Creating scary music
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can identify specific musical features that create suspense in music and can use these features to compose a short piece that suitably reflects a scene or action.
Key learning points
- Music can be used to create an atmosphere and convey a scene.
- Chromatic movement, note clusters and pedal notes create suspense and help to make the music sound scary.
- Appropriate use of pitch, tempo and dynamics can also be used to reflect actions, movement and mood in a scene.
- A successful musical idea is often repetitive and simple, using only a few notes.
Keywords
Chromatic - when a musical idea moves between the black and white notes on the keyboard
Note cluster - a group of notes adjacent to each other, played at the same time
Pedal - a continuous (usually low pitched) note
Common misconception
Any pitch and notes can work in a composition.
Encourage pupils to think about the choice of notes in their musical ideas and listen to how it sounds.
Teacher tip
The first two scene descriptions in task B are less abstract and potentially easier to convey with music. These are supported with examples later in the lesson which could be used earlier to scaffold as required.
Equipment
Keyboard instrument or other suitable instrument/DAW that can be used as a composition tool
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Pitch describes whether a sound is or low.
Q2.Dynamics describe whether music is loud or .
Q3.Which of these best defines rhythm?
Q4.A short musical pattern that is repeated many times is called an .
Q5.Why is repetition important in music?
Q6.A is a long, held note that continues under other changing parts.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Chromatic movement uses notes that are together to create an eerie sound.
Q2.A group of notes close together that clash and create tension is called a .
Q3.What effect do pedal notes have in scary music?
Q4.Match each musical element to how it can reflect a scene in scary music.
Q5.Why is it NOT true that any pitch or note will work in a scary composition?
Q6.A strong scary musical idea is often and repetitive.
To help you plan your 8 music lesson on: Creating scary music, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 8 music lesson on: Creating scary 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 3 music lessons from the Atmospheric music unit, dive into the full secondary music curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.