Developing texture
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Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can analyse how a composition uses varied textures to create musical interest, variety and climax, and can create some textural variety in my own composition.
Key learning points
- Texture is a very important aspect to consider when composing.
- If used carefully, it can help a composer to create a varied and interesting composition with simple musical ideas.
- As a composer, using textures that are idiomatic for the style or genre is important.
- Varying the thickness of the texture is a simple way to add variety.
- Using a mixture of polyphonic, homophonic and melody and accompaniment textures is also effective.
Keywords
Texture - the number of different musical lines playing at the same time, and the way that they relate to each other
Melody and accompaniment - a texture consisting of a clear melody and separate accompaniment
Polyphonic - a texture where more than one equally important melodic line plays at the same time
Homophonic - a texture where different musical lines use the same rhythm
Common misconception
Creating variety in the texture means using every different type of texture.
You can create variety in the texture by using different types of texture (e.g. polyphonic) but you can also create variety by varying the thickness of the texture. In many styles, this is a more common way to vary texture (e.g. pop and rock).
Teacher tip
This exemplar could also serve as a useful starting point for exploring: composing for orchestra; developing a melody; creating atmospheric openings; creating dramatic film music; contrapuntal/polyphonic textures, in more depth; creating an effective start and end to a composition.
File needed for this lesson
Composition exemplar - orchestral film music (audio) 5 MB (MP3)
Download this file to use in the lesson.
Licence
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