Reading and performing major melodies
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can perform my major melody composition with increasing accuracy and a steady pulse.
Key learning points
- We can compose and improvise using the pitches of the major pentachord.
- Effective melodies move mostly by step, with some leaps.
- Rondo form is a type of composition with a returning theme.
- Rehearsing helps us get ready to perform.
- When we perform we should pick a steady tempo and if we make a mistake we should try and find our place and continue.
Keywords
Composition - a new piece of music that has been created
Improvise - to create music in the moment, using the voice or instruments, alone or with others
Rondo form - a musical structure with a returning theme - ABACA
Theme - a short, recognisable musical idea that is the main musical idea for a composition
Rehearsing - to practise in order to improve and prepare for performance
Common misconception
If we make a mistake during a performance, we should start again.
While sometimes we might need to re-start, practising finding our place and carrying on playing is a great skill for a performer to develop.
Teacher tip
If pupils have not composed a B melody, or the rhythm for section C, they could use the examples provided in the slide deck. After giving pupils time to rehearse, they could perform to the group, or pairs could perform to each other.
Equipment
Class set of pitched percussion instruments, eg. xylophones, glockenspiels or chime bars.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
4 Questions
Q1.Which of these features would NOT make an effective melody?
Q2.What makes a melody memorable?
Q3.What does improvising mean in music?
Q4.What Solfege syllable is the highest note of the major pentachord?
Assessment exit quiz
4 Questions
Q1.Which of these would make an effective melody?
Q2.A rondo form composition ...
Q3.I know that I am ready to perform when ...
Q4.If I make a mistake during a performance I should ...
To help you plan your 4 music lesson on: Reading and performing major melodies, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 4 music lesson on: Reading and performing major melodies, 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 2 music lessons from the Compose and Create: composing a major melody on a stave unit, dive into the full primary music curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.