GROUND BASS
Statement of Inquiry: Ground Bass is a set of increasingly complex variations over a repeating bass line. It is an exercise in change within a rigid structure and is used in many types of music. We will explore the possibilities and look at the technical challenges of composing an original ground bass with variations.
Key concept: Change
Related concepts: Structure
Global Context: Personal and Cultural Expression
Exploration to Develop: Change can occur within rigid musical structures.
Criterion A- Write a set of chords and inversions over a given bass line.
Criterion B- Compose ground bass with variations. Record onto GarageBand.
Criterion C- Melody and variation writing.
Criterion D- Arts process journal, self and peer assessment.
By the end of the year students are expected to be able to:
Compose a Ground Bass and set of variations using passing notes and suspensions.
Improve their knowledge of the notes of the keyboard.
Learn to write chords and inversions over a bass note.
Explore the basics of major and minor tonality.
Record each variation on GarageBand software.
Evaluate and alter variations as needed and create tension/ release through octave displacement/ musical elements.
Listen and identify Ground Bass structures from a variety of musical eras.
Links and further help:
Statement of Inquiry: Ground Bass is a set of increasingly complex variations over a repeating bass line. It is an exercise in change within a rigid structure and is used in many types of music. We will explore the possibilities and look at the technical challenges of composing an original ground bass with variations.
Key concept: Change
Related concepts: Structure
Global Context: Personal and Cultural Expression
Exploration to Develop: Change can occur within rigid musical structures.
Criterion A- Write a set of chords and inversions over a given bass line.
Criterion B- Compose ground bass with variations. Record onto GarageBand.
Criterion C- Melody and variation writing.
Criterion D- Arts process journal, self and peer assessment.
By the end of the year students are expected to be able to:
Compose a Ground Bass and set of variations using passing notes and suspensions.
Improve their knowledge of the notes of the keyboard.
Learn to write chords and inversions over a bass note.
Explore the basics of major and minor tonality.
Record each variation on GarageBand software.
Evaluate and alter variations as needed and create tension/ release through octave displacement/ musical elements.
Listen and identify Ground Bass structures from a variety of musical eras.
Links and further help: