Myths about teaching can hold you back
- Year 9
Developing a bass line in a Brazilian song
I can create a syncopated bass line using chord tones and octaves.
- Year 9
Developing a bass line in a Brazilian song
I can create a syncopated bass line using chord tones and octaves.
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Lesson details
Key learning points
- A bass line can be created using just the root note, or by adding additional notes, including octaves and chord tones.
- Chord tones are notes that are included in a chord.
- Octaves are different pitches of the same note (e.g. a low C and a higher C).
- These are not essential in a bass line, but they make it more interesting and complex than just using root notes.
Keywords
Root note - the root note is the main note of a chord and what the chord is named after
Octave - an octave is an interval of 8 notes (e.g. a C and the next highest C are an octave apart)
Chord tone - a chord tone is any note that is included in a chord (e.g. a C chord has the chord tones C, E and G)
Common misconception
The bass line must have a different rhythm from the chords and percussion parts.
It can be appropriate for the bass line to use the same rhythm as another part. If it sounds effective then it is fine.
To help you plan your year 9 music lesson on: Developing a bass line in a Brazilian song, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 9 music lesson on: Developing a bass line in a Brazilian song, 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.
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The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
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Explore more key stage 3 music lessons from the Understanding samba unit, dive into the full secondary music curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Equipment
A DAW or other suitable compositional tool or instrument
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.An chord is a triad chord with additional notes added.
Q2.Which of these types of chord would sound most complex?
Q3.What type of chord is this?
Q4.What type of chord is this?
Q5.A bass line is normally...
Q6.A syncopated rhythm is one that...
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is a chord tone?
Q2.What are the chord tones in this chord?
Q3.Which of these images shows an octave?
