Feeling the pulse and playing the beat
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can play a steady beat on my instrument as we sing.
Key learning points
- We warm up before singing so that our bodies, minds and voices are ready to sing.
- We can sing and move in time to the music and know that pulse is the steady heartbeat of the music.
- We can play a steady beat on percussion instruments as we sing and chant.
Keywords
Pulse - the regular, steady heartbeat of the music
Beat - the playing or showing of the steady pulse, like the ticking of a clock
Instrument - a device used to make a musical sound
Percussion - an instrument played by striking, scraping or shaking
Common misconception
Pulse, beat and rhythm are the same thing.
Pulse is the regular heartbeat of the music. Beat is what we play or show when making the pulse audible or visible. Rhythm is the pattern of sounds and silences of differing durations.
Teacher tip
Consider your instruments carefully, if you have a good selection. Choose instruments where children can strike the beat clearly and easily, for example a drum or claves, not a triangle or shakers.
Equipment
Drums, class set of claves. Optional: lemonade cup prop.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
4 Questions
Q1.Match the warm up exercise to the part of the body we are warming up.
breathing
whole body
face
voice
Q2.When we use our speaking voice in time to the pulse, we are...
Q3.What do we call the regular, steady heartbeat of the music?
Q4.Match the song structure to the definition.
an exact copy of a musical phrase
a question and answer musical structure
Assessment exit quiz
4 Questions
Q1.When we play instruments on the steady pulse, we are playing on the...
Q2.The beat is...
Q3.In music, we need to develop our sense of pulse because...
Q4.Can you put the call and response song Lemonade in the correct order?
To help you plan your 1 music lesson on: Feeling the pulse and playing the beat, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 1 music lesson on: Feeling the pulse and playing the beat, 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 Start with singing: finding my singing voice unit, dive into the full primary music curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.