Refining ideas and adding expression
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Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can improve my composition by adding expressive detail and making effective musical decisions.
Key learning points
- Refining focuses on improving existing ideas rather than adding new material.
- Adding expression (dynamics, articulation, tempo) shapes the music and makes it more engaging.
- Expressive features should shape phrases and highlight important moments.
- Musical decisions should be purposeful and suit the brief, genre and instrumentation.
Keywords
Expression - the use of musical elements to add feeling and character
Dynamics - how loud or quiet the music is
Articulation - how individual notes or groups of notes should be played or sung
Automation - changing parameters (e.g. volume or effects) over time to add expression
Common misconception
Adding more markings is the same as adding expression.
Markings must be appropriate and consistent. A forte marking on a relaxing piece, or dynamics only at the start, do not demonstrate expressive understanding.
Teacher tip
Ask pupils to listen back to their piece with the brief in mind and note one moment that doesn't quite fit. Targeted refinement from a specific observation is far more productive than general editing.
Equipment
Pupils may be working on their composition using notation software or a DAW. They may need access to a piano or their instrument.
Licence
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