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Lesson 4 of 4
  • Year 9

Creating a performance

I can perform a song with an understanding of musical shape, balance and clear diction.

Lesson 4 of 4
New
New
  • Year 9

Creating a performance

I can perform a song with an understanding of musical shape, balance and clear diction.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Pedal notes create tension and excitement in music.
  2. Appropriate use of dynamics and emphasis within the phrase can add shape to a melody.
  3. Correct balance in a vocal ensemble is important for creating a harmonious sound.
  4. Singing a piece through changing textures.
  5. Singing a melody with an extended range and more complex phrases for breathing.

Keywords

  • Pedal - a continuous pitch or note in the music which remains the same as the other harmonies change

  • Diction - the clear pronunciation and enunciation of words to convey the lyrics clearly and effectively

  • Balance - the adjustment of the dynamics of each part in an ensemble to ensure each part can be heard and altogether they create a clear, harmonious sound

  • Musical shape - how we use dynamics and stresses within the phrase to give a sense of direction to a performance

Common misconception

Diction (articulation) is just about clear pronunciation.

Articulation is also connected to taking suitable singing breaths. If breathing is poorly controlled, consonants can sound weak or unclear, and vowels lose focus. Good breath support allows the voice to stay energised through quick or complex lyrics.


To help you plan your year 9 music lesson on: Creating a performance, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

The lesson encourages pupils to focus on balance, musical shape and diction. You might choose to focus particularly on one factor over the other and cater your warm ups to focus on that particular element. The percussion part could be performed with stamps and claps in certain points in the music.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Prior knowledge starter quiz

Download quiz pdf

4 Questions

Q1.
What does balance refer to in singing?

a good singing posture
where one part is clearly louder than the other
Correct answer: adjusting the dynamics so each part can be heard comfortably

Q2.
Which of the following can affect the musical shape of a melody?

getting quicker towards the end of a phrase
Correct answer: the dynamics
Correct answer: adding appropriate emphasis to certain notes in the phrase

Q3.
We can show the importance of the downbeat in a piece of music by performing it slightly than the other notes.

quieter
Correct answer: louder
shorter
longer

Q4.
What is a pedal?

Correct answer: a note in the music which stays the same as the other harmonies change
a long note
a note played on the piano when the pedal is used

Assessment exit quiz

Download quiz pdf

4 Questions

Q1.
What is the clear pronunciation and enunciation of words to convey the lyrics clearly and effectively?

Correct answer: good diction
good balance
good tone quality

Q2.
What describes good balance in singing?

performing the instructed dynamic at all times
ensuring the highest part is always the most prominent
Correct answer: adjusting the dynamics so each part can be heard comfortably

Q3.
Which of the following is not a vital element of good ensemble singing?

diction
musical shape
Correct answer: homophonic texutre
balance

Q4.
A can create tension and excitement in the music.

melody
bass line
Correct answer: pedal