Composing motifs

Learning Intentions

  • We are learning to perform melodies with a repeated motif.
  • We are learning to compose a melody based on an initial motif.

Suggested further listening

  • Symphony no. 5, 1st movement (Beethoven)
  • In the Hall of the Mountain King from Peer Gynt (Grieg)
  • Hebrides Overture (Mendelssohn)

What to look for

  • Pupils playing the O Fortuna theme
  • Pupils demonstrating and discussing the use of elements of music in a given theme
  • Pupils developing and extending a motif into a longer piece of music
  • Pupils using ostinato, drone and/or chords appropriately in their compositions
  • Pupils evaluating their compositions

Learning Activities

Focus on having the pupils learn to play the theme of O Fortuna from Carmina Burana (Carl Orff). Point out that the motif is based on three notes.

Play O Fortuna in class and encourage the pupils to suggest the ways in which Orff manipulates this motif.

Put them into pairs and ask each pair to create and perform their own motif using only three notes. Through discussion, encourage them to experiment to find as many ways as possible of manipulating their motifs, for example:

  • by changing the rhythm;
  • by changing the melody;
  • by adding notes; or
  • by playing it backwards.

Give them an opportunity to demonstrate and discuss their ideas with the rest of the class.

In groups, ask the pupils to choose one of their motifs to create a longer piece of music.

Encourage them to compose accompaniments for their melodies using techniques such as:

  • ostinato;
  • drone; and
  • chords.

Allow them to perform and appraise their compositions.