Developing a leitmotif
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can develop a leitmotif through motivic transformation.
Key learning points
- Developing a leitmotif to reflect changes in the story is called motivic transformation.
- Composers do this in many different ways, including extending or combining leitmotifs.
- Reharmonising leitmotifs by changing the harmony but keeping the melody the same is an effective technique.
- Changing features of the leitmotif such as rhythm, dynamics, articulation and tonality is also common.
- Key to motivic transformation is keeping the leitmotif recognisable and matching the mood of the moment in the story.
Keywords
Leitmotif - a musical idea that represents a specific character, place or idea
Motivic transformation - when a motif is changed to represent a change in a story or character
Reharmonisation - when a composer keeps a melody the same but changes the harmony
Common misconception
To create a contrasting version of a leitmotif, you should change lots of features of it.
You must be careful to not change it too much. If you do, it becomes unrecognisable and will just sound like a different leitmotif. A leitmotif represents a character, place, or idea, so we need to be able to recognise it to link it to that thing.
Teacher tip
A good extension for these tasks is to take famous leitmotifs or themes and to develop them using the same techniques. Consider getting students to develop the Jaws motif, or Darth Vader motif to represent different moods.
Equipment
DAW, 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 melodic shape?
Q2.An interval is the __________.
Q3.Which word describes a melody that moves by large leaps?
Q4.Which melodic shape could create a sad or depressing feeling?
Q5.Which mood is often created by an ascending melodic shape?
Q6.A melody that keeps returning to the tonic can create a feeling of .
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.A leitmotif is a musical idea that represents a character, place, or __________
Q2.Motivic is when a leitmotif is developed.
Q3.In films and opera, motivic transformation should __________.
Q4.Which of these is not a method of motivic transformation?
Q5.Match each technique with its description.
changing the harmony while keeping the melody
making the motif longer
blending two motifs together
changing rhythm, tonality, or articulation
Q6.Which of these are key to motivic transformation?
To help you plan your 10 music lesson on: Developing a leitmotif, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 music lesson on: Developing a leitmotif, 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 Introduction to film music unit, dive into the full secondary music curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.