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Lesson 6 of 6
  • Year 5

Reading and performing minor melodies

I can perform my minor melody composition and the compositions of others with accuracy and a steady pulse.

Lesson 6 of 6
New
New
  • Year 5

Reading and performing minor melodies

I can perform my minor melody composition and the compositions of others with accuracy and a steady pulse.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. We can use an AABA structure to shape a melody
  2. Rehearsing music helps us improve.
  3. 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

  • Structure - the way music is organised

  • Rehearsing - to practise in order to improve and prepare for performance

  • Performing - presenting our work in front of others

Common misconception

If we make a mistake when performing we should always stop and start again.

While you might sometimes need to start again, it's good practice to try and find your place and carry on if you make a mistake when performing.


To help you plan your year 5 music lesson on: Reading and performing minor melodies, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Performances could be pupils performing in turn to the class, or performing to each other in pairs.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Class set of pitched percussion instruments.

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

Download quiz pdf

4 Questions

Q1.
What is meant by a melody that uses steps?

jumping between notes that are far away from each other
using the same note many times
Correct answer: moving to the note directly above or below

Q2.
Is the following pattern ascending or descending: mi, re, do, ti, la?

ascending
Correct answer: descending
neither

Q3.
When rehearsing for a performance it is best to ...

play as quickly as possible to make your piece sound exciting
Correct answer: play slowly to make sure you have plenty of time to find the next note
speed up when you get to a bit you know well

Q4.
What is meant by the accompaniment?

the main melody
the B section of a melody
Correct answer: the musical ideas in the background

Assessment exit quiz

Download quiz pdf

4 Questions

Q1.
Which suggestion below would help two musicians to stay in time?

Correct answer: Keep to a slow, steady tempo and listen to each other.
Keep focussed on your own playing, trying to block out the other musician.
If you make a mistake, take time to go back and correct it.

Q2.
What common structure did you use for your melody this lesson?

Correct answer: AABA
ABCA
ABAB
ABBA

Q3.
What is a drone in music?

anything that happens in the background
Correct answer: a single repeated note
a descending melody
a question and answer melody

Q4.
How should you make sure you can deliver a confident performance?

Play quickly so it doesn't take too long.
Start again if you make a mistake, to make sure your performance is perfect.
Correct answer: Use rehearsal time to play your piece over and over until you know it well.