, balance or perfection, or its importance. However, these two concepts are not connected. Be sure the pupils understand that Whitacre uses the term 'golden brick' just to mean his small musical idea.
Teacher tip
You may wish to create a whole class piece first that helps pupils scaffold their understanding of where the golden ratio fits into a whole piece.
Equipment
At least one pitched percussion instrument per ensemble group, plus a selection of classroom percussion instruments.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
4 Questions
Q1.Match the musical element to its definition.
the way the music is organised
the pattern of sounds and silences that we play and sing
the length of a sound or silence
Q2. music is instrumental music that aims to represent something non-musical, such as a story, picture, scene, idea or emotion. This contrasts with absolute music.
Q3.A __________ is a self-contained section of a large-scale musical composition, like a chapter in a book.
Q4.Match the musical terms.
how loud or quiet the music is
gradually getting louder
gradually getting quieter
Assessment exit quiz
4 Questions
Q1.How does the Fibonacci sequence sometimes relate to music?
Q2.True or false? The golden ratio is often a symbol of balance and beauty in music, art, maths and nature.
Q3.If the climax of the piece is at the golden ratio, this will be roughly __________ of the way through the piece.
Q4.We reach the Deep Field at the point of the ...
To help you plan your 4 music lesson on: The golden ratio and music, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 4 music lesson on: The golden ratio and music, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 2 music lessons from the Compose and create: cosmic programme music unit, dive into the full primary music curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.