Year 3 - Music
Decoding more complex rhythm grids
Compose and Create: notating and performing using rhythm grids
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Study Guides
This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
This unit explores composing rhythmic patterns through the use of rhythm grids. Pupils are inspired by exciting percussive performances and work in groups to create and perform their own challenging rhythmic patterns.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to read and compose rhythm grid notation that includes many symbols.
Key Notes
- The beat can be subdivided into smaller parts and can be notated on a rhythm grid as symbols such as dots.
- A rhythm grid can help you to read and perform layers of music at the same time, creating a thick texture.
- Multiple different symbols can represent different sounds on the same rhythm grid.
Vocabulary To Learn
- rhythm: the pattern of sounds and silences that we play and sing
- beat: the playing or showing of the steady pulse, like the ticking of a clock
- texture: the combination of different layers of sounds
- notation: a way of writing music down
- ostinato: a repeating musical pattern which can be rhythmic or melodic
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Rhythm grid notation only shows one instruction - play and rest.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain the lesson in two key points.
The beat can be subdivided into smaller parts and can be notated on a rhythm grid as symbols such as dots. A rhythm grid can help you to read and perform layers of music at the same time, creating a thick texture.
2. What does this key word mean in this lesson? 'rhythm'
the pattern of sounds and silences that we play and sing.
3. Correct this common mistake.
Mistake: Rhythm grid notation only shows one instruction - play and rest. Correction: Rhythm grid notation can give many instructions, including which instrument to play.
More Lessons In This Unit
Browse all guides in the Year 3 Music guide library.