New
New
Lesson 3 of 6
  • Year 4

Partner songs and rounds

I can perform partner songs and a round, singing at the right time with accuracy, and keeping a steady pulse.

Lesson 3 of 6
New
New
  • Year 4

Partner songs and rounds

I can perform partner songs and a round, singing at the right time with accuracy, and keeping a steady pulse.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Partner songs are a type of harmony where two songs are performed at the same time
  2. Rounds are another type of harmony; singing the same song, but starting at different times
  3. A beat of silence is called a rest

Keywords

  • Harmony - the combination of two or more notes played or sung together, creating a pleasing sound

  • Partner Songs - two songs that fit together when sung at the same time

  • Round - a song structure where multiple groups sing the same melody, but start at different times

Common misconception

Singing two songs together or the same song at different times will clash and not sound harmonious.

Partner songs and rounds have melodies that fit together harmoniously, and the parts are sung following the same steady beat.


To help you plan your year 4 music lesson on: Partner songs and rounds, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Pupils should know a song well before attempting it as a round. As pupils concentrate on their own part, they may fall out of time. Try clapping the beat and gently singing along with that part to steer things back together.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Large sheet to cover 1 student, washable marker pens.

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

Download quiz pdf

4 Questions

Q1.
Which rhythm below is Ta-di?

An image in a quiz
An image in a quiz
Correct Answer: An image in a quiz
An image in a quiz
An image in a quiz

Q2.
Taka-di has three sounds, but how many beats does it last for?

Correct answer: 1
2
3
4

Q3.
Which solfège pitch does this hand sign show?

An image in a quiz
so
mi
Correct answer: do

Q4.
Put these solfège in order, from highest pitch to lowest pitch:

1 - so
2 - mi
3 - do

Assessment exit quiz

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4 Questions

Q1.
Which of these is not a type of harmony?

A round
Correct answer: Solo singing
Partner songs

Q2.
Which song partners with 'Johnny Caught A Flea'?

Double Double
Digga Digga Dong
Correct answer: Alabama Gal
Sorida

Q3.
What does this symbol represent?

An image in a quiz
Correct Answer: rest, silence, a rest, a silence

Q4.
Which rhythm below is not in the 'Bubblegum' song?

Ta
Ta-di
Taka-di
Correct answer: Taka-dimi