Simple example of dynamics markings for forte.

Bugs Bunny goes to a military base where he meets up with a mischievous gremlin who gets the better of him.

KS3 idea: Following the opening scene to establish the air base location, there are a number of places in this soundtrack where Carl Stalling uses one-to-one music techniques, i.e. where a particular movement on screen is exactly synchronised with a particular sound that portrays it. How many can pupils spot as the movie plays through? (Pause the movie if somebody puts their hand up.) There are also some unusually long build-ups (e.g. mallet backswing, rushing the plane door, plummeting to earth). Discuss what musical tricks are used to maintain the build up for so long and encourage pupils to use musical vocabulary accurately.

Opening piece from scenic cantata composed by Carl Orff in 1935 and 1936.

KS2 idea: for listening activity; listen and talk about the mood or atmosphere created by a piece of music - relate to the musical elements (dynamics, texture, duration, structure, melody, harmony)

Track 4 from Charanga / Saydisc / Christine Richards project - 'Listen to this' for Key Stage 3. Music for Koto from Japan, from Saydisc album 'Kurokami', performed by Rié Yanagisawa (2'21")
Main features: koto, minor pentatonic, use of dynamics, use of silence.

This music from Japan is played on the koto, a large zither. It is based on a poem written by Kobayashi Yoshio, a Japanese poet. The Track Explorer has three learning tracks focusing on descriptions of the phrases and use of pauses.

Track 19 from Charanga / Saydisc / Christine Richards project - 'Religions of the World' (1'36") This nineteenth century chant is sung in four parts, by male voices. The Track Explorer has two learning tracks focusing on the choir and features of the chant.

Track 6 from Charanga / Saydisc / Christine Richards project - 'Listen to this' for Key Stage 1. The sound of Aeolian Harps from Saydisc album 'Windsongs' (1'48") Main feature: changes in dynamics. This gentle, calming music was created using Aeolian harps and wind.
The Track Explorer has one learning track focusing on the changing sounds of the harps.

First of the New World Symphony movements, particularly good example of two contrasting tempos (adagio & allegro) and difference in dynamics and texture between the sections.

Descriptive orchestral piece by English composer Edward Elgar.

KS 1/2 idea: Excellent example of descriptive use of dynamics, children could act out where they think the 'wagon' is along with the music.

March from Prokofiev's opera written in 1919. For KS2 listening and talking about the mood or atmosphere created by a piece of music, in particular here to timbre, the use of brass and the sudden changes in dynamics which all add to the drama.