Year 4
Year 4

Improvising in a piece of music

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. In this lesson, we will review the term 'improvise' and return to the song 'Step Back Baby' to improvise and create a rhythmic backing. We will learn a new 'call and response' song from Ghana and complete a quiz.

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5 Questions

Q1.
Which of these is a definition of improvise?
Long and short sounds
Correct answer: Making it up on the spot
The heartbeat of the music
The pattern of sounds
Q2.
Which of these responses did you use in our new song?
Backward step, Backward step
Correct answer: Step back baby, step back
Step down baby, step down
Step forward baby, step forward
Q3.
What is the rhythm?
The heartbeat of the music
Correct answer: The pattern of sounds
When we use our bodies to create sound
Q4.
What do you need to remember when you 'plug the gap'?
To copy the previous rhythm
Correct answer: To count four beats in the gap
To fit as many notes in as possible
Q5.
When improvising what do you need to do?
Do a dance
Correct answer: Keep a steady pulse
Write it down first

5 Questions

Q1.
What is call and response?
Correct answer: A musical conversation where one phrase (call) is answered by another
A repeated pattern or phrase
Rhythm patterns where stressed notes are placed off the beat
The heartbeat of the music
Q2.
What techniques did we learn today when improvising?
To add a dance routine to make it more interesting
To improvise as fast as possible
Correct answer: To improvise on the 'off beats', start on different beats of the bar and use call and response
To wait and leave rests
Q3.
What is the rhythm?
The heartbeat of the music
Correct answer: The pattern of sounds
When we use our bodies to create sound
Q4.
Where does the song 'A Keelie' come from?
England
Correct answer: Ghana
Spain
Trinidad
Q5.
How do you play 'plug the gap?'
Copy the same pattern back
Correct answer: Improvise a four beat pattern in the gap
Layer clapping with the other player
Sing a song