Rehearsing songs with layers of instrumental accompaniments
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can rehearse, sing and play as part of an ensemble performance.
Key learning points
- We can layer a drone, rhythmic ostinati, melodic ostinati, and vocal parts and work together as an ensemble.
- Following a conductor can help keep us in time.
- The more layers of sound we add, the thicker the texture becomes.
- Rehearsal helps us to improve by focusing on listening, pulse, following a conductor, and our playing technique.
- Accompaniments to songs support the main melody and therefore are played a bit quieter to allow the lyrics to be heard.
Keywords
Rehearse - to practise in order to improve and prepare for performance
Ensemble - a group of people who perform together
Texture - the combination of different layers of sounds
Conductor - a person who directs musicians or singers
Tempo - how fast or slow the music is played
Common misconception
We can play at our own tempo without listening to the other groups.
The songs we are layering are all played at different tempi. Feeling the steady pulse and following a conductor, as well as listening to the playing of all groups will help the class to play to the same steady pulse.
Teacher tip
This lesson may suit a carousel style class set up. This would utilise stations for drone playing and singing, rhythmic ostinati and melodic ostinato. Pupils learning recorder, ocarina or other instruments could play the drone part on their instrument.
Equipment
Classroom percussion such as shaker eggs and claves, pitched percussion such as glockenspiels or xylphones, lower pitched percussion where available for drone sounds.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
4 Questions
Q1.An instrumental part that supports the main melody or chant is called ...
Q2.Texture is ...
Q3.A group of people who perform together is called an .
Q4.Dynamics is ...
Assessment exit quiz
4 Questions
Q1.Match the musical words to their definitions.
Q2.The person who directs the performance of an ensemble is called a .
Q3.When we play together, we all need to play at the same .
Q4.When we play together as an ensemble, we need to play in time together. What else do we need to do?
To help you plan your 3 music lesson on: Rehearsing songs with layers of instrumental accompaniments, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 3 music lesson on: Rehearsing songs with layers of instrumental accompaniments, 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.