Listen to how the piano chords are being played-Divided Chords. Can you use that in your own song?

Think about the 'speed dating' discussion we did to generate ideas for lyrics. We discussed a number of theme; Racism, Sexism, Injustice, Human Rights, War and Conflict. Watch and listen to the clip. Listen how the different bands use the chord patterns in different ways.

Can you think of any current artists who use their music to express their opinions? Try starting with Pink, Enimen, Lily Allen, Queen Latifah or U2. What are they protesting about or criticising? Listen to Queen Latifah's 'I know where I've been' from the musical Hairspray. What do you like/dislike?

2. Remember to lower the TEMPO from 120bpm (beats per minute) to 80.

3. When you have played a line in look at the SCORE. Look at your rhythm. Is it the same in each bar? If it is you are accurate. If not you need to try again.

4. Use the MUTE button DON'T DELETE. Then you can compare your previous recordings to help you improve.

2. Decide how many chords you want to play. You can choose from C, Am F and G (or add more if you want)

3. Decide HOW you are going to play the chords. BLOCK- all 3 notes together. DIVIDED (top two notes of chord then bottom like in Imagine) or BROKEN-splitting the notes up.

4.YOU MUST PLAY IN TIME TO THE BEAT. Make sure that your 'click' is on (blue metronome)

5. Check your SCORE to see your rhythm. Does it all look the same. If it is then you are playing in time.

Next week you will have an assessment during the music lesson. This will be practical and written assessment. You will use the note section on Logic to describe the following in your composition.

Written analysis

1. Which chords you are using in your pattern (root, subdominant, dominant, relative minor) Be able to explain how the sequence works. For example, use the analogy of home (root), visiting a relative, and the Academy being the dominant.

2. How you are playing the chords (block, divided, broken) Are you using any chord inversions. Be able to explain how chord inversions work and give the notes. Revise by using the chord cards.

C E G is the root chord of C

E G C is 1st inversion

G C E is 2nd inversion

3. What instruments you have used. Why?

4. Structure. How is your piece organised? How many bars does it have.

5. Be able to discuss your LYRICS. What are they about? What is the meaning?

KEY WORDS TO USE:

Chords, root, dominant, subdominant, melody, harmony, chord pattern, bars, block, broken, divided.

Practical

I will be assessing your piece in the following way?

1. Are you in time with the beat?

2. How many chords can you play?

3. How well can you perform the chords?

4. How well do your layers fit together?

• You will be given a mark out of ten for your written and practical.  Your combined mark will be recorded.
• Practise at home by using the Virtual Piano. Use all the video clips below to help you. Learn all the key words. Make sure that your know the meaning and can spell them all accurately.

I listened to queen Latifah's protest song which really touched me because it talked about how people were racist to her race and how she has overcome it.

In addition to that I listened to John Lennon's imagine which is telling us about how people are in the world at that time also he uses the chord of c and I can put that into my work to create different layers.

I need to use the chords "C, E and G" these chords were used in John Lennon's song image.

I listened to Macklemore's song Wings and I felt that the message behind the song was very strong as he explains why clothes shouldn't define who you are.

In my song i like the lyrics however i dont think that i put alot of passion into it and its from the heart.I need to improve it my adding my verses.

The cords i am going to be using are " C, E & G' in which are the same cords used in the song 'imagen' By John Lennon.my song is about bullying because it something i feel strongly about as it can change peoples lives.

it can really help show effection and how we are making a stand for something that is completely wrong to make it right.

I listened to Eminem's music and he raps about his life and how he got bullied as a kid.

I have also listened to pink Dear Mr President now that touched me seeing all those people with nothing and it kind of made me fell sad knowing other people doesn't have a good shelter or some may not have any shelter. I myself need to reflect back at my work I started last week and improve that.

My song

I need to get the chord pattern in time with the beat and add more layers.

I think the song is meaningful. She sings freely and sings from her heart and uses her own lyrics.

My song is also my own lyrics which means that I am saying what I personally feel in my heart and what I am passionate about. However, I need to add more meaningful lyrics and learn the chord pattern.

I love this song because it was touching and was singing from her heart which was good and i understood the message of the song and i learnt the chord pattern

my song is about Racism and the message is that my passion which is ruined by a group and i want to stop

Chakiera- My song is about bullying. I felt that i had to do bullying because its something i feel strong against and it needs to be stopped. i think my song needs to be improved because i need to add more lyrics and verses to it.

Isabella-my song is about racism and the message is to stop it but i can improve it by adding more and different cords and more verses.

Maria- my song is about racism, the reason i choose it is because i feel like is something people shouldn't go through. to improve it i should make sure i add more to it.

Sounds good Amy. I think you'll need some minor chords in your pattern. I'll go over minor chords next week.

Good. Wt are your lyrics about Isabel?

Thanks James. The emotional content is really important, We need to capture that in your piece. Emotional songs need minor chords. Check out the blue chord box next lesson. I suggest Aminor, Eminor and D minor as a starting point. Well done.

Listen to Imagine a few times, the DIVIDED chord pattern becomes really catchy.

How are you going to play your chords? Make sure your hand is in the 'chicken foot' position. Block makes the music sound strong, Broken and Divided help the music to flow and sound smooth.

Think about what your lyrics are about. You could perhaps use block chords (all 3 notes of the chord played together) in the chorus and then broken or divided in the verse?

You need to think about adding a solo section. This could be improvised voice or an instrument.

After your chord pattern is completed we will be wroking on IMPROVISING a melody. This is how we start to shape a tune to fit with your words. Give yourself a headstart and make sure that you have memorised your lyrics. it will make the process much easier. Try to look at your words line by line and think about whether you want the melody to be fast and catchy or slow?

Ask your friends/family their opinion. What do they like about your lyrics? Are there any lines that stand out? Which lines are memorable? Are any of your lines catchy?

Sounds good Amy. I think you'll need some minor chords in your pattern. I'll go over minor chords next week.

In the chord pattern of C you could use Aminor and Dminor. You could also switch between G major and G minor.

i need to improve on my piano skills and my timing.

Miss S. Keep uisng the metronnome and the timing will become easier. Remember to lower the tempo from 120bpm (beats per miniute) to 80. This will make it easier to record your chords in. You can then speed the tempo back up when all your layers are finished.

Timing is THE MOST IMPORTANT thing.

Improvising is basically making up rhythmic patterns over the top of your chords.

You need to start with a couple of notes and a simple rhythm (spicy chicken!!)

As you get more confident you'll be able to introduce more notes.

You need to listen to the notes and decide what sounds best for your song.

Look at your lyrics and start to consider whether your patterns need to be long or short.

We will also be looking at how to improvise vocal melodies.

Please feel free to upload any vocal, guitar or piano improvising clips that you think would be helpful.

Nicole

2. Double click in the first bar

3. Pull up the piano roll

4. REMEMBER to hold the COMMAND (cmd button down)

5. Click and paint the notes!

Personally I think its good but not the best compared to the original.

On the other hand it is much better compared to the other advert because for me it was to in your face and I didnt like that.

i think that the John Lewis music is very good as its very festive and suits the theme of this month

Analysis of Silent Hill

Discuss:

The bass notes

How the texture is thickened by the bass notes (describe what happens)

The Ostinato (musical fragment)

The contrast between the slow start and the faster rhythm in the Right Hand

Use of dynamics: Where is the music soft and loud

How the melody (tune) is kept simple and only changes one note in a bar. Give an example.

Silent Hill starts with a ostinato made up of four bars the 1st and 3rd have the same ending, lower note, while the 2nd and 4th have the same ending, higher note. The C is repeated throughout making all the 8 bars sound similar. The melody is slow but still effective. There was a wide range of quavers, crochets and semibreves used. After a while the tempo speeds up.

The music throughout the whole song was similar and repetitive which was good as it gave suspense and emotion to the song. It also started with a slow ostinato. The bass note is a C and is held for 4 beats. The song builds up and gets faster, i think this is shown for a more dramatic effect to make it more sad.

This piece of music begins with simple chords that are then built up throughout the song.]the start is a simple ostonato made up of four bars leading to the next layer of chords. looking at the score in this piece I have noticed repetition and similarities. from start to finish the first chords are kept and always played, this could be to make it memorable as it will be parts you know and have gotten use to.

When looking at the score and listening to the chords and the way they are fit together you can notice the use of dynamics. this can create a much scarier effect on the listener as its something they dont expect as mch (sharp change between chords) there for making the piece more sad.

At the start of this piece there is an obstinato, that is memorable and simple, with 4 bars that are repeated. This creates a scarier and more suspenseful atmosphere in the piece. After the start of the piece, another layer is added which has fast played notes and there is an 'm' at the beginning of the bar which indicates to the musician to play the music more dramatically. This makes the piece more shocking and interesting. Then, the extra layer stops and the 'p' indicates to the musician to play the next bars softly. The beginning of the piece is repeated at the end which makes the music sound scarier and more emotional.

Summary of Silent Hill

The bass notes in the piece of music are practically the same throughout the whole song. They are very repetitive, and create a very catchy and memorable ostinato. There is a crescendo in the music which means he music goes from soft to loud. The melody was very simple, but very effective. There were 4 clear beats in each bar. In the piece of music P means play softly and MF means play louder. There was a wide range of crochets, quavers and semibreves used.

The bass in this piece of music builds up suspense. The crescendo later on in the music builds up tension. There is a contrast between the start and end. As the song continues, the texture of the bass notes thickens and two of the same notes are played. The repetion and ostinato in this piece of music creates a hypnotic feeling, and makes the audience want to listen on.

In the beginning the music starts with 4 beats the same bars but only one is different. There is also a lot of repetition in throughout the song it makes it more effective, and it create tension. after the first 8 bars or more the flow of the music changes to a higher pitched notes and this is repetitive throughout the song which built up a dramatic scene.

There is repetition throughout the song but only one is different . This piece is made out of four bars so at the beginning it starts off slow then towards the end it gets quicker and a higher note arrives.

Ostinato

Bass notes

Repetition

Describe the dynamics (p=soft, f=loud)

Look at your write up from today. This is a simpler version.

1. When you first look at the music score there are 2 things which you need to think about;

RHYTHM-the pattern of notes.

Are the note patterns quick or slow?

Are they the same at all? (repetition)

If the notes are white (semibreves or minims) they are long. If the notes are black (crotchets, quavers or semi quavers) the rhythms are quicker.

2. PITCH. Are the notes high or low?

Look to see if the notes START low then go high?

Are the notes the same anywhere? (repetition)

How are the notes being played- is there a BROKEN CHORD?

How many layers are there? 1 or 2?

At what bar does the 2nd layer start?

3. Look for the OSTINATO. This is the small fragment of tune (melody) which becomes memorable.

4. What instrument/instruments are being used?

5. WATCH ALL THE SILENT HILL EXAMPLES. Follow the score each time. Pause when you think you can identify a change and try to identify what if

Look at the bars. Where does the melody (tune) start?

Look at the pitch (the notes) of the Left Hand. Are there any subtle changes?

Look at the Rhythm. Are the notes white or black? They are quavers. Describe how this helps to make the music emotional?

1. Remember the rhythm is the pattern of notes. Look for repetition.

2. PITCH is how high or low the notes are. Look at the shape. Do the notes start low or high? Try to explain the shape.

Broken Chords- this is when the notes are broken up to make the music flow/sound smooth

Pitch- looking at where the notes sit on the stave. Do they go from high to low? Start low get higher?

Melody (tune) Ostinato- the fragment of tune that becomes memorable

We will be continuing with writing an emotional Film Piece on Logic. We will be continuing the structure...long stretched chewing gum notes, writing a 4 note ostinato and adding sound effects.

Key Words-Rhythm- the pattern of notes

Pitch- whether the notes go high or low.

Ostinato- a memorable tune.

Repetition- where ideas are repeated.

Start thinking about WHY your music is emotional...you will need to write a scene for your film.

Nicole: In the beginning of the piece the notes were repeated the only thing that changed was that the 4th note across went higher in bars 2 and 4 in the bass cleff. In the next bars the bass notes stay the same and the treble notes thickens the piece by adding a new pattern of the notes to the bass clef.  This makes the piece more interesting then just repeating the first 3 bars on its own. There was a difference in the way the piece was played from soft to loud causing there to be a feeling of suspense to the music. It had a slow pace it built tension causing it to feel sad. The notes thickens in the music meaning that it makes it more interesting to listen to and it adds tension to the music when it was played. The notes played on thetreble clef speeds up the piece adding suspense for the audience.

The continual ostinato has a subtle change as the first note changes pitch and becomes lower. This change makes the music more emotional and interesting.