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  3. Lower key stage 2 >
  4. Year 3 >
  5. Reggae rhythms: Playing in a band >
  6. Lesson 3: Playing offbeat rhythms
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This is preview content for the 2026-27 academic year. Your feedback will help us improve these units.

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This is preview content for the 2026-27 academic year. Your feedback will help us improve these units.

Learning objective

  • To play offbeat chords following a given pattern.

Success criteria

  • I can explain what the offbeat is.
  • I can
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National curriculum

Music

Pupils should be taught to:

  • Play
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Cross-curricular links

None.

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Before the lesson

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Lesson plan

Recap and recall

Show the Presentation: Spot the mistake. Read the question on the slide and play the three audios. Ask the class to listen carefully and identify which one is not a chord. Pupils should show one, two or three fingers to indicate their answer.

Learning objective

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Adaptive teaching

Pupils needing extra support:

  • Could play a single note (C or F) on the offbeat instead of a chord to focus on timing.
  • Could work with a partner to play only on beat 2 or 4 to practise the offbeat pattern.

Pupils working at greater depth:

  • Should play both chords on the offbeat accurately by following the pattern of Three Little Birds.
  • Should play a three-note chord (triad) instead of a two-note chord to increase complexity.
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Assessing progress and understanding

Pupils with secure understanding can:

  • Explain what the offbeat is.
  • Play offbeat chords on
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Vocabulary definitions

  • beat

    The steady rhythm that helps keep time (e.g. 1, 2, 3, 4).

  • chord

    Two or more notes played together.

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In this unit

Assessment - Music: Reggae rhythms: Playing in a band

Lesson 1: Playing a bass line

Lesson 2: Playing chords

Lesson 3: Playing offbeat rhythms

Lesson 4: Writing lyrics

Lesson 5: Practise and perform

Originally created by:

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Maintained by: Kapow Primary team

Last update: 10th April, 2026

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Lesson 2: Playing chords Previous Lesson
Lesson 4: Writing lyrics Next Lesson

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