Two-part singing: rounds and partner songs
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can sing two-part rounds and partner songs with improving accuracy and a clear sense of pulse.
Key learning points
- When we sing in parts, we need to balance our dymamics so both parts can be heard.
- It is important not to ‘block out’ the sound of harmony parts as you need to hear how the music fits together.
- A sound sense of pulse is essential when singing part-songs.
Keywords
Harmony - the combination of two or more notes played or sung together, creating a pleasing sound
Dynamics - how loud or quiet the music is
Unison - the same tune sung or played at the same time
Pulse - the regular, steady heartbeat of the music
Common misconception
When singing in parts we need to stand away from other parts, so that we can concentrate on our part.
Understanding how parts fit together, hearing texture, structure and harmony, and feeling the steady pulse together are all important elements of learning to sing in parts.
Teacher tip
Ensure songs are well learnt and understood in unison before breaking away into part singing. When singing in parts, be brave - mix pupils around the room, change the groups pupils sing in - all to develop their part-singing skills.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
4 Questions
Q1. is how high or low the note is.
Q2.Match the singing structure to its definition.
the same tune sung or played at the same time
multiple groups sing the same melody but start at different times
two or more songs that fit together sung at the same time
Q3.Do, mi, so are examples of ...
Q4.When we layer different melodies, we are building ...
Assessment exit quiz
4 Questions
Q1.When we layer Bubblegum, Bubblegum with Salibonani, we are singing ...
Q2.Dynamics is ...
Q3.Which of these methods helps develop our part-singing skills?
Q4.When we sing Banaha (Si Si Si) with three parts all starting at different times, we are singing ...
To help you plan your 5 music lesson on: Two-part singing: rounds and partner songs, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 5 music lesson on: Two-part singing: rounds and partner songs, 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.