Playing a minor pentatonic jazz melody
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can play the main melody (head) of a jazz piece with accuracy and a steady pulse.
Key learning points
- The head is a term used when referring to the main theme in jazz music.
- The head is played by the whole ensemble then followed by individual improvisations.
- Chunking up a melody can help make it easier to learn.
- A song that uses the D minor pentatonic scale will have phrases that revolve around the note D.
- When playing barred instruments, focus on how you play the instrument; for example striking the bar right in the centre.
Keywords
Head - a term for the main melody or theme in jazz music
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)
Note - a single sound in music
Common misconception
The best way to learn to play a piece is to start at the beginning.
We can be clever when learning pieces, looking for patterns and easy parts to fit together first whilst internalising the sounds of trickier parts.
Teacher tip
Use this unit's whole body, breathing, vocal and chant warm-ups to prepare the pupils for music.
Equipment
Pitched percussion instruments with the notes C, D, F, G, A, C'. Ideally, one between two.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
4 Questions
Q1.What is the minor pentatonic scale?
Q2.What notes are not included in the D minor pentatonic scale?
Q3. is the speed of the music.
Q4.Match the rhythmic term to its definition.
Assessment exit quiz
4 Questions
Q1.The main theme in a jazz piece is called the .
Q2.Melodic phrases often rise then fall, giving them a __________ structure.
Q3.When playing a barred instrument, try to strike the __________ of the bar to create a good sound.
Q4.When learning a new piece, it is helpful to:
To help you plan your 6 music lesson on: Playing a minor pentatonic jazz melody, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 6 music lesson on: Playing a minor pentatonic jazz melody, 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.