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Lesson 2 of 5
  • Year 11
  • Eduqas

More complex rhythmic dictation

I can accurately identify and notate complex rhythmic patterns.

Lesson 2 of 5
New
New
  • Year 11
  • Eduqas

More complex rhythmic dictation

I can accurately identify and notate complex rhythmic patterns.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Rhythmic dictation is slightly more complex with syncopated and dotted rhythms.
  2. Identifying quaver rests (with ‘rest-di’) is useful for accurately notating syncopated rhythms.
  3. In all time signatures we should make sure that the note values add up to the correct number of beats in a bar.
  4. In compound time, we must carefully count groups of 3 quavers (using ‘1 and a 2 and a’ etc.)

Keywords

  • Syncopated - a rhythm that emphasises (accents) notes in between the main beats; this is often created by using half-beat rests on the beat or dotted rhythms

  • Dotted quaver - a note that lasts for three quarters of a beat

  • Compound time - Compound time is when each beat is divided into three quavers, rather than two (e.g. a 12/8 time signature)

Common misconception

You can use the same verbalisation in compound time as simple time signatures.

This will create problems, because there are 3 quavers in each beat in compound time. The counting method in compound time avoids confusion by ensuring there are three quavers in each beat.


To help you plan your year 11 music lesson on: More complex rhythmic dictation, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Dictation only improves through practice. Consider creating additional dictation practice opportunities for pupils. This could be as simple as clapping a four-beat rhythm and asking them to write it (or verbalise it) on a mini-whiteboard. Quickfire practice tasks like this will improve performance.
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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).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
What single note could you add to this rhythm to fill a bar of 4/4?

An image in a quiz
a crotchet
Correct answer: a minim
a semibreve
a dotted crotchet
a dotted minim

Q2.
What phrase effectively verbalises this rhythm?

An image in a quiz
hot cup of
ginger beer
coffee
Correct answer: cup of

Q3.
How many beats does this rhythm last for?

An image in a quiz
2
Correct answer: 2 1/2
3
3 1/2
4

Q4.
How many beats does this rhythm last for?

An image in a quiz
2
Correct answer: 3
3 1/2
4
5

Q5.
Which is an example of a compound time signature?

3/4
4/4
5/4
Correct answer: 6/8

Q6.
Which two are examples of syncopated rhythms?

Correct answer: A
B
C
Correct answer: D

Assessment exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
What is the note value of a dotted quaver?

1/2 a beat
Correct answer: 3/4 of a beat
1 beat
1 1/2 beats
3 beats

Q2.
In simple time, quavers are grouped in groups of __________.

1
Correct answer: 2
3
4
5

Q3.
In compound time, quavers are grouped in groups of __________.

1
2
Correct answer: 3
4
5

Q4.
Which of these phrases verbalises this rhythm?

An image in a quiz
Tea
Correct answer: Coffee
Hot cup of
Coca-cola

Q5.
What is the time signature of this bar?

An image in a quiz
2/4
Correct answer: 3/4
4/4
5/4

Q6.
What is the time signature of this bar?

An image in a quiz
6/8
12/8
3/4
4/4
Correct answer: 5/4