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      Improvising longer phrases using the D minor pentatonic scale

      I can improvise a stylistic longer phrase using notes from the D minor pentatonic scale.

      Copyrighted materials: to view and download resources from this lesson, you’ll need to be in the UK and

      Lesson 5 of 6
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      • Year 6

      Improvising longer phrases using the D minor pentatonic scale

      I can improvise a stylistic longer phrase using notes from the D minor pentatonic scale.

      Copyrighted materials: to view and download resources from this lesson, you’ll need to be in the UK and

      Lesson details

      Key learning points

      1. A jazz piece begins with a head played by all instruments. Improvisations then follow this.
      2. A new arrangement of a piece can be created by changing or adding to the instrumentation.
      3. Improvising with a call and response structure in mind can help to organise an improvisation.
      4. It is helpful to perform in front of an audience to receive effective feedback.

      Keywords

      • Head - the main melody or theme often used when referring to jazz music

      • Arrangement - adapting how an existing piece of music is going to sound, for example changing the instrumentation

      • Phrase - a musical thought, like a sentence in a story

      • Bar - a measure of musical time with a set number of beats (e.g. 4 beats in 4-time)

      • Improvisation - creative, in-the-moment musical composition

      Common misconception

      Improvisation is complicated and scary!

      Improvisation can be as simple as changing one note. Try to play what you might already be able to hear in your head. Are you planning your improvisations well?

      Use this unit's whole body, breathing, vocal and chant warm-ups to prepare the pupils for music.
      Teacher tip

      Equipment

      Pitched percussion instruments, ideally one-between-two with the notes C, D, F, G, A, C', D'.

      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).

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      Lesson appears in

      UnitMusic / Compose and rehearse: improvising with the minor pentatonic scale