Year 3 - Music
Playing and singing simultaneously
Start with playing: adding percussive layers to build texture in our songs
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This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
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 play a rhythmic ostinato and sing at the same time.
Key Notes
- A simple way to create an ostinato is to use rhythms from a song or chant.
- Using stick notation is one way of notating an ostinato.
- An ostinato can make an effective accompaniment to our singing.
- Performing a rhythmic ostinato as we sing a song adds texture and interest to our performance.
Vocabulary To Learn
- rhythm: the pattern of sounds that we play and sing
- stick notation: a way of writing music down
- ostinato: a repeating musical pattern which can by rhythmic or melodic
- accompaniment: a musical part that supports the main melody or chant
- texture: the combination of different layers of sounds
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- An ostinato is not a very exciting accompaniment.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain the lesson in two key points.
A simple way to create an ostinato is to use rhythms from a song or chant. Using stick notation is one way of notating an ostinato.
2. What does this key word mean in this lesson? 'rhythm'
the pattern of sounds that we play and sing.
3. Correct this common mistake.
Mistake: An ostinato is not a very exciting accompaniment. Correction: An ostinato can make a singing performance more interesting and memorable. Ostinatos are used to great effect in many pieces of music in different styles and genres.
More Lessons In This Unit
Browse all guides in the Year 3 Music guide library.