Thinking about structure
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
Lesson video
Loading...
Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is a counter-melody?
Q2.The way different sections of music are set out is called the __________.
Q3.Which two terms describes when the notes of a chord are played separately rather than all at the same time?
Q4.Which two of the following will change the texture of a composition?
Q5.Which statements would apply to melody?
Q6.A short melodic idea that is repeated in steps either rising or falling is called a .
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which of these is a musical structure in ternary form?
Q2.What is an important consideration with ternary form structure?
Q3.Which of the following refers to melodic material?
Q4.Which of these would be referred to as harmonic material (ideas that contribute to harmony of the music)?
Q5.Which of these would not be a successful way of developing a section of music?
Q6.Give three appropriate ways we could create appropriate contrast in musical ideas.
To help you plan your 10 music lesson on: Thinking about structure, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 music lesson on: Thinking about structure, 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 Free Composition: Extending ideas unit, dive into the full secondary music curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.