The Building Blocks of Composition - Melody
Today we are going to continue our visit to the BBC Ten Pieces party!
The party features the BBC National Orchestra of Wales (click on the orchestra's name to find out more
about it), conductor Clark Rundell and globally acclaimed pianist and composer Julian Joseph.
The fun is hosted by CBBC presenters Karim Zeroual and Lauren Layfield.
At the party, there are three lessons which will teach us all about the building blocks of composition
and how music is written. These building blocks include:
- rhythm
- melody
- tempo
- dynamics
We will also be introduced to famous pieces of music from the BBC Ten Pieces.
Lesson 2 - Melody
Today's lesson explores melody. We will:
- have a brief introduction to composition.
- learn about the rondo form.
- identify an eight-bar melodic theme that we hear throughout the piece - how many times did you hear it?
We will be introduced to the following piece of music:
Mozart's Horn Concerto No.4 (3rd Movement)
Please click on the red box below to find out more and listen to the music:
Mozart was a famous Austrian Composer, who wrote thousands of pieces of music.
His famous 'Horn Concerto was written in 1786, in the classical Period.
It features a French Horn.
Please click on the picture below, then the second box down on the website page, to watch the video:
- What makes a good tune or melody?
- Something that is catchy, short, repetitive and sticks in your mind - like a chorus or 'theme'.
- You will explore melody andfind out how to start building your own tune with jazz composer Julian Joseph.
Activity
As you take part in the party, please complete the sheet for 'Activity 2 - Exploring Melody'.
An interesting challenge - please try to design your own melodic them - there will be hints to help you,
Can you play your melody on an instrument? Just the rhythm on a home made drum would be brilliant.
Please click on the sheet below to print the sheet or write out the instruction.
Once completed, please send it to your class teacher for me in the usual way - a photo or a scanned copy will be fine.
Please let me know how you get on and what you have learned.
Thank you for working hard today. Next time, we are going to think about DYNAMICS ... See you soon!
Mrs Sumner
Thank you to the wonderful people at the BBC and the BBC National Orchestra of Wales
for sharing this lesson with us. The video was first screened in 2016.
Summer Term 2025
Fun, Inspiring (and often quite loud!) Music Lessons for Home School Hubs and Primary Schools
Specialising in:
- Primary Music Curriculum provision
- Whole Class Instrumental teaching
- Includes free use of instruments!
07941 282311
In association with
Little Strummers
"I found it very interesting and I thought that children learned about rhythm, by using body percussion without even realising that they were in a lesson, because it was so much fun for them!"
"I would highly recommend it!"
"I thought the song was lovely - there was a nice mix of playing the bowls, clapping, singing and actions. The whole idea of kitchen percussion is a brilliant one for lockdown but good in usual times too."
"The level of what you did/taught was perfect for their age and similar to things they do at school."
"The children all thoroughly enjoyed the session and were engaged throughout. They enjoyed having the opportunity to hold their own ukulele and learn to play along to some simple songs."
"The session was delivered brilliantly and the different stages were broken down into small sections to allow all children to participate."