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Lesson 3 of 5
  • Year 10
  • OCR

Vertical layering

I can explain how linear loops work in video games and have created some for a racing game.

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View unit
Lesson 3 of 5
New
New
  • Year 10
  • OCR

Vertical layering

I can explain how linear loops work in video games and have created some for a racing game.

Download all

These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

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These resources were created for remote use during the pandemic and are not designed for classroom teaching.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Video game composers make music adaptive by using linear loops and vertical layering.
  2. This allows music to quickly and seamlessly respond to changes caused by a player’s actions.
  3. Adding (or removing) layers to develop the texture is one way to do vertical layering.
  4. Adding a harmonised melody is another common tool used by composers for this purpose.

Keywords

  • Linear loop - a repeating musical idea in a video game that can be looped indefinitely

  • Adaptive music - music that can change by reacting to a stimulus; video game music reacts to the player's actions

  • Vertical layering - where layers of music are 'stacked' on top of each other and change in response to the player’s actions

  • Arpeggio - notes of a chord played separately, ascending or descending

  • Harmonisation - adding notes to a melody to create harmony with the main melodic notes (also called harmonising)

Common misconception

Reharmonising a melody is as simple as playing it a third higher.

While this can be effective, for certain melodies this won't work effectively. Instead, experimenting with the harmonised melody both above and below the main melody is key, as well as experimenting with 3rds and 6ths.


To help you plan your year 10 music lesson on: Vertical layering, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

If possible, explore real video game music with pupils. Classic games such as Mario Kart 64 demonstrate many key principles - linear loops, vertical layering etc. - but more modern titles are also based upon the same principles. Analysing gameplay videos can put this learning in context for pupils.
Teacher tip

Equipment

DAW, notation software, keyboard or other suitable instrument as a composition tool

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Why is video game music adaptive?

To play randomly during levels.
Correct answer: To respond to the player’s actions in real time.
To match fixed, unchanging scenes.
To make games shorter.

Q2.
What are the repeating sections of music called in video game music?

themes
Correct answer: loops
patterns
stems

Q3.
Which of these was a result of limited memory in early video games?

complex, realistic orchestral sounds
Correct answer: short, simple pieces of music
music that changed with player actions
high-quality adaptive audio

Q4.
A __________ rhythm is a fast, repeating rhythm.

Correct answer: driving
slow
random
free

Q5.
Which of these is a difference between film and video game music?

Correct answer: Video game music changes as the player interacts.
Both respond to real-time actions.
Film music has unlimited playback length.
Film music repeats endlessly during a scene.

Q6.
Which of these would be a suitable feature in a tense, mysterious spy game?

bright, cheerful major chords
driving percussion and bright brass
Correct answer: slow, chromatic melodies with soft dynamics
no music at all

Assessment exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
__________ layering is where layers of music are 'stacked' on top of each other and change in response to the player’s actions.

Correct Answer: verticle

Q2.
What is an arpeggio?

Correct answer: A series of notes from a chord played one after another.
Two notes played together at the same time.
A very slow, sustained note.
A type of percussion rhythm.

Q3.
Which of these is not an example of vertical layering?

Adding percussion to increase energy.
Removing instruments to thin the texture.
Correct answer: Using looping background music.
Adding a harmonised melody on top.

Q4.
What is harmonisation?

Playing a melody without accompaniment.
Correct answer: Adding extra notes to create chords under a melody.
Playing random notes above a melody.
Removing the melody completely.

Q5.
The two intervals most effective for harmonising a melody are and sixth.

Correct Answer: third, 3, 3rd

Q6.
For vertical layering to work, which of these must be true?

Correct answer: Layers must fit together musically.
Layers must be in the same key.
Layers must play completely different tempos.
Correct answer: Layers must be adjustable in real time