Developing part singing
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can practise a song to prepare for a performance.
Key learning points
- Practising helps to improve musical skill and prepare for a performance.
- We can sing with different characters or feeling of a mood.
- Controlling dynamics helps different parts in music be heard clearly.
- An accompaniment should support the melody, not overpower it.
- Singing musically means thinking about the whole sound, not just our own voice.
Keywords
Practise - to work on improving a musical skills
Balance - making sure that all the musical parts work together and no part is too loud or too quiet
Dynamics - how loud or quiet the music is played or sung
Melody - a combination of notes to make a memorable tune
Accompaniment - a musical part that supports the main melody or chant e.g. an ostinato
Common misconception
I should sing louder so my part can be heard over the others.
When we all sing louder, the music becomes unbalanced. If we listen and balance each layer, our music sounds clear and beautiful.
Teacher tip
Before asking pupils to adjust their dynamics, demonstrate what balanced vs. unbalanced part-singing sounds like. Sing both parts yourself or with a confident helper — one version with the ostinato too loud, another with it just right.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
4 Questions
Q1.What is an ostinato?
Q2.We call the speed of the music the ...
Q3.True or False? When we sing in unison, we all sing the same part together.
Q4.What should you do if you get out of time while singing in a group?
Assessment exit quiz
4 Questions
Q1.What does the word dynamics mean in music?
Q2.True or False? Balance in music means everyone sings loudly.
Q3.The __________ is a musical part that supports the main melody or chant.
Q4.Why do we use quieter dynamics for the ostinato?
To help you plan your 2 music lesson on: Developing part singing, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 2 music lesson on: Developing part singing, 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 Singing for performance: adding a simple vocal accompaniment unit, dive into the full primary music curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.