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Lesson 6 of 6
  • Year 3

Composing a major pentatonic melody

I can compose, notate and perform a major pentatonic melody that uses dotted rhythms (Ta-mi).

Lesson 6 of 6
New
New
  • Year 3

Composing a major pentatonic melody

I can compose, notate and perform a major pentatonic melody that uses dotted rhythms (Ta-mi).

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Compositions can be changed and improved with the music being created over time.
  2. Music can be shared by the oral tradition. It can also be notated to be shared and remembered for another day.
  3. Stick notation is one way to notate our compositions.
  4. Rehearsing is essential to help us prepare for a performance.
  5. Playing slowly and keeping to the steady pulse is one way to help us to rehearse and perform effectively.

Keywords

  • Compose - to create a piece of music over time

  • Melody - a combination of notes to make a memorable tune

  • Phrase - a musical thought, like a sentence in a story

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

  • Perform - to present music, playing or singing for an audience

Common misconception

Rehearsing isn't important. We can just do it if we have time.

Rehearsing helps us to practise and prepare, so our performance can be successful.


To help you plan your year 3 music lesson on: Composing a major pentatonic melody, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Not all pupils instantly know how to practise. Modelling practising will help, narrating how you are choosing to practise and why.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Pitched percussion instruments e.g. glockenspiels or xylophones. Ideally one each but one-between-two will also work if pupils compose with a partner.

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

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4 Questions

Q1.
When we write music down, we are __________ the music.

singing
Correct answer: notating
playing

Q2.
is the pattern of sounds and silences that we play and sing.

An image in a quiz
Correct Answer: rhythm, Rhythm

Q3.
Which of these is an example of a pitched percussion instrument?

egg shaker
claves
xylophone
Correct Answer: An image in a quiz
An image in a quiz

Q4.
What rhythm is this?

An image in a quiz
Takadimi Takadimi Ta-a
Ta-di Ta-di Ta-di Ta
Correct answer: Ta-mi Ta-mi Ta-mi Ta

Assessment exit quiz

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4 Questions

Q1.
True or false? We only need to practise if we have time.

Correct Answer: False, false, Untrue, untrue

Q2.
What would you recommend to someone trying to compose a melody similar to Ame Ame?

Correct answer: Use mostly notes that move in step
Use big leaps from high notes to low notes
Correct answer: Start and end on do
Start and end on re
Correct answer: Create a melody that is singable and memorable

Q3.
The scale using do, re, mi, so, la in ascending order is called the scale.

Correct Answer: major pentatonic, Major Pentatonic

Q4.
True or false? Stick notation can be used to show rhythm and pitch.

Correct Answer: True, true, correct