The effect of timbre
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can identify how timbre in used to create an atmosphere and choose appropriate timbres to create scary music.
Key learning points
- Timbre can be used to help create atmosphere in music.
- Strings are effective as they have quite an intense sound.
- Tuned percussion (bell-like sounds) can also be effective in making music sound creepy.
- We can use different articulations, including staccato and legato for different effects.
- We can use sequence to develop and extend our musical ideas.
Keywords
Timbre - the sound or tone quality of an instrument
Staccato - when the notes are played in a detached way
Legato - when the movement between each note is smooth
Sequence - a short melodic idea that is repeated in steps either rising or falling
Common misconception
Certain timbres can only be used for certain effects.
Some timbres are particularly well suited to certain moods or effects but this doesn't mean that other timbres can't be used for different effects. It can also depend on the other musical features used.
Teacher tip
Although the effect of chromatic movement works by using a mix of the black and white notes on the keyboard, chromatic movement is about the semitone intervals in this instance. You may wish to explain this in more detail to pupils where relevant.
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.Match each musical term to its meaning.
Q2.A is a long, held note that continues under other changing parts.
Q3.A group of closely spaced notes played together that clash is called a .
Q4.How do you recognise chromatic movement?
Q5.Which of these is not one of the four families of the orchestra?
Q6.What makes a musical idea memorable?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match each articulation term to its correct description.
Q2.Why are strings so versatile for creating atmosphere in music?
Q3.Which three instruments are particularly suitable for creating tension in music?
Q4.A sequence is when a short musical idea is repeated at a different .
Q5.Which of the following are successful ways of developing a musical idea?
Q6.Which statement about timbre is NOT true?
To help you plan your 8 music lesson on: The effect of timbre, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 8 music lesson on: The effect of timbre, 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.