Performing and improvising within an ABA structure
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can perform an ABA piece, keeping a steady pulse and improvising thoughtfully on the notes do, mi, so and la.
Key learning points
- We can improvise alone, with a partner, or in an ensemble.
- To improvise thoughtfully, we can think about which notes we might use or which rhythm we might play.
- When we play and improvise in a group ensemble, it is important to listen to each other and keep a steady pulse.
- We can structure our musical performance to make it more interesting.
Keywords
Call and response - a question and answer musical structure
Improvise - to thoughtfully create new musical ideas in the moment
Melody - a combination of notes to make a memorable tune
Structure - the way the music is organised
Ensemble - a group of people who perform together
Common misconception
Improvising doesn't require any thought.
Before we improvise, we think about what notes or rhythms we might play and how we will structure our playing, but the final product is played in the moment.
Teacher tip
We will use the notes C, G, E, and A on pitched percussion isntruments. It may be useful to label the bars or remove the bars that are not needed if possible.
Equipment
Pitched percussion instruments and beaters.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
4 Questions
Q1.Match the key word to its definition.
Q2.When we __________ we are creating new musical ideas in the moment.
Q3.Musical structure is ...
Q4.Another way of describing ABA structure is as a musical .
Assessment exit quiz
4 Questions
Q1.When we improvise in an ensemble we need to ...
Q2.When we improvise, we can play anything we want so we don't need to think about it.
Q3.Before performing as an ensemble, it is important to .
Q4.When we play within an ABA musical structure we need to ...
To help you plan your 2 music lesson on: Performing and improvising within an ABA structure, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 2 music lesson on: Performing and improvising within an ABA structure, 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.