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Lesson 2 of 6
  • Year 6

Fusing and layering rhythmic patterns

I can learn and combine syncopated rhythms derived from different musical styles.

Lesson 2 of 6
New
New
  • Year 6

Fusing and layering rhythmic patterns

I can learn and combine syncopated rhythms derived from different musical styles.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Fusion music is a genre that deliberately combines two or more existing musical styles to create a new sound.
  2. The clave is a rhythmic pattern found in Cuban, Latin and other African-influenced music.
  3. Layered syncopated rhythms is a feature of Latin music.
  4. The soca rhythm is a fast-paced, highly syncopated beat that forms the foundation of soca music.
  5. Soca is a dance-focused music genre that is a fusion of calypso, Indian folk and West African musical traditions.

Keywords

  • Fusion - the process of blending two or more different musical styles, genres, or traditions to create a new, distinct sound

  • Clave rhythm - a rhythmic pattern used widely in Latin music

  • Latin music - music from Latin America, Spain, Portugal, and the Latino population in North America and music sung in Spanish or Portuguese

  • Soca music - an upbeat, dance-focused music genre that is as a modern evolution of calypso music

  • Syncopation - rhythms that emphasise the offbeat / rhythms that emphasise the beats that are usually weaker

Common misconception

Musical fusion only refers to one type of blending of musical styles for example jazz and rock.

Fusion is a broad genre of music characterized by the creative integration of any two or more distinct styles.


To help you plan your year 6 music lesson on: Fusing and layering rhythmic patterns, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

To ensure rhythms are accurate, it might be necessary to tap a steady pulse for them. Encourage the pupils to watch and listen carefully to each other.
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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.
Music that blends two or more different musical styles, genres or traditions is called...

Correct Answer: fusion, Fusion

Q2.
True or false? A rhythm is syncopated when it is played on the beat.

Correct Answer: False, false

Q3.
A decorated melody is...

moves down in pitch
gradually gets louder
Correct answer: when a melody is embellished with extra notes
when another person sings a different melody over the top

Q4.
The music genre that emerged from African-American communities in New Orleans, characterised by improvisation is called...

Correct Answer: jazz, Jazz

Assessment exit quiz

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4 Questions

Q1.
True or false? Music we hear today, in any style, has been shaped by many people over time. Music is always growing, mixing, and changing.

Correct Answer: True, true

Q2.
Soca is a blend of these styles of music...

Correct answer: calypso
reggae
jazz
Correct answer: Indian folk
Correct answer: West African

Q3.
Music characterised by layered syncopated rhythms is...

jazz
Correct answer: Latin
orchestral
Indian

Q4.
The combination of different layers of sounds is called the...

Correct Answer: texture, Texture