Minimalist composition
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Why this why now
Pupils are introduced to new ideas of creating variety within a fundamentally repetitive structure, particularly the use of ostinati, changing textures and minimalist techniques such as retrograde. They are introduced to improvising with pitch, using the pentatonic scale as a musical starting point and they develop their understanding of using a DAW for pitch as well as rhythmic composition. They reinforce their understanding of what makes a musical idea successful and continue to learn techniques for developing musical ideas.
Prior knowledge requirements
- Pupils understand the minimum DAW functions for adding instruments and editing recorded sound
- Pupils know the terms dynamics, texture and ostinato
- Pupils will have composed short repeated patterns and music in fixed structures
- Pupils know that successful music is a balance of unity and variety
Why this why now
Pupils are introduced to new ideas of creating variety within a fundamentally repetitive structure, particularly the use of ostinati, changing textures and minimalist techniques such as retrograde. They are introduced to improvising with pitch, using the pentatonic scale as a musical starting point and they develop their understanding of using a DAW for pitch as well as rhythmic composition. They reinforce their understanding of what makes a musical idea successful and continue to learn techniques for developing musical ideas.
Prior knowledge requirements
- Pupils understand the minimum DAW functions for adding instruments and editing recorded sound
- Pupils know the terms dynamics, texture and ostinato
- Pupils will have composed short repeated patterns and music in fixed structures
- Pupils know that successful music is a balance of unity and variety
Minimalist composition
This unit develops understanding of minimalism, including the context of the style and the main musical features used in creating minimalist compositions. Pupils compose and improvise in a minimalist style, including rhythmic and melodic patterns.
4 lessons in unit
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