Creating polyrhythms
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can combine rhythms to create a polyrhythm that can accompany a song.
Key learning points
- Ensembles need to rehearse together to be able to perform together successfully.
- Playing in an ensemble is an excellent way to develop our musical skills.
- Polyrhythms can be used to accompany a song.
- We need to balance our sound when performing in an ensemble.
Keywords
Ensemble - a group of people who perform together
Melody - a combination of notes to make a memorable tune
Accompaniment - a musical part that supports the main melody
Rhythm - the pattern of sounds and silences that we play and sing
Polyrhythm - playing two or more conflicting rhythms at the same time
Common misconception
Accompaniments only use on-beat rhythm patterns to help keep us in time.
Accompaniments can use any rhythms! Syncopated rhythms and polyrhythms can still keep us in time as we feel the offbeat and still feel the steady pulse.
Teacher tip
Sequence together your whole body, breathing and vocal exercises to warm up and prepare for singing together.
Equipment
Group sets of unpitched percussion e.g. claves, djembe and shakers.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
4 Questions
Q1.Match the musical element to its definition.
Q2.A is a song structure where multiple groups sing the same melody but start at different times.
Q3.An is a repeating musical pattern which can be rhythmic or melodic.
Q4.What is the role of the conductor?
Assessment exit quiz
4 Questions
Q1.When we combine on and offbeat rhythmic patterns and layer these on top of each other, we create a .
Q2.When we are considering balance of sound, which musical element are we thinking about?
Q3.True or false? This is a syncopated rhythm.
Q4.What does this symbol mean?
To help you plan your 6 music lesson on: Creating polyrhythms, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 6 music lesson on: Creating polyrhythms, 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: accompanying songs with polyrhythms unit, dive into the full primary music curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.