Reading and playing using simplified notation
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can read and play rhythms and melodies using simplified notation, keeping a steady pulse.
Key learning points
- Keeping a steady beat as we sing or play music helps us keep in time when we perform with others.
- We can create rhythms using our understanding of syllables.
- Stick notation helps us to read and play rhythms.
- We can read and play melodies using stick notation with note names.
Keywords
Beat - the playing or showing of the steady pulse, like the ticking of a clock
Rhythm - the pattern of sounds that we play and sing
Syllable - a part of a word
Stick notation - a way of writing rhythms down
Call and response - a question and answer musical structure
Common misconception
Music is always notated on a musical stave.
There are many different ways to notate music. Stick notation, for example, is a quick way to notate simple rhythms and melodies.
Teacher tip
We will use the notes C, G, E, and A on pitched percussion instruments. It is helpful to remove the bars that are not needed, or label these notes if your instruments do not have removeable bars.
Equipment
Pitched percussion instruments and beaters, a selection of unpitched percussion instruments such as claves.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
4 Questions
Q1.When we tap the beat, we are showing the ...
Q2.The is the pattern of words or sounds we sing or play.
Q3.We can use notation to write rhythms down.
Q4.Which of the following is the correct notation for the following rhythm: Ta, Ta-di, Ta-di, Ta
Assessment exit quiz
4 Questions
Q1.When we clap the syllables of a word, we are clapping the ...
Q2.Which of the following word rhythms best fits this stick notation?
Q3.Which of the following shows the rhythm of the first line of our song Apple Tree?
Q4.True or False? The only way to notate a melody is by using a musical stave.
To help you plan your 2 music lesson on: Reading and playing using simplified notation, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 2 music lesson on: Reading and playing using simplified notation, 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.