Start with playing: adding layers to major and minor songs
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Why this why now
In this unit, we explicitly name songs and listening examples that use the major or minor key. From their experience of hearing and singing previous major, minor and pentatonic music, pupils are able to identify the tonality. We build on prior skills of playing drone and ostinato alongside a song with more complex repeated patterns. Pupils will learn to move their ostinato from the major key to the minor key. The first five notes of the major and minor keys will be consolidated in later 'Compose and Create' units.
Prior knowledge requirements
- Classroom routines are established for using instruments.
- Pupils have had plenty of opportunities to develop their sense of pulse.
- Pupils have previously sung in the major and minor key.
- Pupils know that pitch is how high or low the note sounds.
- Pupils know that rhythm is the pattern of sounds and silences that we play and sing.
- Pupils have previously had the opportunity to play simple drone and ostinato accompaniments whilst singing.
Threads
Why this why now
In this unit, we explicitly name songs and listening examples that use the major or minor key. From their experience of hearing and singing previous major, minor and pentatonic music, pupils are able to identify the tonality. We build on prior skills of playing drone and ostinato alongside a song with more complex repeated patterns. Pupils will learn to move their ostinato from the major key to the minor key. The first five notes of the major and minor keys will be consolidated in later 'Compose and Create' units.
Prior knowledge requirements
- Classroom routines are established for using instruments.
- Pupils have had plenty of opportunities to develop their sense of pulse.
- Pupils have previously sung in the major and minor key.
- Pupils know that pitch is how high or low the note sounds.
- Pupils know that rhythm is the pattern of sounds and silences that we play and sing.
- Pupils have previously had the opportunity to play simple drone and ostinato accompaniments whilst singing.
Start with playing: adding layers to major and minor songs
This unit explores the different sounds and feelings associated with major and minor tonality explicitly. The pupils sing a variety of songs, some in a major key and some in a minor key. They use pitched percussion instruments to add different accompaniments to these.
6 lessons in unit
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