Playing a melodic ostinato and singing simultaneously
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can play a melodic ostinato whilst singing at the same time.
Key learning points
- An effective ostinato can be played on two or three notes.
- Feeling the steady pulse helps us to play and sing in time together.
- knowing each part really well helps us to play and sing them simultaneously.
- With practice, we can sing a different tune to what we’re playing.
Keywords
Simultaneously - at the same time
Pulse - the regular steady heartbeat of the music
Ostinato - a repeating musical pattern that can be rhythmic or melodic
Tempo - the speed of the music - how fast or slow the music is played
Conductor - a person who directs the performance of an ensemble
Common misconception
We play the same tune as what we're singing.
A melodic ostinato can add more interest to the overall sound and, with practice, we can play a different tune to the one we're singing.
Teacher tip
This lesson builds gently, allowing pupils to sing whilst playing just one note, then two notes, and lastly three notes. Allow time for pupils to master each stage before moving on. Working in pairs is good as it allows the non-player to tap the steady pulse. Then pupils can swap over.
Equipment
A set of barred instruments eg xylophones/ glockenspiels (1 between 2 is fine) -boomwhackers/ sound tubes could also be used. Low sounds such as low chime bars or bass xylophones work well for drones.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
4 Questions
Q1.A constant pitched sound that continues throughout a piece of music is called a .
Q2.Which of these notes is the highest note?
Q3.Which is the lowest note?
Q4.Which of these helps us to play in time?
Assessment exit quiz
4 Questions
Q1.An accompaniment is ...
Q2.True or false? When we play an ostinato we play the same tune as we are singing.
Q3.Match these music words to their definitions.
Q4.Which of these helps to get the best sound from a tuned percussion instrument?
To help you plan your 3 music lesson on: Playing a melodic ostinato and singing simultaneously, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 3 music lesson on: Playing a melodic ostinato and singing simultaneously, 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 Playing together: building texture with melody, drone and ostinato unit, dive into the full primary music curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.