Adding triadic melody to ground bass
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can develop a melody line from triadic harmony using passing notes, and considering rhythmic, textural and structural elements.
Key learning points
- Triadic harmony can be used to build a melody by using one or two of the triad notes and the other in the bass.
- Melodies are often higher in the scoring so we can play them up the octave.
- We can develop the structure of a piece by adding in and taking out parts.
- One way to do this is to start with a monophonic texture and build to a homophonic texture.
- Adding passing notes to a melody adds interest and creates a smooth melodic shape.
Keywords
Harmony - the notes or chords that accompany the melody of a piece of music
Octave - an interval of eight notes, eg. C to the next C is an octave
Passing note - a melodic note not from the chord, linking two chord tones
Monophonic - a texture that consists of a single line of music
Homophonic - a texture that consists of two or more musical lines moving at the same time (with the same rhythm)
Common misconception
An interval of a 3rd is three tones higher or lower than the first note.
In C major (where pupils are counting the white keys), they should count the starting note and final note, plus any in between. So an interval of a 3rd is actually two tones higher or lower than the first note. An octave would be seven notes higher.
Teacher tip
The final task lends itself to pupils going in their own direction with their composition. It could be extended to include arpeggio/Alberti bass patterns. Pupils could also focus on their melody line and not complete the final task.
Equipment
Keyboard instrument
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What does conjunct movement mean in a melody?
Q2.What does texture mean in music?
Q3.The overall organisation of a piece of music is called its ...
Q4.Which rhythm pattern is also known as the 3–3–2 pattern?
Q5.Which best describes the habanera rhythm?
Q6.Match the keyword to its meaning:
the way different notes combine to create chords or accompaniment
a sequence of notes that is the main tune
a pattern of long and short note durations
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.A triadic melody is ...
Q2.A note that links two chord tones smoothly, even though it is not part of the chord, is called a note.
Q3.In a score, where is the melody usually found?
Q4.Match the musical texture to its definition:
one single line of music
melody with accompaniment in the same rhythm
two or more independent melodies weaving together
Q5.Which best describes a monophonic texture?
Q6.You hear a piece where the melody and chords move together in the same rhythm. How would you describe this texture?
To help you plan your 9 music lesson on: Adding triadic melody to ground bass, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 9 music lesson on: Adding triadic melody to ground bass, 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 Harmonic progressions and bass lines unit, dive into the full secondary music curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.