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Subjects

Art and design Computing Design and technology French Geography History Music Physical education Spanish Religion and worldviews RSE & PSHE Science Wellbeing

Lesson 5: Improvisation and the blues

Using the notes from the blues scale, learned in the previous lesson, and improvising blues music by playing the notes in different orders.

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Learning objective

To be able to improvise with notes from the blues scale.

Success criteria

I can play the blues scale notes out

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National curriculum

Music

Pupils should be taught to:

Improvise

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Cross-curricular links

None.

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Before the lesson

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Lesson plan

Recap and recall

Display the Presentation: Speak like an expert, play the audio clip and give the children some time to discuss.

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Adaptive teaching

Pupils needing extra support

Could add coloured sticky dots to the notes that need to be played; could play the short sections of pre-prepared improvisation using the Activity: Blues improvisation.

Pupils working at greater depth

Should have a go at improvising without any prompts; should try and improvise for the whole duration of the 12-bar blues backing track.

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Assessing progress and understanding

Pupils with secure understanding indicated by: playing a selection of blues scale

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Vocabulary definitions

improvisation

Creating something without preparation, making it up on the spot.

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In this unit

Assessment - Music Y5: Blues

Lesson 1: History of the blues

Lesson 2: Playing a chord

Lesson 3: The 12-bar blues

Lesson 4: Blues scale

Lesson 5: Improvisation and the blues

Originally 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, and now works…

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