Graphic scores

Much of our section on graphic scores will seem irrelevant to many children with complex needs. However, why does this kind of score need to be purely visual?

Make a tactile score using different materials. A sensory garden could become a score as could light sources in a multi-sensory room. A score might be spatial, with each area of your classroom being associated with a specific world of sound.

Once you have a score that suits your pupils, you can develop it in the same way as you would the more conventional kind of graphic score.

 

Stories, dance, plays and films

We all like stories that are familiar, and making music for them will mean that quite large structures can be developed. Music which reflects our everyday routines can often be enjoyable to develop and can be used throughout the school day.

Also think of taking some limits away from your music. Music, dance and drama are pretty much the same thing when you come down to it, and the differences are certainly far outweighed by the reinforcement the separate disciplines bring to each other.

Films can provide a fabulous visual stimulus and, more than that, they can be the basis for work that is age-appropriate at all levels regardless of ability.

You’ll find more about making music for stories, dance and films here.