Thinking about structure
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Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can plan for and create developed and contrasting sections in a free composition.
Key learning points
- When musical material returns, composers often make subtle changes to it.
- Keeping the melody and harmony recognisable is important when developing repeated sections.
- In new sections, like a B section in ternary form, new melodic and harmonic ideas can be derived from earlier sections.
- This maintains the coherence of the music and shows understanding of how musical elements can be explored creatively.
Keywords
Ternary form - Ternary form is a musical structure in three sections, with the first section repeated at the end. It is also referred to as ABA.
Melodic material - Melodic material refers to musical ideas that contribute to the melody (e.g. the melody and key musical ideas such as motifs, riffs or counter melodies).
Harmonic material - Harmonic material refers to musical ideas that contribute to harmony of the music (e.g. the chords and chord sequence, the bass line and devices, including pedals).
Common misconception
Contrasting sections should be totally different to other sections in a composition.
Contrasting sections of music can be derived from some of the same ideas but should have their own recognisable melodic and harmonic ideas.
Teacher tip
Encourage pupils to find the balance of repetition and contrast and show examples of the difference between two contrasting sections derived from similar ideas and recurring sections which show development of ideas.
Equipment
A keyboard (or other suitable instrument) or DAW/notation software
Licence
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