Feeling the pulse in songs and chants
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Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can feel the pulse in different songs and chants and know that pulse is the heartbeat of the music.
Key learning points
- We warm up before singing so that our bodies, minds and voices are ready to sing.
- We can use our voices to chant or sing in time to the pulse.
- We can use movements or body percussion to help us feel and show this pulse so we can see and hear the beat.
- We can keep a steady beat so we are able to sing our responses and join in with musical games at the correct moment.
Keywords
Warm up - a sequence of exercises used to prepare the mind, body and voice for singing
Sing - create musical sounds with our voice that can be a mixture of high sounds and low sounds
Chant - speaking in time to a pulse
Pulse - the regular, steady heartbeat of the music
Beat - the playing or showing of the steady pulse, like the ticking of a clock
Common misconception
Pulse and beat are the same thing.
Not quite! Pulse is the underlying feeling of uniformed beats - it is the heartbeat of the music. When organised into metres, we then feel it as beats e.g. counting or clapping 1,2,3 1,2,3.
Teacher tip
It is perfectly acceptable to repeat songs, chants and games many times. Build in opportunities for pupils to practise and develop their sense of pulse wherever possible. Create variations to spark interest such as clapping, then stamping, then a different action.
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