Skip to content

Study Hub

Study Guides

This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.

Year 6 - Music

Polyrhythmic accompaniments

Sing, play, perform: accompanying songs with polyrhythms

Unit Summary

This unit explores different rhythm patterns from around the world. Through body percussion pupils play contrasting styles of rhythms and transfer these onto untuned percussion. They play one rhythm against another, building up layers of sound whilst maintaining a secure sense of pulse.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to rehearse songs with many layers effectively to prepare for a performance.

Key Notes

  • Rehearsing together makes sure that everybody knows their part in the ensemble and when to play.
  • Rehearsing together is a skill that can be developed.
  • Performing to a small audience gives you the opportunity to develop your performance skills.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • rehearse: to practise in order to improve and prepare for performance
  • perform: to present music, playing or singing for an audience
  • accompaniment: a musical part that supports the main melody
  • polyrhythm: playing two or more conflicting rhythms at the same time

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • We only need to rehearse if we find our part difficult.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

1. Explain the lesson in two key points.

Rehearsing together makes sure that everybody knows their part in the ensemble and when to play. Rehearsing together is a skill that can be developed.

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

to practise in order to improve and prepare for performance.

3. Correct this common mistake.

Mistake: We only need to rehearse if we find our part difficult. Correction: Rehearsing can warm you up for a performance and make sure you feel alert and ready to perform. It also makes sure you know when and how to play and not just what to play.

More Lessons In This Unit

Browse all guides in the Year 6 Music guide library.