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Year 3 - Music

Composing a major pentatonic melody

Compose and Create: major pentatonic melodies

Unit Summary

Pupils discover the power and versatility of the pentatonic scale. Pupils learn that pentatonic music is found around the world and sing pentatonic songs from every continent. A three-line simplified stave is used for notation. Pupils play and compose pentatonic melodies on tuned percussion.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to compose, notate and perform a major pentatonic melody that uses dotted rhythms (Ta-mi).

Key Notes

  • Compositions can be changed and improved with the music being created over time.
  • Music can be shared by the oral tradition. It can also be notated to be shared and remembered for another day.
  • Stick notation is one way to notate our compositions.
  • Rehearsing is essential to help us prepare for a performance.
  • Playing slowly and keeping to the steady pulse is one way to help us to rehearse and perform effectively.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • compose: to create a piece of music over time
  • melody: a combination of notes to make a memorable tune
  • phrase: a musical thought, like a sentence in a story
  • rehearse: to practise in order to improve and prepare for performance
  • perform: to present music, playing or singing for an audience

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • Rehearsing isn't important. We can just do it if we have time.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

1. Explain the lesson in two key points.

Compositions can be changed and improved with the music being created over time. Music can be shared by the oral tradition. It can also be notated to be shared and remembered for another day.

2. What does this key word mean in this lesson? 'compose'

to create a piece of music over time.

3. Correct this common mistake.

Mistake: Rehearsing isn't important. We can just do it if we have time. Correction: Rehearsing helps us to practise and prepare, so our performance can be successful.

More Lessons In This Unit

Browse all guides in the Year 3 Music guide library.