Call and response improvisation within a four note toneset
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can improvise with a partner using do, mi, so and la, within a call and response structure.
Key learning points
- Improvising is a way to create new musical ideas in the moment.
- We can improvise new words, new rhythms, or new melodies using our voices or instruments.
- We can improvise alone, in a group, or with a partner using call and response.
- We can improvise new melodies using do, mi, so, and la.
Keywords
Improvise - to thoughtfully create new musical ideas in the moment
Note - a single sound in music
Call and response - a question and answer musical structure
Melody - a combination of notes to make a memorable tune
Pitched percussion - an instrument that can play musical notes when we strike it
Common misconception
Improvisation is difficult and only professional musicians can do it well.
Improvisation is about exploring new musical ideas. Even young pupils can improvise in a fun and playful way using familiar material as a starting point.
Teacher tip
For this lesson, we will be using the notes C, E, G, and A on pitched percussion. It may be helpful to remove the bars that are not needed or label the bars do, mi, so, and la.
Equipment
Pitched percussion instruments (xylophones, glockenspiels) and beaters.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
4 Questions
Q1.Which of the following instruments can play a melody?
Q2.Looking at this picture of a xylophone, which bars have a lower pitch?
Q3.A glockenspiel is a __________ percussion instrument.
Q4.A pitched percussion instrument can play a melody because it can play different .
Assessment exit quiz
4 Questions
Q1.Call and response is like a musical question and .
Q2.We can use call and response to improvise...
Q3.We can use __________ percussion to improvise new melodies.
Q4.Improvising is creating music as you go along, while composing is writing down music you have thought of before. Which of the following are examples of improvising?
To help you plan your 2 music lesson on: Call and response improvisation within a four note toneset, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 2 music lesson on: Call and response improvisation within a four note toneset, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 1 music lessons from the Compose and create: improvising with four notes unit, dive into the full primary music curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.