Playing and singing simultaneously
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can play a rhythmic ostinato and sing at the same time.
Key learning points
- A simple way to create an ostinato is to use rhythms from a song or chant.
- Using stick notation is one way of notating an ostinato.
- An ostinato can make an effective accompaniment to our singing.
- Performing a rhythmic ostinato as we sing a song adds texture and interest to our performance.
Keywords
Rhythm - the pattern of sounds that we play and sing
Stick notation - a way of writing music down
Ostinato - a repeating musical pattern which can by rhythmic or melodic
Accompaniment - a musical part that supports the main melody or chant
Texture - the combination of different layers of sounds
Common misconception
An ostinato is not a very exciting accompaniment.
An ostinato can make a singing performance more interesting and memorable. Ostinatos are used to great effect in many pieces of music in different styles and genres.
Teacher tip
Before playing and singing simultaneously, it is important that pupils have had plenty of experience playing the ostinato pattern, and can play it confidently. Start by working in two groups, one singing and the other playing.
Equipment
Untuned percussion instruments such as claves. Multiple copies of the worksheet to cut and stick rhythms.
Licence
Lesson video
Loading...
Prior knowledge starter quiz
4 Questions
Q1.Match the musical element to its definition.
Q2.Which of the following can help us read and remember rhythms?
Q3.How would you chant this rhythm?
Q4.An is a repeated musical pattern.
Assessment exit quiz
4 Questions
Q1.An ostinato is a type of ...
Q2.What is this rhythm called?
Q3.Why is an ostinato an effective accompaniment?
Q4.What is texture?
To help you plan your 3 music lesson on: Playing and singing simultaneously, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 3 music lesson on: Playing and singing simultaneously, 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 Start with playing: adding percussive layers to build texture in our songs unit, dive into the full primary music curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.