Composing for voices
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can describe some methods for composing for an SATB choir and have created a short contemporary choral composition.
Key learning points
- The SATB choir is a very common vocal ensemble, consisting of soprano, alto, tenor and bass voices.
- Contemporary composers write both tonal and atonal music for choir.
- We can create tension and release by creating dissonant chords that resolve to consonant chords.
- When doing so, it is most effective to move by step.
- It is important to consider the range of each voice type.
Keywords
Dissonance - where notes in a chord clash, creating harmonic tension
Consonance - where notes in a chord sound pleasant together, without tension
SATB choir - a vocal ensemble consisting of four voice types - soprano, alto, tenor and bass
Tonal - music that has a tonic note (the opposite of atonal)
Common misconception
Different voice types cannot sing any of the same notes.
The ranges of voices overlap, so there are some notes that can be sung by different voice types. For example, many notes that a bass can sing are also possible for tenor voices to sing.
Teacher tip
Pupils who are used to using functional harmony (i.e. standard chord sequences) may find the approach in this lesson challenging. Pupils should focus on creating and resolving dissonance, rather than thinking about specific chords. This should encourage them to 'compose with their ears' more freely.
Equipment
Notation software or DAW
Files needed for this lesson
Composing for voices template 2.04 KB (MXL)
Composing for voices DAW template 135.6 KB (ZIP)
Download these files to use in the lesson.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What musical element refers to how high or low the music is?
Q2.Which musical element refers to loud and soft in music?
Q3.Which type of chord or scale produces a happy or bright sound?
Q4.Which type of chord or scale produces a sad or dark sound?
Q5.When we move to next door notes in a melody we are moving in
Q6.Moving between semitones, commonly moving between black and white notes on the keyboard, is called
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is an SATB choir?
Q2.Which of these voice are part of an SATB choir
Q3.In an SATB choir, which voice has the lowest pitch?
Q4.Which female voice is the lowest pitch?
Q5.How do we define dissonance?
Q6.How do we define consonance?
To help you plan your 9 music lesson on: Composing for voices, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 9 music lesson on: Composing for voices, 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 3 music lessons from the Approaches to contemporary composition unit, dive into the full secondary music curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.