Music

Year 5 and 6

This term 5/6 classes are learning and playing band instruments! The aim is for students to experience and learn at least the very basics of instruments that they may want to play in the future, and enough for them to play in a group. For students who already have experience with these instruments it is a chance to play with others.

We have started with guitar and spent the last three weeks learning how to play Smoke On The Water and how to read Tab! The students have different skills and are trying their best at learning from where they are at - from getting those fingers to hold down a string to working on chords. 

We have been looking at growth mindset posters to help with the frustrations we can feel when something doesn’t sound right!

Next, we will play the keyboard and finally the drum kit.

Year 3 and 4

Over the last three weeks, 3/4 classes have learned about the beat, rhythm and melody of the song “Buy A Penny Ginger”. 

Buy a penny ginger

Put it in your pocket

Buy a penny ginger

Put it in your pocket

Doo nakah doo nakah doo kay

We have sung it, found the pattern, played the game, found the beat, written the rhythm, and mapped the melody. We have also found the rhythm of our names!

Students have been remembering the difference between the beat and the rhythm with our chant:

The beat is the heartbeat, the rhythm is the words

Next we will be playing it on tuned percussion.

Year 1 and 2

Over the last three weeks, 3/4 classes have learned the song “Alabama Gal”. Students learned about repeat symbols and dynamics (p - soft, mp - medium soft, mf - medium loud, f - loud). Here you can see how some students decided on the dynamics for the song. 

We played a game using the song and played an accompaniment on xylophones!

Foundation

Foundation students have continued singing and jamming with instruments. 

Our latest song is called “Donkeys and Carrots”

Donkeys are in love with carrots

Carrots aren’t in love at all

Hee haw, hee haw

Listen to that donkey call

Students have explored the music words for soft (piano), medium soft (mezzo piano), medium loud (mezzo forte) and loud (forte) and their symbols - p, mp, mf and f.