Film Score Magic

Lesson Overview

Subject: Music
Year Group: Year 9
Duration: 100 minutes
Class Size: 21 students
Curriculum Reference: KS3 National Curriculum - Understanding how music is created, produced, and communicated, including through the use of tonalities, different types of scales, and musical devices like repetition and motifs.

Learning Objectives

1. Understand the role of major and minor keys in film music.
2. Explore the use of chromatic scales and their emotional impact in film scores.
3. Explain the concept of repetition in film music and identify examples.
4. Analyse and perform leitmotifs from popular film scores.
5. Develop performance skills and ensemble coordination through practical application.

Materials Needed

• Keyboards or pianos
• Percussion instruments (e.g., tambourines, drums)
• Audio-visual equipment (projector and speakers)
• Excerpts from film scores (audio clips)
• Whiteboard and markers
• Manuscript paper

Lesson Outline

Introduction (10 minutes)

1. Icebreaker & Recap:
   Briefly recap the previous lesson's content on major and minor keys. Divide the class into small groups and have each group discuss one film score they remember watching. Each group will share a short summary and the dominant emotion of the film music.

Understanding Major and Minor Keys in Film (15 minutes)

1. Discussion:
   Explain how major keys generally convey happiness or triumph, while minor keys often depict sadness, tension, or mystery. Use examples from John Williams' "Star Wars" (major) and Hans Zimmer's "Inception" (minor).

2. Listening Exercise:
   Play clips from both movies, and ask students to identify whether the excerpts are major or minor. Discuss the emotions conveyed.

Chromatic Scales in Film Music (15 minutes)

1. Explanation:
   Discuss the use of chromatic scales to create tension or dissonance. Display the chromatic scale on the board.

2. Example:
   Play Bernard Herrmann's score for "Psycho" – the infamous shower scene. Discuss how chromatic scales contribute to the unsettling tension.

3. Group Activity:
   Have students experiment with creating a short, suspenseful passage using chromatic steps on their keyboards.

The Role of Repetition and the Leitmotif (40 minutes)

1. Concept Introduction:
   Define repetition in music, and introduce the term "leitmotif" – a recurring musical theme associated with a character, idea, or situation.

2. Examples:

   • Leitmotif in "Harry Potter": Play excerpts from John Williams' "Hedwig's Theme". Discuss how it ties the film series together and its magical connotations.
   • Leitmotif in "Jaws": Play the iconic two-note motif by John Williams. Discuss how repetition builds suspense.

3. Practical Application:

   • Activity: Students break into small groups and choose a leitmotif from provided examples (e.g., "The Imperial March" from "Star Wars").
   • Performance Task: Each group interprets their chosen leitmotif using available instruments, aiming to emulate the same emotion or theme.

4. Group Sharing:
   Each group performs their version of the leitmotif. Discuss similarities and differences from the original scores.

Conclusion and Reflection (20 minutes)

1. Reflection Activity:
   Ask students to reflect on how understanding these musical elements can enhance their appreciation of film. Each student writes a brief reflection on which aspect was most interesting to them and why.

2. Q&A Session:
   Open the floor for any questions or thoughts students might have on film music.

Assessment

• Informal Assessment: Observe student participation during discussions and group activities.
• Performance Assessment: Evaluate group performances for understanding and creativity in interpreting leitmotifs.

Extension Activity

• Encourage students to select a scene from a film or show they enjoy and think about how they would compose or alter music to change its emotional impact. They can present their ideas in the next lesson.

This lesson engages Year 9 students in understanding the interplay between music and emotion in films, using multisensory and interactive approaches to impart practical musical skills.