Horizontal resequencing
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
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is vertical layering?
Q2.Which of these is an example of vertical layering?
Q3.What mood would fast, repeated arpeggios suit best?
Q4.When a second version of a melody is played to create harmony with the main melody, we call this a melody.
Q5.A __________ or 6th is an interval that is very effective for harmonising melodies.
Q6.Which of these would be a suitable feature in a scary action game?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.__________ resequencing is a key feature of video game music.
Q2.Match each aspect of horizontal resequencing to its correct description.
replaces one piece of music with another
adapts to big events like victory or defeat
music that does not change
part of vertical layering, not horizontal resequencing
Q3.How is horizontal resequencing different from vertical layering?
Q4.Why is horizontal resequencing necessary in video games?
Q5.What melodic shape best suits a positive, optimistic mood?
Q6.What kind of tonality best suits a negative, dismayed mood?
To help you plan your 10 music lesson on: Horizontal resequencing, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 music lesson on: Horizontal resequencing, 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 Extending understanding in film music: video game music unit, dive into the full secondary music curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.