Year 8 - Music
Composing music for an extended story
Atmospheric music
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This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
Pupils learn about programmatic and descriptive music and how music can be used to set the scene. They compose a piece of music to accompany a story that includes a recurring motif and demonstrates an understanding of how key/chromatics and other musical elements can have an impact on the mood.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to use a range of musical techniques to depict actions in a story.
Key Notes
- Trill and glissando are two musical techniques which create a specific effect in music or help to create tension.
- Silence can also be effective in adding tension when used at an appropriate time.
- Using a range of musical techniques and the elements to create an appropriate atmosphere for a scary story.
Vocabulary To Learn
- silence: a moment in the music where nothing is played; it can be used to create suspense
- trill: two alternating notes played quickly
- glissando: a continuous slide between two notes (either upwards or downwards)
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- A soundtrack should have music all the way through.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain the lesson in two key points.
Trill and glissando are two musical techniques which create a specific effect in music or help to create tension. Silence can also be effective in adding tension when used at an appropriate time.
2. What does this key word mean in this lesson? 'silence'
a moment in the music where nothing is played; it can be used to create suspense.
3. Correct this common mistake.
Mistake: A soundtrack should have music all the way through. Correction: Careful use of silence can heighten the tension and help to emphasise the dialogue. There is a balance and silence can be used sparingly to elevate other parts of the music and the story, particularly after a musical build up.
More Lessons In This Unit
Browse all guides in the Year 8 Music guide library.