Using harmonic devices in film music
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can develop a film theme using pedals and dissonance.
Key learning points
- Harmonic devices, such as pedals and dissonance are very useful tools for film composers.
- Pedals (usually on the tonic note) create tension by creating clashes between the bass notes and chords.
- Dissonant chords, which often feature adjacent notes or chromatic notes, also create tension and excitement.
- We can reharmonise a consonant melody with dissonant harmony to develop it and add tension.
Keywords
Pedal - a bass note that stays the same while the chords change above it
Tonic - the ‘home’ note of a key, which a key is named after (e.g. the note C in C major)
Dissonance - when notes clash with each other
Consonance - when notes create pleasant harmony with each other
Common misconception
Black notes are the same thing as chromatic notes.
This is not always true. Chromatic notes are any notes that are from outside of the key. If you are in C major, which only uses white notes, the black notes will be chromatic. However, in other keys the black notes might not be chromatic.
Teacher tip
When forming chords encourage pupils to focus on the feeling of each chord, trying to create as much tension as possible through clashes. Learning can be extended by encouraging pupils to explore how moving the leitmotif and chords into different ranges can add to or reduce tension.
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.Which of these is a type of tonality?
Q2.Match the term to its correct definition.
music that stays within a key
uses notes outside the key
has no clear key or tonal centre
uses older scales like dorian or mixolydian
Q3.Which of these best describes how chromatic music differs from diatonic music?
Q4.Which type of tonality would best suit a joyful scene?
Q5.Reharmonisation is __________.
Q6.Which of these is not a harmonic device?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.__________ is the opposite of dissonance.
Q2.What feeling does dissonance create?
Q3.A __________ is a harmonic device where the same bass note plays under changing chords.
Q4.A pedal most often uses the __________ note.
Q5.In the key of G major, what is the tonic?
Q6.Which are effective ways of creating dissonance?
To help you plan your 10 music lesson on: Using harmonic devices in film music, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 music lesson on: Using harmonic devices in film music, 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 Film music: developing ideas and understanding unit, dive into the full secondary music curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.