The role of the instruments and the bass pattern
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can describe the roles of the instruments in a blues ensemble and I can perform a blues bass pattern
Key learning points
- There are four main instrumental roles in a blues ensemble: the melody, chords, bass and drum groove.
- The melody is often performed by a singer. The piano, guitar, bass and drum kit play an accompanying role.
- The piano, guitar and instruments such as the harmonica and brass can play melodic lines which are often improvised.
- We have learned to play a syncopated bass riff with the 12-bar blues chords.
- Syncopation in the music drives the music forward and helps create a blues feel.
Keywords
Ensemble - a group of musicians performing together e.g. a choir, band or orchestra
Improvise - to create music or a musical idea on the spot
Syncopation - when the rhythm emphasises (accents) notes in between the main beats
Riff - a short repeated musical idea used in popular music
Bass - the lowest pitched part in the music
Common misconception
All instruments have a fixed role and only the drums drive the music forward.
The guitar and piano can be melodic as well as accompanying. Different instruments can drive the music forward, and all players in the ensemble are responsible for this.
Teacher tip
The practical task is flexible. Pupils are encouraged to learn the pattern with the left hand so they can put the chords and bass part together. It is an accessible task to play two hands together, but pupils could work in pairs with one playing the bass pattern and one playing the chords.
Equipment
Keyboard instrument
Licence
except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
5 Questions
Q1.A chord is...
Q2.In Blues music the first and second line of the lyrics are always...
Q3.The 12 bar blues chord sequence in C uses the chords C, F and .
Q4.What are the notes of a C triad chord?
Q5.When playing a chord with your right hand, the __________ should be on the root note.
Assessment exit quiz
5 Questions
Q1.What word describes a short, repeated musical idea used in popular music?
Q2.Which is the lowest part in the music?
Q3.Which two instruments usually play an accompanying role in a blues ensemble?
Q4.Which instrument (not vocals) is most likely to play a melody in blues music?
Q5.Which word means to create music or a musical idea in the moment?
To help you plan your 8 music lesson on: The role of the instruments and the bass pattern, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 8 music lesson on: The role of the instruments and the bass pattern, 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 The 12-bar blues unit, dive into the full secondary music curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.