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Year 4 - Music

Reading and performing major melodies

Compose and Create: composing a major melody on a stave

Unit Summary

In this unit, pupils explore the tonality of a major melody through listening to a range of music. Pupils learn the major pentachord, the first five notes of the scale, on tuned percussion. They use this new scale to compose and notate short melodies.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to perform your major melody composition with increasing accuracy and a steady pulse.

Key Notes

  • We can compose and improvise using the pitches of the major pentachord.
  • Effective melodies move mostly by step, with some leaps.
  • Rondo form is a type of composition with a returning theme.
  • Rehearsing helps us get ready to perform.
  • When we perform we should pick a steady tempo and if we make a mistake we should try and find our place and continue.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • composition: a new piece of music that has been created
  • improvise: to create music in the moment, using the voice or instruments, alone or with others
  • rondo form: a musical structure with a returning theme - ABACA
  • theme: a short, recognisable musical idea that is the main musical idea for a composition
  • rehearsing: to practise in order to improve and prepare for performance

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • If we make a mistake during a performance, we should start again.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

1. Explain the lesson in two key points.

We can compose and improvise using the pitches of the major pentachord. Effective melodies move mostly by step, with some leaps.

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

a new piece of music that has been created.

3. Correct this common mistake.

Mistake: If we make a mistake during a performance, we should start again. Correction: While sometimes we might need to re-start, practising finding our place and carrying on playing is a great skill for a performer to develop.

More Lessons In This Unit

Browse all guides in the Year 4 Music guide library.