This Music video introduces teachers to lesson four of the Caribbean unit, where pupils encounter the quaver note for the first time. The quaver is worth half a beat and usually appears in pairs to make up a full beat. In this lesson, pupils use their prior knowledge of the calypso chorus rhythm to help them identify and play quavers on tuned percussion instruments, supported by note names written on the score and on the instrument bars.

This video is part of Kapow Primary’s Music scheme – notes. It develops children’s independence with reading notation, connecting their oral memory of rhythms with written staff notation. Teachers are guided to bring together the vocal and percussion parts, ensuring pupils can combine rhythm, melody, and their headlines from earlier lessons to prepare for the final calypso performance.

Music, KS2 Whole-class instrumental lessons, Instrumental lessons, Unit 2: Caribbean (Instrumental lessons), Lesson 4: Calypso quavers