Performing stylistically
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can analyse a jazz saxophone performance and can identify strategies to make my performances even more engaging to the listener.
Key learning points
- Creating an engaging performance comes down to a number of considerations.
- Playing stylistically is one of the most important, including using stylistic phrasing, articulation and timbre.
- Playing expressively is an important aspect of communicating music to an audience and engaging them.
- Good communication with other players is also crucial to creating an engaging performance.
- This creates an effective ensemble that play in time and with good balance.
Keywords
Stylistic - using features that are typical of the style, including phrasing, articulation, timbre and others
Phrasing - how a performer gives shape to sections of the melody through subtle use of dynamics, tone and articulation
Balance - the relative volume of different parts or instruments; effective balance is where every part can be heard clearly
Common misconception
Stylistic features are chosen by the composer, not influenced by the performer.
Stylistic features are a mixture of those used by the composer (e.g. melodic features, harmony, rhythms etc.) and the way that the music is played by the performer. This includes how they use phrasing, timbre, articulation and other features.
Teacher tip
Stylistic features will vary between styles, so consider providing guidance for pupils on core stylistic features of their styles. For beginners, considering simple features like accents or dynamics may be adequate, whereas more experienced performers could think about phrasing in more detail.
Files needed for this lesson
Performance exemplar - saxophone (saxophone part) 47.48 KB (PDF)
Performance exemplar - saxophone (audio) 2.11 MB (MP3)
Performance exemplar - saxophone (full score) 75.18 KB (PDF)
Download these files to use in the lesson.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
4 Questions
Q1.Which feature is most important for creating a clear sense of phrasing?
Q2.Which factor has the greatest impact on musical expression in a performance?
Q3. is the relative volume of instruments or parts of the music.
Q4.Swung rhythms, varied articulation, expressive use of different tone qualities or timbres, and playing slightly behind the beat are stylistic features of which style?
To help you plan your 11 music lesson on: Performing stylistically, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 11 music lesson on: Performing stylistically, 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 Solo performance unit, dive into the full secondary music curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.