Developing a motif
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Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can develop a motif by using notes of the minor scale to change the feel of the music.
Key learning points
- Programme music is music that is written to depict a story through music.
- The elements of music can be used in a certain way to convey a specific correct mood.
- The minor scale usually creates a more sombre mood to the major scale.
- Developing a motif from major to minor to change the feel of the music to suggest a sense of unrest.
Keywords
Programme music - instrumental music that tells a story or describes a scene
Motif - a short melodic idea that recurs throughout a piece of music
Minor scale - a set of notes where the 3rd and 6th notes in the scale are flattened, and that sounds sad or more solemn than a major scale
Common misconception
You can only change the 3rd or the 6th of the scale to change the mood of the music.
In the lesson task any suitable chromatic movement can be used to change the feel of the motif, so pupils don't explicitly have to change the 3rd and the 6th. Play a range of motifs in the major key and change different notes so pupils can see this.
Teacher tip
Using the terms happy and sad for major and minor is slightly simplistic, so allow pupils to consider their own description when reflecting on pieces of music in either key. Encourage them to recognise the major and minor third at this early stage to start to recognise the difference.
Equipment
Keyboard instrument or other suitable instrument/DAW that can be used as a composition tool
Licence
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