Developing texture
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) 4.99 MB (MP3)
Download this file to use in the lesson.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
4 Questions
Q1.A homophonic texture is where ...
Q2.A texture where more than one equally important melodic line plays at the same time is called a texture.
Q3.True or false? The only way to create textural variety is to have a number of different textures.
Q4.Match the texture to its definition.
there is a clear melody and a separate accompaniment
different musical lines use the same rhythm
everyone plays or sings in unison
players simultaneously play the same melody with slight differences
more than one equally important melodic line plays at the same time
To help you plan your 11 music lesson on: Developing texture, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 11 music lesson on: Developing texture, 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.
Explore more key stage 4 music lessons from the Composition exemplars: creating a varied composition unit, dive into the full secondary music curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.