KS3 Music: Composing a silent film soundtrack

Video summary

A group of children help composer Lauren Hayes make a soundtrack for Kid Carpet’s silent film.

They first study how music manipulates emotions and conveys mood in films.

The group then use electronic sounds to match the movement and mood of the characters on screen, recording and manipulating the sounds effects on a computer, to produce their very own soundtrack.

This is from the series: Compose Yourself

Back to top

Teacher Notes

Students could be provided with, or make their own, short silent film.

They could use a mobile phone or camcorder to shoot the film, before uploading it onto a computer for editing. Ideally, it would be a simple clip with obvious contrasts in mood, character and action.

Encourage pupils to select sounds to accompany the film and think about how they should be arranged.

They should pay careful attention to all aspects of the plot, characters and emotions.

In the clip, the group plays 'live' to accompany the film.

There are advantages to this, most obviously in terms of synchronisation of sound and image, but by using computer software, the sounds can be recorded in time with the film.

This clip will be relevant for teaching Music at KS3 in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Also 2nd and 3rd level in Scotland.

Back to top

Kid Carpet joins composer Jules Rawlinson and a class of schoolchildren to experiment with ‘found sounds’.

Finding sounds around you to create music

A group of children from Gateshead try to produce a piece of music inspired by the Tyne Bridge.

Taking inspiration from your surroundings to compose music

A group of children work with musical group ‘Trash’ to compose a piece of music using only rubbish and recycled objects.

Using everyday objects to create music

A group of children, who have no experience of composing music, work as a team to produce a short piece performed entirely using their voices and clapping.

Composing a piece of music using unpitched percussion

 

 

Back to top