Myths about teaching can hold you back
- Year 8
Composing music for an extended story
I can use a range of musical techniques to depict actions in a story.
Copyrighted materials: to view and download resources from this lesson, you’ll need to be in the UK and
- Year 8
Composing music for an extended story
I can use a range of musical techniques to depict actions in a story.
Copyrighted materials: to view and download resources from this lesson, you’ll need to be in the UK and
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Lesson details
Key learning points
- Trill and glissando are two musical techniques which create a specific effect in music or help to create tension.
- Silence can also be effective in adding tension when used at an appropriate time.
- Using a range of musical techniques and the elements to create an appropriate atmosphere for a scary story.
Keywords
Silence - a moment in the music where nothing is played; it can be used to create suspense
Trill - two alternating notes played quickly
Glissando - a continuous slide between two notes (either upwards or downwards)
Common misconception
A soundtrack should have music all the way through.
Careful use of silence can heighten the tension and help to emphasise the dialogue. There is a balance and silence can be used sparingly to elevate other parts of the music and the story, particularly after a musical build up.
To help you plan your year 8 music lesson on: Composing music for an extended story, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 8 music lesson on: Composing music for an extended story, 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.
Explore more key stage 3 music lessons from the Atmospheric Music unit, dive into the full secondary music curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Equipment
Keyboard instrument or other suitable instrument/DAW that can be used as a composition tool
Licence
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