Theme and variation as a musical structure
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Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can hear how a theme is altered to create variations and can explain theme and variation as a musical structure.
Key learning points
- Theme and variations is a type of musical structure.
- A theme is a short, recognisable melody that is the main musical idea for a composition.
- Each variation is based on the original theme but changed slightly in one or more ways.
- The orchestra is made up of four main sections: strings, woodwind, brass and percussion.
Keywords
Structure - the way the music is organised
Theme - a short, recognisable melody that is the main musical idea for a composition
Variation - when a musical theme is repeated with changes
Theme and variations - a structure in music where the main theme is stated at the beginning and then repeated throughout, but changed in some way each time
Orchestra - a large musical ensemble, combining instruments from the string, woodwind, brass, and percussion families
Common misconception
Theme and variations is the same as theme music.
Theme music is a musical composition which is often written specifically for video games, or films and is usually played at the beginning, end and at some point during the course of the game or film.
Teacher tip
Identify other musical structures that the children know such as ternary form ABA, verse chorus, call and response, echo and rondo.
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