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Songwriting and instrumental sounds

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What makes a great song? A catchy melody, rhyming lyrics and lots of crisps of course!(According to Martin…) Join Cara and her musical martian as they attempt to create awinning jingle for Banter Crisps’ latest flavour.

Songs and Songwriting

Writing a song involves creating lyrics, a melody, and accompaniment. Most songs have a clearstructure, and often include a hook or chorus that is repeated.

Different elements within a song give it its distinct character: tempo - fast or slow, tonality -major (happy) or minor (sad), dynamics - loud or quiet, accompaniment - what instruments areused, the arrangement - different sections, repeated ideas, lyrics - rhyming words, a hook, thesubject and themes of the song.

Instrumental Sounds

An instrument’s sound is the unique timbre it makes when it is played.

Instruments come in all different shapes, sizes, materials and pitches. Every instrument has aunique sound that is distinct within that family. For example, a flute and clarinet are bothwoodwind instruments but sound quite different to each other.

Instruments can be played in a variety of ways to create different moods and feelings, and areassociated and linked to different genres and styles. For example, rock music often features adrum kit, bass and electric guitar, whilst folk music will more often use acoustic instruments likea banjo, fiddle and acoustic guitar.

Besties Music Video

Prepare for a blast from the past! After discovering a mysterious record sung by astrangely familiar duo, Cara and Martin begin to realise that the funky song may bedescribing more than just a friendship…

… It’s all about music of course! Listen through and see how many key words and musicalfeatures you can spot. What other words can you add to the list?

(high, low, short, long, melody, song, repeat, pop, jingle, classic, jazz, major, key, chord, minor,fast, calm)

Listening to Instruments

Listen to an instrument being played on its own (solo) either in person or by watching a videoonline. Try describing the sound it makes. Is it high and delicate? Or low and rich? Can theinstrument play more than one note at once? Does the sound it makes remind you of anything?Do you associate it with a particular image in your head?

Bande-oke

With some friends, create a group or band. Try to combine singing, playing and actions tocreate your very own songs that incorporate some of the features mentioned by Cara andMartin. Take it in turns to perform in different ways - lead singer, rhythm section (keeping timeby strumming a guitar, or beating on a drum, a book or a chair), lead recorder, conductor.

Murphy’s Ice Cream Jingle

Roll up, roll up! The Murphy family business of making ice cream has recently seen a drop insales… This summer they are on the listen-out for a new theme tune - the first in over 180 years!Like any jingle it needs to be catchy, it must mention the family name and the following flavours - vanilla, honeycomb, chocolate chip and mint. The words need to rhyme and there has to belots of energy throughout! Helpful hint: Mr Murphy’s favourite instrument is the triangle.Get composing!

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