the traditional music of a culture that is passed down through generations

a common scale in folk music, consisting of five different notes

when there are small changes in pitch between one note and the next (moving by ‘step’)

a short section of a melody, normally lasting 1, 2 or 4 bars

G major pentatonic scale audio

task A Japanese folk melody audio (Tanabata Sama)

vocal melody

say the words with this rhythm

first phrase (and to join in)

second phrase (and to join in)

first two phrases (and to join in)

keyboard melody - two phrases separately

complex variation of melody - vocal version

complex variation - keyboard

full keyboard melody - simple and extended version

task B feedback 

Characteristics of folk songs

Music

Composing a pentatonic melody

Modes and sea shanties

Singing sea shanties

Folk dance and the minor scale

Playing a folk melody in two parts

This unit explores folk music from around the world, with detailed looks at sea shanties and Russian folk dance. Pupils are exposed to a diverse array of folk music, exploring characteristics that are typical of folk traditions, composing simple melodies, singing and performing using keyboards.

Folk songs from around the world

a pentatonic scale consisting of the notes G, A, B, D and E

structure in music is how the different phrases or sections of music are organised; ABAC is three different sections of music (A B and C), with the first section (A) repeated after the B section

scottish folk melody

G major pentatonic scale

ascending melody examples

descending melody examples

mixed melody examples

creating an A phrase 

creating a B phrase

creating a C phrase 

joining the phrases to create an ABAC structure

check option 1

check option 2

check option 3

task A feedback melody

Which example is more effective? Example 1

Which example is more effective? Example 2

melody not adjusted

melody adjusted

a type of scale, of which there are seven main types

a mode that sounds similar to a minor scale; the D dorian mode uses the white notes starting on D

a structure based on repeating verses, with variation in the lyrics

a folk song traditionally sung by sailors to help them coordinate their movements

the dorian mode

scale comparison 1

scale comparison 2

Scarborough Fair melody 

Greensleeves melody

playing the Drunken Sailor melody

task B feedback performance

the constant underlying beat in a piece of music

the strongest beat of the bar named after the downbeat a conductor makes on beat one

when multiple parts play or sing the same notes at the same time

the way that different notes are played or sung together to create chords

Wellerman First Verse and Chorus Audio

Establish the Pulse Audio

The First Verse Starts Audio

Singing the First Verse Audio

Singing the Chorus Audio

Singing the Second Verse Audio

Task A - Wellerman in Unison Audio

Follow the Shape Through Audio

Singing the Harmony Part Audio

Singing When the Melody is Added Audio

Task B - Wellerman in Harmony Audio

a symbol at the end (and also often start) of a section that tells the performer to repeat it

Korobeiniki melody

Korobeiniki first section

Korobeiniki second section in D position

Korobeiniki second section in A position

Korobeiniki complete melody

a part in the music that supports the melody

What is the difference? Example 1 / Listen to the accompaniment

What is the difference? Example 2

adding the left-hand accompaniment

task A feedback audio

Which is the most energetic? Example 1

Which is the most energetic? Example 2

Which is the most energetic? Example 3

adding rhythmic drive to the accompaniment

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Folk songs from around the world

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