Instrument specific techniques
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can identify and apply technical and expressive skills needed for my instrument.
Key learning points
- Good technique ensures comfort, control, and better tone.
- Posture and position affect sound quality and stamina.
- Coordination and control can be developed through slow, focused practice.
- Listening critically to your own playing helps you evaluate and improve your tone and expression.
Keywords
Posture - the way you hold your body while performing
Coordination - the physical skill of using your body fluently and accurately when playing
Tone - the quality or character of a sound
Expression - adding feeling and emotion to music
Common misconception
Good technique is only important for advanced players, beginners just need to focus on learning the notes.
Technique and note learning go hand in hand from the start. Poor habits developed early are much harder to correct later and can slow down your progress.
Teacher tip
Encourage pupils to do a quick posture check at the start of every practice session before they start playing.
Equipment
Pupils will need access to their instruments.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
4 Questions
Q1.Which aspect of performance focuses on playing the correct notes and rhythms?
Q2.Which word describes playing or singing in tune?
Q3.Why might a performer choose a piece they enjoy performing?
Q4.What word describes the personal understanding a performer brings to a piece?
Assessment exit quiz
4 Questions
Q1.Which word describes the clarity and quality of the sound a performer produces?
Q2.Match the area of technique to the example.
Q3.True of false? Good technique is only important for advanced players, beginners just need to focus on learning the notes.
Q4.Which practice strategy is most likely to improve coordination and control?
To help you plan your 10 music lesson on: Instrument specific techniques, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 music lesson on: Instrument specific techniques, 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 4 music lessons from the Introduction to performance unit, dive into the full secondary music curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.