- Year 11
- Edexcel
Describing rhythm, tempo, timbre articulation and dynamics
I can accurately describe the rhythm, tempo, timbre, articulation and dynamics of a piece of unfamiliar music.
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- Year 11
- Edexcel
Describing rhythm, tempo, timbre articulation and dynamics
I can accurately describe the rhythm, tempo, timbre, articulation and dynamics of a piece of unfamiliar music.
Copyrighted materials: to view and download resources from this lesson, you’ll need to be in the UK and
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Lesson details
Key learning points
- A description of rhythm should mention specific note lengths or patterns, as well as any idiomatic rhythms.
- A description of metre and tempo should use technical terms (e.g. presto) and identify tempo changes (e.g. rubato).
- Timbre encompasses both the instruments that are used and the specific sounds or techniques used on them (e.g. muted).
- Describing articulation and dynamics refers to how the note is played and how loud or soft the music is.
Keywords
Metre - how many beats are in a bar (the time signature
Timbre - the specific quality of a sound (e.g. airy, shrill); many instruments can produce more than one timbre
Articulation - how a note is played (e.g. legato, staccato, accented)
Common misconception
A description of timbre should only describe the sound qualities heard.
While this should be included, it is also important to remember to describe the instruments that have been used, and if they from a particular ensemble. Remember that one instrument can also create multiple timbres.
To help you plan your year 11 music lesson on: Describing rhythm, tempo, timbre articulation and dynamics, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 11 music lesson on: Describing rhythm, tempo, timbre articulation and dynamics, 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.
Explore more key stage 4 music lessons from the Listening: long-form writing unit, dive into the full secondary music curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
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