Music

For Pupils in L4-L5 (Yrs 7-9)

 

L5 (Yr 9) Minimalist Composition Task

Here we'll be giving you advice about how to write a longer piece of music and make sure it works by composing it in a minimalist style. Full details of the task can be found here.

 

L5 Long Project: How Music Can Tell a Story

Try this longer project called How Music Can Tell a Story. Click the link here for more information. 

 

Music composition/improvisation

If you can play an instrument, use this time to compose/improvise a piece based on one of the stimuli below:

Option 1 - Starry Night by Vincent Van Gogh

 

Option 2 - Word Cloud

Option 3 - Summer (Emily Dickinson)

A soft Sea washed around the House

A Sea of Summer Air

And rose and fell the magic Planks

That sailed without a care-

For Captain was the Butterfly

For Helmsman was the Bee

And an entire universe

For the delighted crew.

 

Option 4 - A January Night (Thomas Hardy)

The rain smites more and more,
The east wind snarls and sneezes;
Through the joints of the quivering door
The water wheezes.

The tip of each ivy-shoot
Writhes on its neighbour's face;
There is some hid dread afoot
That we cannot trace.

Is it the spirit astray
Of the man at the house below
Whose coffin they took in to-day?
We do not know.

 

Multi-track Song Recorder App (Free to use)

Use the Multitrack Song Recorded App to create a multitrack recording performed entirely by you! Aim to create a polyrhythm which comprises as many different interlocking rhythms as possible. Take some inspiration from the video below to create a piece of music made with household instruments.

If you need some rhythms to choose from look at the boxes below to recap the ones used frequently in music class. The piece should be strictly in time with a strong beat. It’s a good idea to record a simple 4-beat rhythm to underpin the other rhythms which you will add as you go.

 

KORG IKAOSSILATOR or Drum Machine

If you have an iPhone, search for the Korg IKAOSSILATOR and the Korg Drum Machine. These are fantastic apps and totally free to use! You can create your own pieces of music very easily allow you to experiment with a wide variety of synthesised sounds.

 

Aim to create a polyrhythm comprising a number of interlocking rhythms. If you need inspiration look at the rhythms in the boxes below:

 

The One Piece a Week Challenge

Aim to learn a new piece of music each week. You should be able to play the piece completely fluently. 

Don’t forget that you should aim to work in all of the important musical elements as you go, rather than stick them on at the end. These are: 

  • Dynamics 

  • Articulation 

  • Phrasing  

  • Accurate notes and intonation 

  • Good technique (relaxed movement from note to note, good posture)