Lesson Sequence

 

1. There is one more concept that should be discussed in this unit - Rhythmic Ostinato.

 

Definition: A Rhythmic Ostinato is a short, repeated rhythm pattern which is intended to be performed together with a melody.

 

     A Rhythmic Ostinato does not produce Harmony, but it does produce Polyphonic Texture. Let's listen to an example of Rhythmic Ostinato

     now that you know the term.

 

 

 

 

 

 

2. Ask students to form groups of 6 people. Hand out the Harry Potter Ostinato Activity Worksheet.  Note: This lesson came from

    (https://www.tes.co.uk/teaching-resource/harry-potter-ostinato-3009996) - I just 'tweeked' it a bit.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Directions: Students will need to work in groups of six. The challenge is to compose a six layer ostinato using the character names from

                  Harry Potter.  Specifically, the students must:

• Create each individual ostinato so it includes rests to make it effective.
• Think about how their rhythms will fit together.
• Think about how their piece is going to start. Will they all come in at once or are they going to stagger the

        entrances of each character?
• Think about how their piece is going to finish.
• Think about whether the different characters are going to be different pitches.
• Think about how they will contrast each character.
• Think about if the dynamics will stay the same or change.
• Think about what the tempo will be.

 

Here's an example of the Harry Potter Ostinato Assignment that can be found on YouTube (it has over 150 million views!!)