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Lesson 5 of 6
Lesson 5 of 6
New
New
Graphic score notation
I can use symbols to write my animal sounds on a graphic score.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Music can be notated to share and remember for another day.
- A graphic score is one way of reading and writing notation.
- Graphic scores need to be clear and simple symbols, not pictures.
- An instrument might be chosen to represent an animal based on its timbre.
- Percussion instruments can be played in many different ways to create the imagery of an animal or environment.
Keywords
Composer - a person who creates music
Notation - a way of writing music down
Graphic score - a way of writing down music using symbols, shapes or images
Timbre - a description of the sound or tone of an instrument
Common misconception
Music is always notated on a score.
Some music is never notated, it is shared by singing and playing. Some notation uses graphic scores, or rhythm grids. Any way of sharing how the music is expected to be played is a form of notation.
Picture book stories, fact books and video footage about these four animals will help to bring this unit to life and provide pupils with a scaffold on which to hang their future composition ideas.
Teacher tip
Equipment
A variety of classroom percussion. A box with a lid that can fit multiple instruments inside.
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2026), 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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Prior knowledge starter quiz
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4 Questions
Q1.An instrument that is played by striking, shaking or scraping is called a __________ instrument.
An instrument that is played by striking, shaking or scraping is called a __________ instrument.
brass
string
woodwind
Q2.Before singing and playing music, it is important to to protect our voice and develop our music skills.
Before singing and playing music, it is important to to protect our voice and develop our music skills.
Q3.A description of the instrument's unique sound or tone colour is its...
A description of the instrument's unique sound or tone colour is its...
tempo
pitch
Q4.Match the musical word to the definition.
Match the musical word to the definition.
a person who creates music
a person who directs musicians or singers
a person who plays instruments or sings in front of an audience
Assessment exit quiz
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4 Questions
Q1.Which of these lists examples of timbre vocabulary?
Which of these lists examples of timbre vocabulary?
fast, high, thick
thin, slow, low
Q2.Why do we notate music?
Why do we notate music?
because it is the only way to learn music.
Q3.What is a graphic score?
What is a graphic score?
a way of writing down music using detailed pictures
a way of sharing music orally
Q4.True or false. Graphic scores should include pictures with lots of details and pictures of instruments.
True or false. Graphic scores should include pictures with lots of details and pictures of instruments.