Understanding arpeggios and Alberti bass
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can use triadic harmony to add arpeggios and an alberti bass to a ground bass pattern.
Key learning points
- Arpeggios and Alberti bass patterns are a variation on the triad chord.
- Arpeggios and Alberti bass patterns can be used to add interest to an existing chord sequence and ground bass.
- The Alberti bass has a distinctive, specific pattern.
- Playing arpeggios and an Alberti bass and added one or both to a ground bass pattern.
Keywords
Arpeggio - A group of notes from a chord played one after the other, either ascending or descending
Alberti bass - A group of notes rom a chord played in a specific pattern of lowest note, highest note, middle note, highest note
Octave - an interval of eight notes, e.g. a C and the next C (higher or lower) are an octave apart
Common misconception
An Alberti bass is the notes of the triad played in any order.
An Alberti bass has a specfic, distinctive pattern which uses the lowest note, highest note, middle note, highest note of the triad in that order.
Teacher tip
Alberti bass and arpeggios are used to encourage development of ideas. Pupils can use other rhythms and patterns to extend their pattern but should be encouraged to use a consistent pattern for each chord. Pupils could also play the pattern in the right hand and the ground bass in the left.
Equipment
Keyboard instrument
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is a triad chord?
Q2.To create triadic harmony, we use the , third, and fifth notes of the scale.
Q3.What is another name for a broken chord?
Q4.A quaver lasts for how long in 4/4 time?
Q5.An interval of eight notes is called an ...
Q6.What gives a piece of music rhythmic drive?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is an arpeggio?
Q2.What is an Alberti bass?
Q3.Which of these best describes the Alberti bass pattern?
Q4.An interval of eight notes (e.g. C to the next C) is called an ...
Q5.Why is it important in keyboard playing to move notes up or down the octave?
Q6.How do constant quavers in Alberti bass or arpeggios affect the music?
To help you plan your 9 music lesson on: Understanding arpeggios and Alberti bass, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 9 music lesson on: Understanding arpeggios and Alberti 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.
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