Adding harmony and balancing sound
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can add simple harmony to a song whilst still working to create a balanced and united choral sound.
Key learning points
- There are choirs to suit nearly every style and they are a brilliant way of bringing communities together.
- Singing in harmony can help us create a rich choral sound.
- Do, mi and so sound great when combined to form harmony.
- We can add shape to a song by altering the dynamics.
- To sound like a choir, we need to work together to blend and balance our sound.
Keywords
Unison - the same tune sung or played at the same time
Harmony - the combination of two or more notes played or sung together, creating a pleasing sound
Dynamics - how loud or quiet the music is
Round - a song structure where multiple groups sing the same melody but start at different times
Melodic ostinato - a repeating musical pattern that uses notes of differing pitch
Common misconception
To sing in harmony successfully, we need to focus on our part and block out the other parts.
To develop tuning, balance and accuracy, we need to listen to all the parts being sung around us.
Teacher tip
You can challenge pupils by mixing the parts up, so the pupils singing around them are singing a different part!
Equipment
Beanbags for Sorida game.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
4 Questions
Q1.When we sing together as part of an ensemble, this is called a .
Q2.Match the harmony to its definition.
Q3.What is the name for the role of the person who directs an orchestra or choir?
Q4.Crescendo is an Italian word we use in music, meaning 'to get gradually louder'. What does decrescendo (or diminuendo) mean?
Assessment exit quiz
4 Questions
Q1.Which statements are true about choirs?
Q2.When singing in a choir, we need to work hard to our sound.
Q3.Which of these are examples of singing in unison?
Q4.Dynamics are very often used to convey to the listener.
To help you plan your 5 music lesson on: Adding harmony and balancing sound, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 5 music lesson on: Adding harmony and balancing sound, 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 Singing together: how songs unite us unit, dive into the full primary music curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.