Rehearsing and evaluating an ensemble piece with a thick texture
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can play my part in an ensemble piece with accuracy and an understanding of balance.
Key learning points
- Practising is essential to develop musical skills.
- Adding an instrumental melody and rhythmic ostinato to partner songs creates a thick texture.
- Every part in an ensemble has an important role.
- Practising skills and rehearsal techniques can be developed.
- Rehearsing together is essential to ensure we are playing in time together and with balanced dynamics.
Keywords
Practising - deliberately making an effort to improve musical skills
Rehearsing - to practise in order to improve and prepare for performance
Performance - a work that is presented to an audience
Ensemble - a group of people who perform together
Common misconception
Some parts in an ensemble piece are more important than others.
Through learning all the parts you will come to see the importance and difficulty and unique qualities of each. Often the hardest part is just holding the beat!
Teacher tip
Consider the most effective rehearsal space. How would the pupils be best seated? What is the view and distraction points from each area of the room?
Equipment
Unpitched percussion for the rhythmic ostinato e.g. claves. Pitched percussion for the melody with F A C' e.g. xylophone and glockenspiel. A set for each pupil performing that part.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
4 Questions
Q1.Match the musical element to its definition.
Q2.What is an ostinato?
Q3.A is a person who directs musicians or singers.
Q4.How would you chant this rhythm?
Assessment exit quiz
4 Questions
Q1.Music with a thick texture will have:
Q2.Which of these are top tips for rehearsing in your ensemble?
Q3.How does this symbol help to resemble an ostinato?
Q4.How would you sing this line?
To help you plan your 5 music lesson on: Rehearsing and evaluating an ensemble piece with a thick texture, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 5 music lesson on: Rehearsing and evaluating an ensemble piece with a thick texture, 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 Sing, play, perform: adding tuned accompaniment to part-singing unit, dive into the full primary music curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.