Year 10 - Music
Developing an ensemble composition
Fundamentals of composition: extended
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Unit Summary
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Lesson Summary
You will learn to develop your string quartet composition by developing the texture and using a countermelody.
Key Notes
- Adding countermelodies and developing texture are effective ways to develop an ensemble composition.
- A countermelody is a second and equally prominent melody that plays at the same time as the main melody.
- In a string quartet, the second violin or viola normally play countermelodies, although sometimes the cello does.
- When adding countermelodies or developing texture it is crucial to make sure that every part can still be heard well.
- The chord tones of each chord should still be played across all parts to ensure the harmony is still effective.
Vocabulary To Learn
- string quartet: a common western classical ensemble consisting of two violins, a viola and a cello
- countermelody: a second melody that plays at the same time as the main melody
- texture: how many layers of music are playing and how they fit together
- melody and accompaniment: a texture in which there is a clear melody and separate accompanying lines
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- A countermelody is just a type of accompaniment.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain the lesson in two key points.
Adding countermelodies and developing texture are effective ways to develop an ensemble composition. A countermelody is a second and equally prominent melody that plays at the same time as the main melody.
2. What does this key word mean in this lesson? 'string quartet'
a common western classical ensemble consisting of two violins, a viola and a cello.
3. Correct this common mistake.
Mistake: A countermelody is just a type of accompaniment. Correction: It is actually quite different from an accompaniment, because it should be equally as prominent as the main melody, whereas an accompaniment is not. An accompaniment is usually also based on repeating patterns, whereas a melody does not have to be.
More Lessons In This Unit
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