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Lesson 5 of 6
  • Year 1

Following a leader to change dynamics

I can follow signs for stronger and softer singing and know that changing the dynamics can change how the song feels.

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View unit
Lesson 5 of 6
New
New
  • Year 1

Following a leader to change dynamics

I can follow signs for stronger and softer singing and know that changing the dynamics can change how the song feels.

Download all

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. A conductor can help us know when to change dynamics.
  2. A conductor can show clear hand gestures to change the dynamics of our singing.
  3. When we follow a conductor, we all change dynamics at the same time.
  4. Changing dynamics can help a song to feel more interesting and exciting.

Keywords

  • Dynamics - how loudly or quietly the music is played or sung

  • Conductor - a person who directs musicians or singers

  • Gestures - hand actions used by the conductor to lead the singing or playing

Common misconception

Conductors are for orchestras and not for singing in class.

Following a conductor can help us to stay together and change our dynamics together. This adds focus to our singing as well as making the song more effective for an audience.


To help you plan your year 1 music lesson on: Following a leader to change dynamics, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Pupils can use clear, simple hand gestures to control the dynamics of the class singing. Practising following these gestures will help support an understanding of why a conductor is helpful. Pupils should explore how significantly they can alter their dynamics (e.g. from quite loud to very quiet).
Teacher tip

Equipment

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

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4 Questions

Q1.
Another word we often hear when thinking about loud and quiet dynamics is .

beat
Correct answer: volume
pulse

Q2.
Feeling the helps us to sing in time together.

Correct answer: pulse
dynamics
structure

Q3.
A is someone who is chosen to lead the class singing and to decide what musical changes to make.

singer
instrumentalist
Correct answer: conductor

Q4.
This conductor gesture means .

An image in a quiz
sing faster
Correct answer: sing louder
sing slower
sing quieter
stop singing

Assessment exit quiz

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4 Questions

Q1.
A can help us know when to change dynamics.

Correct Answer: conductor

Q2.
A conductor can show clear to change the dynamics of our singing.

Correct answer: hand gestures
body percussion actions
mouth actions

Q3.
Why is it helpful to have a conductor?

so we can all change dynamics at different times
Correct answer: so we can all change dynamics at the same time
so we know what music to write down

Q4.
True or false? Changing dynamics can help a song feel more interesting and exciting.

Correct Answer: True, true, t, T