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- Year 9
How music shapes film
I can explain some of the ways that music helps to shape the way we experience films.
Copyrighted materials: to view and download resources from this lesson, you’ll need to be in the UK and
- Year 9
How music shapes film
I can explain some of the ways that music helps to shape the way we experience films.
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
- Film music can be used in a variety of ways to shape our experience.
- These include setting the scene, creating tension, and use of leitmotif to represent a particular character or idea.
- Composers use the musical elements to create an appropriate atmosphere, including appropriate use of tonality.
- Title themes are often the first music in a film, so should set the tone for the whole film.
Keywords
Tonality - the key that the music is in, such as major or minor
Leitmotif - a musical idea that represents a specific character, place or idea
Title theme - the main musical theme of a film that is usually heard in the opening titles/credits
Common misconception
There is a fixed and correct finger pattern for performing keyboard pieces.
With pieces that require a dexterous hand postition change, there are often several options. Encourage pupils to find a comfortable solution. Show examples of good keyboard technique that allows them to perform more difficult melodies with control.
To help you plan your year 9 music lesson on: How music shapes film, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 9 music lesson on: How music shapes film, 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 Film Music unit, dive into the full secondary music curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Equipment
Keyboard, DAW or suitable tuned percussion
Licence
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