Year 10 Hispanic/Latinos Music: Activity 2

Composition Activity:

Now that you have an understanding of the defining musical features of Hispanic/Latinos music, it’s now time to put that understanding to the test! Below, I have provided links to files that can be downloaded. Listen and watch the piece ‘Tamacun’ by Rodrigo y Gabriela (2006). 

Tamacun mp3

Now take a look at the melodic PDF sample that has the ‘hook’ line notated. Take the time to learn this motif on your chosen instrument in order to gain an understanding of the scale being used (A harmonic minor). Also below there is a Finale file containing this melodic ‘hook’. In the blank bars provided, students are to compose their own melodic extension with relation to the chord progression being used (Am Gmaj Cmaj Emaj), with one chord allocated per bar. Try to compose at least another 4 bars. This may be allocated or composed for an instrument of your own choosing, it does not have to be guitar. Now it’s time for you to learn your own creations!

Tip: Try to use notes within the A minor (or A Harmonic minor) scale. Also, have a look at the notes being used in the sample. Try to incorporate these types of notes and rhythms into your own melody.

Gifted and Talented Extension:

Gifted and talented students (or those looking for an additional challenge) may use the extended Finale file and PDF file provided. This file has the original melodic ‘hook’ as the performers play it as well as the introduction riff. In addition to composing your own melodic motif, you must identify and incorporate the following musical techniques, evident in this example, into your score: hammer-ons/trills and modulation (key change).

Special Needs Extension (Intellectual Difficulty):

Students with intellectual difficulties are able to us MIDI keyboards (or Banana keyboards if available) to record sound sources into accompaniment in the mp3 file provided. This mp3 file can be imported into GarageBand and used as a backing track. At present I am experiencing difficulties in uploading GarageBand files. The tempo is at a slower rate to decrease the difficulty. Programs, such as Finale and Sibelius, require fine motor skills. Therefore, these programs should be avoided in this aspect.