Myths about teaching can hold you back
- Year 7
- Year 7
Composing a pentatonic melody
I can compose a simple pentatonic melody with lyrics.
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Lesson details
Key learning points
- Many folk melodies are based on pentatonic scales such as the G major pentatonic scale.
- The melodies usually have a small range and are conjunct, which makes them easier to sing and memorise.
- When writing a melody, we should consider those features.
- We can set lyrics to a melody, adjusting the rhythm to fit with the natural rhythm of the words.
Keywords
G major pentatonic scale - a pentatonic scale consisting of the notes G, A, B, D and E
Phrase - a short section of a melody, normally lasting 1, 2 or 4 bars
ABAC structure - structure in music is how the different phrases or sections of music are organised; ABAC is three different sections of music (A B and C), with the first section (A) repeated after the B section
Common misconception
You can fit any lyrics to a melody.
Lyrics or melody often have to be adjusted to fit each other. This can be because there are too many or too few words to fit in a phrase, or there are too many or too few notes to fit with the words. Trial and error is the best way to address this.
To help you plan your year 7 music lesson on: Composing a pentatonic melody, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 7 music lesson on: Composing a pentatonic melody, 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 3 music lessons from the Folk songs from around the world unit, dive into the full secondary music curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
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