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Year 2 - Music

Performing and improvising within an ABA structure

Compose and create: improvising with four notes

Unit Summary

In this unit, pupils use a baking theme to replicate and improvise four note melodies. Pupils read and reorder known rhythm patterns and use these to improvise on pitched percussion within their four note toneset. A final performance in ABA structure is created.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to perform an ABA piece, keeping a steady pulse and improvising thoughtfully on the notes do, mi, so and la.

Key Notes

  • We can improvise alone, with a partner, or in an ensemble.
  • To improvise thoughtfully, we can think about which notes we might use or which rhythm we might play.
  • When we play and improvise in a group ensemble, it is important to listen to each other and keep a steady pulse.
  • We can structure our musical performance to make it more interesting.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • call and response: a question and answer musical structure
  • improvise: to thoughtfully create new musical ideas in the moment
  • melody: a combination of notes to make a memorable tune
  • structure: the way the music is organised
  • ensemble: a group of people who perform together

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • Improvising doesn't require any thought.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

1. Explain the lesson in two key points.

We can improvise alone, with a partner, or in an ensemble. To improvise thoughtfully, we can think about which notes we might use or which rhythm we might play.

2. What does this key word mean in this lesson? 'call and response'

a question and answer musical structure.

3. Correct this common mistake.

Mistake: Improvising doesn't require any thought. Correction: Before we improvise, we think about what notes or rhythms we might play and how we will structure our playing, but the final product is played in the moment.

More Lessons In This Unit

Browse all guides in the Year 2 Music guide library.