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Lesson 4 of 6
  • Year 9

Developing a sample-based composition

I can combine pitched and unpitched samples in a composition.

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View unit
Lesson 4 of 6
New
New
  • Year 9

Developing a sample-based composition

I can combine pitched and unpitched samples in a composition.

Download all

These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Pitched sounds, such as musical notes, vocals or buzzing machines can be sampled.
  2. These can create unique timbres and textures, particularly when they are altered and recombined.
  3. We can alter them in many ways, including changing the pitch and adding effects.
  4. By experimenting with different patterns of pitched samples, we can create unique hooks and riffs.

Keywords

  • Sample - a clip of pre-existing music or sound

  • Pitched sound - sound that has a clear pitch (e.g. a note)

  • Hook - a memorable, repeated musical idea

Common misconception

Only musical instruments (and voices) produce pitched sound.

Pitched sounds are everywhere. In fact, most sounds have a pitch, it is often just hard to hear it. You can probably hear a pitched sound now if you listen closely - electrical buzzing, distant speech, weather or animals all produce subtle pitches.


To help you plan your year 9 music lesson on: Developing a sample-based composition, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

To extend learning, consider exploring ways of changing and adapting the samples with effects. Most DAWs have a range of plugins (e.g. distortion, chorus, EQ, compression, filters) that will make the pitched sounds even more unique. Encourage pupils to explore these with their sampled sounds.
Teacher tip

Equipment

DAW

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
A is a short clip of pre-existing sound used to create something new.

Correct Answer: sample

Q2.
What is sampling?

the process of recording new clips of music
Correct answer: the process of creating and using a sample
the process of moving sections of a piece around

Q3.
Which of these sounds does not have a clear pitch?

Correct answer: a train moving
a children's choir
a football chant
Correct answer: footsteps

Q4.
A sound with clear pitch is called a sound

Correct Answer: pitched

Q5.
What is musique concrète?

A type of sample used in electronic music.
Correct answer: A style of music that is based on recorded sounds.
A style of music that uses concrete instruments.
A type of unconventional instrument.

Q6.
In which century did sampling become possible?

18th century
19th century
Correct answer: 20th century
21st century

Assessment exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Which two are features of a hook?

long
Correct answer: short
Correct answer: memorable
forgettable

Q2.
To create a sample, which two steps should be taken?

Correct answer: Split the region before the sound.
Split the region in the middle of the sound.
Correct answer: Split the region after the sound.
Split the sound in half.

Q3.
How does a pitched sample differ from an unpitched one?

Both pitched and unpitched sounds have no clear pitch.
Both pitched and unpitched sounds have a clear pitch.
A pitched sound has no clear pitch, whereas an unpitched sound has a clear pitch
Correct answer: A pitched sound has a clear pitch, whereas an unpitched sound has no clear pitch

Q4.
Why is it beneficial to repeat rhythms or patterns when creating music from samples?

Correct answer: To create unique musical patterns.
To create a feeling of random sounds.
Correct answer: To make the music more memorable.
To make the music more boring.

Q5.
If a sound is altered after being sampled, this still counts as sampling. Why?

Correct answer: because it is taking a pre-existing sound and creating something new with it
because it is creating a new sound and adding effects to it
because it is taking a pre-existing sound and not changing it
because it is creating a melody from a keyboard

Q6.
Which two are examples of pitched sounds?

Correct answer: birdsong
car engine
clapping
Correct answer: humming