@The Arts Unit Creative Classes
@The Arts Unit Creative Classes
Student music resource developed by The Arts Unit
Years 7 to 10 music
You will:
explore the role of melody and harmony in composing music
compose a simple story
analyse the story you have composed
perform your own composition.
Watch Lesson 1 – Exercise 1 and answer the following questions:
What role does the melody take in a song?
What role does the harmony take in a song?
Lesson 1 – Exercise 1
Duration: 01:59Extension question
Listen to James explain the way that a melody and harmony are like a story and its context in Exercise 1.
For example:
Roger was climbing the hill.
It was really hard and he wanted to stop.
But he knew no matter what, he had to go on.
Because if he didn’t get to the top in time, all would be lost.
James describes 2 different contexts for this story. Imagine another context for this story – how would this change the impact of the story?
Watch Lesson 1 – Exercise 2
Listen to the one-note melody which James plays on the piano, then listen as James adds harmony.
Answer the following questions:
What effect did the addition of the first harmony have on the sound of the melody? How did it make you feel? What do you think contributed to your response?
What effect did the addition of the second harmony have on the sound of the melody? How did it make you feel? What do you think contributed your response?
Lesson 1 – Exercise 2
Duration: 01:14Watch Lesson 1 – Exercise 3 and then complete the activities.
Lesson 1 – Exercise 3
Duration: 01:08Compose your own 4-line story using James' story as a guide:
Statement 1: Roger was climbing the hill.
Statement 2: It was really hard and he wanted to stop.
Statement 3: But he knew no matter what, he had to go on.
Statement 4: Because if he didn’t get to the top in time, all would be lost.
Remember James’s tip:
Each statement must depend on and follow on from each other.
Listen to James play and explain the melody (or musical story) of Autumn Leaves.
Lesson 1 – Exercise 4 – Autumn Leaves
Duration: 00:41Consider the following:
Compare each of the 4 phrases in the melody of 'Autumn Leaves' for repetition, development and contrast.
How do these 4 phrases connect to each other?
Now reflect on your story and make any changes.
Can you make the phrases of your story more connected?
Record a performance of your composition.
Recite your story out loud.
Focus on tempo and rhythm as you say the words to give them a musical context.