Compose and Create: major pentatonic melodies
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Why this why now
This unit expands the studied toneset with the introduction of ‘re’ to ‘do, re, mi, so, la’ - one example of a pentatonic scale. The pupils, comfortable with finding do, mi, so, la on tuned percussion and on the simplified stave are able to add ‘re’ into their repertoire and compose and perform using this new pitch. Later in 'Compose and Create' units, pupils will expand their toneset further to the major pentachord (first five notes in the major scale) followed by the minor pentachord (first five notes in the minor scale).
Prior knowledge requirements
- Classroom routines are established for using instruments.
- Pupils have had plenty of opportunities to develop their sense of pulse.
- Pupils have been exposed to many pentatonic songs.
- Pupils know that music can be notated in many different ways and have notated music on a two-line stave using the toneset do, mi, so, la.
- Pupils know that pitch is how high or low the note sounds.
- Pupils know how to place do, mi, so and la on a simplified stave.
- Pupils know that rhythm is the pattern of sounds and silences.
Threads
Why this why now
This unit expands the studied toneset with the introduction of ‘re’ to ‘do, re, mi, so, la’ - one example of a pentatonic scale. The pupils, comfortable with finding do, mi, so, la on tuned percussion and on the simplified stave are able to add ‘re’ into their repertoire and compose and perform using this new pitch. Later in 'Compose and Create' units, pupils will expand their toneset further to the major pentachord (first five notes in the major scale) followed by the minor pentachord (first five notes in the minor scale).
Prior knowledge requirements
- Classroom routines are established for using instruments.
- Pupils have had plenty of opportunities to develop their sense of pulse.
- Pupils have been exposed to many pentatonic songs.
- Pupils know that music can be notated in many different ways and have notated music on a two-line stave using the toneset do, mi, so, la.
- Pupils know that pitch is how high or low the note sounds.
- Pupils know how to place do, mi, so and la on a simplified stave.
- Pupils know that rhythm is the pattern of sounds and silences.
Compose and Create: major pentatonic melodies
Pupils discover the power and versatility of the pentatonic scale. Pupils learn that pentatonic music is found around the world and sing pentatonic songs from every continent. A three-line simplified stave is used for notation. Pupils play and compose pentatonic melodies on tuned percussion.
6 lessons in unit
slide decks, worksheet PDFs, quizzes and lesson overviews. You can select individual lessons from the Compose and Create: major pentatonic melodies unit and download the resources you need, or download the entire unit now. See every unit listed in our primary music curriculum and discover more of our teaching resources for primary music programmes.