New
New
Choosing a fast or slow tempo for songs, chants and games
I can change the tempo of a song or musical game and can explain how this makes it feel different.
New
New
Choosing a fast or slow tempo for songs, chants and games
I can change the tempo of a song or musical game and can explain how this makes it feel different.
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Lesson details
Key learning points
- We can describe the tempo of the music. For example, the song has a steady tempo.
- The same piece of music can be performed at different speeds. It can be played or sung at a slow, steady or fast tempo.
- The tempo of a piece of music changes the mood of the music and how we respond to it.
Keywords
Beat - the playing or showing of the steady pulse, like the ticking of a clock
Tempo - how fast or slow the music is played
Pulse - the regular steady heartbeat of the music
Common misconception
Tempo alone can set the musical mood.
All the musical elements work together to help set the musical mood.
When exploring moving to different tempi be mindful of how difficult different movements may be at different speeds. For example, walking very slowly can be hard for pupils to do accurately. For slower tempi, big sweeping movements may help.
Teacher tip
Equipment
drum or claves, ball
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Lesson video
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Starter quiz
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4 Questions
Q1.
We call the regular, steady heartbeat of the music the .
Q2.
The beat is...
how high or low the note sounds.
how fast or slow the music is.
Q3.
True or false, you can choose and change the tempo of a piece of music.
False
Q4.
How can we decide what the tempo of a piece of music is?
listen to how loud or quiet the music is.
listen to how high or low the notes are.
Exit quiz
Download exit quiz
4 Questions
Q1.
Tempo is...
how loud or quiet the music is.
how high or low the notes are.
how many layers of sound you can hear.
Q2.
You could describe the tempo of a piece of music as...
low or high.
thin or thick.
quiet, medium loud or loud.
Q3.
True or false: Changing the tempo is the only musical element that changes how the music will feel.
True
Q4.
Which statement is true?
Singing games work really well whatever tempo they are played at.
Singing games can only be played at a steady tempo.