Exploring timbre and colour
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Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can experiment with timbre and colour to create a short composition.
Key learning points
- When writing for instruments music has to be playable and maximise the unique characteristics of the instrument.
- Range, intervals and how the instrument can be played is important in idiomatic writing for an instrument.
- Some instruments can change timbre i.e. strings can play bowed or pizzicato.
- Timbre can also be changed for expressive purposes, including using vibrato.
- Creative use of timbre can add interest and variety to compositions.
Keywords
Timbre - Timbre is the distinctive sound of an instrument or voice. This might also be referred to as sonority.
Idiomatic writing - Idiomatic writing is composing for an instrument (acoustic or electronic) or voice that makes the best use of the distinctive properties of that instrument or voice.
Vibrato - Vibrato is when the pitch fluctuates up and down very slightly to intensify the sound and add expression.
Common misconception
An instrument only has one timbre.
An instrument can have a few different timbres. Give examples of how instruments can change the sound they make.
Teacher tip
Encourage pupils to consider how they can make the best of their instrument. Ensuring that the music is playable is important, but so is exploring the unique potential of the instruments they are using. They might support each other by showing and articulating their instrument specialist techniques.
Equipment
A keyboard (or other suitable instrument) or DAW/notation software.
Licence
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