Study Guides

Unit Summary

In this unit pupils add simple vocal accompaniments to songs. They learn chanted and sung ostinati, adding these to songs they have learnt. Pupils practise in order to improve and understand the importance of maintaining a steady pulse.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to use body percussion to keep a steady beat whilst singing.

Key Notes

• When we sing the same melody together, we are singing in unison.
• We can use body percussion to accompany a song.
• Music in 4-time has a beat pattern of strong-weak-medium-weak.
• Body percussion can be played on the beat to help us hear the pattern of beats in 4-time.

Vocabulary To Learn

• unison: playing or singing the same thing at the same time
• beat: the playing or showing of the steady pulse, like the ticking of a clock
• body percussion: to make a percussive musical sound with the body
• accompaniment: a musical part that supports the main melody or chant
• 4-time: the organisation and feel of the beats as: strong-weak-medium-weak

Common Mistakes To Avoid

• One instrument can only make one type of sound.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

More Lessons In This Unit

• Building a thicker texture with a chanted ostinato Study Guide
• Building a thicker texture with a sung ostinato Study Guide
• Developing part singing Study Guide
• Developing pulse and moving in time to the music Study Guide
• Performing songs with simple accompaniments Study Guide