How can we compose a stylistic Baroque melody?

In this lesson, we will learn how to create a more sophisticated and stylistic melody. We will explore Baroque ornamentation and rhythms, and experiment with passing notes to create our own melodies. We will then explore how to further manipulate this in a Digital Audio Workstation.

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Quiz:

Intro quiz - Recap from previous lesson

Before we start this lesson, let’s see what you can remember from this topic. Here’s a quick quiz!

Q1.What is a chord?

More than one note played at the same timeA repeated noteTwo notes

1/10

Q2.What is a triad?

A three sided noteA chord with three notes, root, 3rd and 5thThree notes next to each other: 1, 2, 3

2/10

Q3.What are the notes of a D major triad?

D, E F#D, F# BD, F#, A

3/10

Q4.How do the pitches of melody 1 relate to the chords?

They are the root of the chordAll the notes are the root, 3rd or 5th of the chordHalf of the notes are from the chords, the others are passing notes

4/10

Q5.What are the note values of melody 1?

1/2 beat - quavers1 beat - crotchets2 beats - minims

5/10

Q6.What is the shape of melody 2?

Ascending, then it descends at the endDescending, then it ascends at the endAscending to the middle, then it descends

6/10

Q7.Describe the melody of melody 1

Moves completely by stepMoves in a combination of steps and leapsMoves completely in leaps

7/10

Q8.How could you vary a melody?

Make it fasterChange the instrumentChange the rhythm

8/10

Q9.What is a canon?

When exactly the same same part comes in later, creating a polyphonic textureWhen a different part comes in later, creating a polyphonic textureWhen a different part comes in at the same time, creating a polyphonic texture

9/10

Q10.How do you create a canon on a DAW?

You create a new melody to play over the top of the old melodyYou copy the melody and move it so the copy comes in afterYou copy the melody and change the instrument

10/10

This quiz includes images that don't have any alt text - please contact your teacher who should be able to help you with an audio description.

Unit quizzes are being retired in August 2023

Why we're removing unit quizzes from the website >

Quiz:

Intro quiz - Recap from previous lesson

Before we start this lesson, let’s see what you can remember from this topic. Here’s a quick quiz!

Q1.What is a chord?

More than one note played at the same timeA repeated noteTwo notes

1/10

Q2.What is a triad?

A three sided noteA chord with three notes, root, 3rd and 5thThree notes next to each other: 1, 2, 3

2/10

Q3.What are the notes of a D major triad?

D, E F#D, F# BD, F#, A

3/10

Q4.How do the pitches of melody 1 relate to the chords?

They are the root of the chordAll the notes are the root, 3rd or 5th of the chordHalf of the notes are from the chords, the others are passing notes

4/10

Q5.What are the note values of melody 1?

1/2 beat - quavers1 beat - crotchets2 beats - minims

5/10

Q6.What is the shape of melody 2?

Ascending, then it descends at the endDescending, then it ascends at the endAscending to the middle, then it descends

6/10

Q7.Describe the melody of melody 1

Moves completely by stepMoves in a combination of steps and leapsMoves completely in leaps

7/10

Q8.How could you vary a melody?

Make it fasterChange the instrumentChange the rhythm

8/10

Q9.What is a canon?

9/10

Q10.How do you create a canon on a DAW?

You create a new melody to play over the top of the old melodyYou copy the melody and move it so the copy comes in afterYou copy the melody and change the instrument

10/10

Video

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This quiz includes images that don't have any alt text - please contact your teacher who should be able to help you with an audio description.

Unit quizzes are being retired in August 2023

Why we're removing unit quizzes from the website >

Quiz:

How can chords be used to compose a melody?

Don’t worry if you get a question wrong! Forgetting is an important step in learning. We will recap next lesson.

Q1.What is a passing note?

A missed out noteA repeated noteA note directly between two pitches

1/10

Q2.What would a suitable passing note between D and F#?

EBG

2/10

Q3.What does 'legato' mean?

Playing something in a short and spiky way.Playing something in a smooth way.Playing something in a harsh way.

3/10

Q4.What does 'staccato' mean?

Playing something in a short and spiky way.Playing something in a smooth way.Playing something in a harsh way.

4/10

Q5.What do we call melodic decorations in music?

ColourAdditionsOrnaments

5/10

Q6.How can we make an elaborate melody?

Change the instrumentChange the speedChange the rhythm

6/10

Q7.How do you play this ornament?

You play the note above very quicklyYou alternate between two notes very quicklyYou play it very short before another note

7/10

Q8.What is this ornament and how do you play it?

A mordent - you play the note above or below very quicklyA trill - you alternate between two notes very quicklyA grace note - you play it very quickly before another note

8/10

Q9.What rhythm is used in melody 4?

Crotchet rhythmDotted rhythmPush rhythm

9/10

Q10.Name one difference between melody 2 and 3.

Melody 2 is minims, melody 3 is all crotchetsMelody 2 is faster than melody 3Melody 2 is lower than melody 3

10/10

This quiz includes images that don't have any alt text - please contact your teacher who should be able to help you with an audio description.

Unit quizzes are being retired in August 2023

Why we're removing unit quizzes from the website >

Quiz:

How can chords be used to compose a melody?

Don’t worry if you get a question wrong! Forgetting is an important step in learning. We will recap next lesson.

Q1.What is a passing note?

A missed out noteA repeated noteA note directly between two pitches

1/10

Q2.What would a suitable passing note between D and F#?

EBG

2/10

Q3.What does 'legato' mean?

Playing something in a short and spiky way.Playing something in a smooth way.Playing something in a harsh way.

3/10

Q4.What does 'staccato' mean?

Playing something in a short and spiky way.Playing something in a smooth way.Playing something in a harsh way.

4/10

Q5.What do we call melodic decorations in music?

ColourAdditionsOrnaments

5/10

Q6.How can we make an elaborate melody?

Change the instrumentChange the speedChange the rhythm

6/10

Q7.How do you play this ornament?

You play the note above very quicklyYou alternate between two notes very quicklyYou play it very short before another note

7/10

Q8.What is this ornament and how do you play it?

A mordent - you play the note above or below very quicklyA trill - you alternate between two notes very quicklyA grace note - you play it very quickly before another note

8/10

Q9.What rhythm is used in melody 4?

Crotchet rhythmDotted rhythmPush rhythm

9/10

Q10.Name one difference between melody 2 and 3.

Melody 2 is minims, melody 3 is all crotchetsMelody 2 is faster than melody 3Melody 2 is lower than melody 3

10/10

Lesson summary: How can we compose a stylistic Baroque melody?

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The Beauty of the Baroque
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How can you, as a composer, make a structure interesting?

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How can we compose a stylistic Baroque melody?

Unit quizzes are being retired in August 2023

Intro quiz - Recap from previous lesson

Unit quizzes are being retired in August 2023

Intro quiz - Recap from previous lesson

Video

Worksheet

Unit quizzes are being retired in August 2023

How can chords be used to compose a melody?

Unit quizzes are being retired in August 2023

How can chords be used to compose a melody?

Lesson summary: How can we compose a stylistic Baroque melody?

It looks like you have not completed one of the quizzes.

Time to move!

The next lesson in: The Beauty of the Baroque is: How can you, as a composer, make a structure interesting?

Browse Oak's lessons:

The next lesson in:
The Beauty of the Baroque
is:
How can you, as a composer, make a structure interesting?