Horizontal resequencing
Copyrighted materials: to view and download resources from this lesson, you’ll need to be in the UK and
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can use horizontal resequencing to create a contrasting section of music that responds to a sudden change in the action.
Key learning points
- Adaptive music in video games uses two techniques to respond to a player’s actions.
- These are vertical layering and horizontal resequencing.
- In horizontal resequencing, new sections of contrasting music are used to match big changes in the game.
- Many different sections are created, so that the music can respond to any one of the possible changes.
- A typical example is using different musical ideas to represent victory or loss in a racing game.
Keywords
Adaptive music - music that can change by reacting to a stimulus; video game music reacts to the player's actions
Linear loop - a repeating musical idea in a video game that can be looped indefinitely
Horizontal resequencing - where a new section of music begins in response to a player's action
Vertical layering - where layers of music are 'stacked' on top of each other and change in response to the player’s actions
Common misconception
In horizontal resequencing, new musical sections should completely contrast with the preceeding section.
There should be contrast, but there also needs to be a feeling of continuity. Using some consistent features (like tempo, key, timbre) can help to create a feeling of some continuity, while still creating a large contrast.
Teacher tip
An extension to this task is to challenge pupils to envisage other scenarios that could take place in a racing game (e.g. a crash, a build up to a race, being overtaken) and to create appropriate musical sections for them. Using numerous musical cues like this is typical practice in video games.
Equipment
DAW, notation software, keyboard or other suitable instrument as a composition tool
Licence
Sign in to continue
Our content remains 100% free, but to access certain copyrighted materials, you'll need to sign in. This ensures we’re both staying within the rules.
P.S. Signing in also gives you more ways to make the most of Oak like unit downloads!
