37.

An image as the basis for a composition

How can elements and moods appearing in an image be represented in music? Analyse a selected image in the group and then create a sketch or a complete piece of music on the basis of the image, working alone or in small groups.

Assignment author
Marko Alastalo

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Basics

Skill level

Group size

Minimum time required

1 lessons

2 lessons

One month

Goal and output

Pedagogical goal

Inspiring the imagination.

Extending musical conceptions through a cross-discipline approach.

Thinking about how an image and music differ from one another and what they have in common.

Concrete output

A musical sketch or composition based on the elements in a given image.

Preparation

An inspiring image is to be selected in advance by the teacher or a student to be used as the basis for a composition.

Work progress

• Look at the image together and analyse it. Consider, as applicable, the colours, shapes, rhythms, textures, structure, materials, composition, contrasts, mood, techniques used to create the image and the associations and feelings prompted by the image. If the image is figurative, also consider its content: narrative, environments, persons and situations.

• Discuss how the aforementioned elements of the image could be reflected in music. Also consider what differences there are between listening to music and looking at an image – in music, the composer and performer(s) define the time dimension of the experience, while with an image the viewer does so.

• Students are to create a musical sketch or composition based on the image and the discussion (using either traditional or graphic notation), making use of the elements and content of the image.