Improvising a phrase using the D minor pentatonic scale
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can improvise stylistic and effective short phrases using the minor pentatonic scale.
Key learning points
- In jazz, the head is followed by a series of improvisations.
- Although improvising is making music in-the-moment, considering the elements can help create a stylistic improvisation.
- Practising is skill and there are many strategies you can use to improve your time spent practising.
Keywords
Jazz - a music genre that emerged from African-American communities in New Orleans in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, characterised by improvisation
Head - a term for the main melody or theme in jazz music
Improvisation - creative, in-the-moment musical composition
Phrase - a musical thought, like a sentence in a story
Bar - a measure of musical time with a set number of beats (e.g. 4 beats in 4-time)
Common misconception
Improvisation is music completely made up on the spot.
Improvised music is not completely made up on the spot. Preparation and the practising of musical ideas is important. It is more a form of spontaneous reconstruction of musical ideas built upon knowledge and practice.
Teacher tip
Emphasise the idea that there are no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ phrases. Often it is better to keep the phrase very simple. You don’t have to use all 5 notes.
Equipment
Pitched percussion instruments, ideally one-between-two with the notes C, D, F, G, A, C', D'.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
4 Questions
Q1.Match the musical element to its definition.
how fast or slow the music is played
the pattern of sounds and silences that we play and sing
the regular, steady heartbeat of the music
Q2.D minor pentatonic scale revolves around the note ...
Q3.When we combine notes to make a memorable tune, we have created a .
Q4.What is syncopation?
Assessment exit quiz
4 Questions
Q1.A piece in 4-time will have beats in a bar.
Q2.True or false? The head is improvised in a jazz piece.
Q3.Which statements about improvisation are true?
Q4.Which are helpful practising strategies?
To help you plan your 6 music lesson on: Improvising a phrase using the D minor pentatonic scale, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 6 music lesson on: Improvising a phrase using the D minor pentatonic scale, 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 rehearse: improvising with the minor pentatonic scale unit, dive into the full primary music curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.