Theme and Variations 1

This is a 6 week Unit of work. I teach it to year 7 but is suitable for low ability Year 8 students as well.

*PLEASE NOTE THIS IS THEME AND VARIATION 1 - THERE IS A THEME AND VARIATION 2 UNIT WHICH COVERS REMIXES AND HAS A MORE MODERN APPROACH IN TERMS OF INSTRUMENTS ETC. TO FOLLOW THIS. *

Learning Objectives:
To understand the definition of a theme and variation.
To identify and define certain musical devices.
To listen and match devices with Mozart’s Theme and Variation.
To perform a theme.
To create 2 or 3 variations from the theme using specific musical devices. .
To explain what you have done using musical language.

Included is: a power point which covers all six lessons and a worksheet which accompanies the power point.
The power point and worksheet are quite self explanatory but I have put some brief notes below:

• Discuss with the class the definitions of T and V and then listen to Mozart. Give a little background is needs be at this point on life in classical times. Explain he had no studio etc!!
• Read through listening activity and discuss new keywords. (we note these in a glossary)
• Complete Listening Activity.
• Recap note reading and get pupils to learn Twinkle twinkle on the keyboards.
• Perform to the class.
• Discuss easy ways to change a theme - use tick boxes on worksheet so pupils work through list - perform.
• Move onto harder ways to change theme and us tick boxes again.
• Get pupils to combine all of their ideas to create 2 or 3 full variations and then perform and discuss.