Lesson 4: The percussive river

Using the contrasting features of the different stages of a river for inspiration, children compose their own percussive ostinatos

Before the lesson

Download classroom resources

Learning objectives

  • To create and perform an ostinato.

 

National curriculum

Pupils should be taught to:

  • Understand and explore how music is created, produced and communicated, including through the inter-related dimensions: pitch, duration, dynamics, tempo, timbre, texture, structure and appropriate musical notations

Success criteria

Cross-curricular links

Attention grabber

Main event

Differentiation

Remember that in Music, pupils you might expect to need support may not need it, and those you would class as working at greater depth in other curriculum areas might need support.

Pupils needing extra support: Write a sentence for them to use to generate their ostinato rhythm. They could write the rhythm directly under the words, copying the way notes look from the Presentation: The percussive river. Alternatively, they could choose their own way to notate the rhythm.

 

Pupils working at greater depth: Could create a longer ostinato pattern. Each person in the pair could create a separate ostinato which can then be played together.

Wrapping up

Assessing pupils' progression and understanding

Vocabulary

Created by:
Laura Barr,  
Music specialist
In her 14 year teaching career, Laura assumed the role of Music Lead, and was Head of Music in a large secondary school. Laura has a passion for working with children with a disadvantaged background, either through deprivation or disability,…
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