Music for small ensembles
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can identify key small ensembles and describe key features of chamber and solo music from across the Baroque, Classical and Romantic periods.
Key learning points
- Chamber music is music in the Western Classical Tradition written for a small ensemble.
- In the Baroque period the trio sonata was the most common form, featuring two melodic instruments with basso continuo.
- In the Classical period the string quartet was very popular, but many other combinations of instruments were also used.
- These included trios, duets, quintets and others.
- Compositions for solo instrument (with or without accompaniment) have also been popular throughout the periods.
Keywords
Chamber music - music composed for a small ensemble, such as a string quartet
String quartet - a key ensemble in the Western Classical Tradition, consisting of two violins, a viola and a cello
Piano trio - another common small ensemble, typically consisting of a piano, violin and cello
Trio sonata - a common Baroque style of chamber music, with two melodic instruments and continuo
Solo - a performance by one instrument; sometimes compositions for an instrument with a piano accompaniment are also called a solo
Common misconception
Most music in the Baroque, Classical and Romantic periods was written for an orchestra.
Although a lot of the most famous music now is orchestral, it was much more diverse than this - composers wrote for many different ensembles, large and small. These included solo compositions, duets, trios, quartets, quintets and many others.
Teacher tip
Emphasise to pupils that composers can write for any combination of instruments. Doing so required carefully considering the abilities of the instruments. Consider exploring some string quartet covers and arrangements of popular songs to embed understanding of the roles of each instrument.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is chamber music?
Q2.Which ensemble is most closely linked with the Classical period?
Q3.Which instruments make up a piano trio?
Q4.In the Baroque period, which chamber music form was most common?
Q5.What does the term “solo” mean?
Q6.Which composer is linked with the Baroque trio sonata?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which best describes the Baroque trio sonata?
Q2.Which of these best describes the Classical string quartet?
Q3.Which statement about the Romantic period is true?
Q4.Which of these is not chamber music?
Q5.Match the ensemble to its description:
2 violins, viola, cello
piano, violin, cello
2 melody instruments + continuo
Q6.Why has solo music remained popular throughout all periods?
To help you plan your 10 music lesson on: Music for small ensembles, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 music lesson on: Music for small ensembles, 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 The Western Classical Tradition (1600-1910) unit, dive into the full secondary music curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.