Study Guides

Unit Summary

In this unit, pupils explore texture by adding untuned percussion layers to songs and chants. Using repeated rhythms, pupils will develop their sense of pulse and accuracy of rhythm. They will identify rhythmic ostinati in listening examples and begin to describe texture.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to chant and sing with a secure sense of pulse.

Key Notes

• When we sing, play, or listen to music, we can feel the steady pulse.
• A steady pulse is important in music because it helps keep us in time as we sing or play.
• When we show or sound the pulse, it is called the beat.
• The beat can be sounded using instruments or body percussion, or shown with actions and movements.

Vocabulary To Learn

• warm-up: a sequence of exercises used to prepare the mind, body and voice for singing / playing instruments
• pulse: the regular, steady heartbeat of the music
• beat: the playing or showing of the steady pulse, like the ticking of a clock

Common Mistakes To Avoid

• We can always hear the pulse in music.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

More Lessons In This Unit

• Adding simple instrumental parts to songs and chants Study Guide
• Building texture with a rhythmic ostinato Study Guide
• Playing and singing simultaneously Study Guide
• Rehearsing layers of unpitched accompaniments under a chant Study Guide
• Rehearsing layers of unpitched accompaniments under a song Study Guide