Learning about rhythm
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Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can identify the rhythm in songs I sing, and I know the difference between beat and rhythm.
Key learning points
- Most music has a steady beat. The beat can be fast or slow.
- When the beat is fast, we say it has a fast tempo. When the beat is slow we say it has a slow tempo.
- The rhythm matches the pattern of the words or syllables in a song.
- Using stick notation is one way of writing down the rhythm of a song.
Keywords
Beat - the playing or showing of the steady pulse, like the ticking of a clock
Tempo - how fast or slow the music is played
Rhythm - the pattern of sounds that we play and sing
Syllable - a part of a word
Stick notation - a way of writing rhythms down
Common misconception
Beat and rhythm are the same thing.
These two key words are often confused. The beat is the playing or showing of the steady heartbeat, while the rhythm is the pattern of sounds we play or sing. One stays steady, while the other is made up of a pattern of longer or shorter sounds.
Teacher tip
Be really clear and consistent when using the key words beat and rhythm in this and other lessons. Recognise pupils who show a steady beat or accurate rhythm in these activities and ask them to demontrate for others.
Equipment
Two different types of unpitched percussion isntruments. Enough for half the class each.
Licence
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