April 2023

We will be looking at the Amazing Egyptians over the next few weeks and learning how the structure of music can be layered like a pyramid. Also talking about dynamics.

Here is a clip explaining what that means...

March 2023

We are learning about music from the past this term, looking at La Morisque a dance from the Renaissance. Can you remember the moves and have a go at home?

January 2023

We will be exploring sounds in the next half term, and learning to beatbox! :)

Here is a quick lesson and a new song we will be learning.

November 2022

This half term we are learning the ukulele! My Dog Has Fleas!! :)

We will be learning how to pick and strum the strings and where to put our fingers on the frets to make chords so that we can accompany some songs. If you have a ukulele at home you can practise playing along to these songs below once we have learnt all the chords. Next to me uses Am and C chords. Enjoy!!

Here are some videos for you to watch about Tempo (the speed of the beat or music)

October 2022

So, we are into our new school year and hopefully now you are all settled in your new classes!

We have had fun in Year 4 learning Build (see clip below) and looking at the structure of the song. We have been building our own layers of sound using ostinati to play in groups on percussion instruments.

For the next few weeks we will be listening to music from around the world and revising the pentatonic scale we looked a last year. Here is one to have a listen to... 

March 2022

We are learning to read the duration of notes (how long they last) in music this half term so here is a link to watch to help.

January 2022

So the first part of this term we will be exploring sounds and working out how different instruments produce different sounds and how they are classified (or grouped) We will have a go at some beat boxing sounds and be learning some fun new songs. 

Here is a song to listen to that we will be learning...Hey Mister Miller.

See if you can work out what instruments you can hear.

November

This half term we will be learning the ukulele! Yay! (Hope you are excited for this...I am!)

We will learn how to play chords and strum and pick out notes. I have some fun songs planned for us to learn including the James Bond theme tune :) If you have a ukulele at home you will be able to practise. Watch this space for more tunes...

October 2021

So we have have been learning what an ostinato is in our building topic (see clip below...I know how much you all love it!) and also exploring pitch and pentatonic scales using glockenspiels and listening to melodies from around the world based on this 5 note scale. Remember swing low? Have a look at these to remind you.

2nd March

This week I would like you to listen to the clip below of a band of musicians recreating some Elizabethan music using instruments from the past. Do you recognise any of them?

The first with a handle to turn it is called a hurdy gurdy! Do you like the sound?

Then a small guitar a bit like a ukulele.

Next in the line is a tiny recorder and lastly a cornett (a bit like a trumpet)

What happens to the music at 1.58 mins?

I have also added a clip explaining the hurdy gurdy. Enjoy!

Looking forward to seeing you all back in school for music next week! :)

23rd February

Hi there! Hope you had a good half term :)

We will be looking at music from the past (as in a long long time ago!) over the next few weeks.

Listen to this piece of music below called La Morisque. It's a dance.

How long ago do you think it was written?

Which instruments can you hear? Make a list.

And now listen to this fanfare. How is it different from the first piece of music?

Can you draw a picture to go with either one or both of these and write down any words that come to mind when you listen.

10th February

This week I would like you to look at this lesson on how music tells a story.

It has some clips for you to listen to and describe how the music makes you feel.

Have a go at listening with a family member if you're at home and discussing it with them.

Try to use the proper musical language of tempo and dynamics.

2nd February

So this week we are going to be thinking about syncopation which is a posh word for off beat music. 

Listen to the extract from The syncopated Clock by Leroy Anderson.

Can you hear the wood block going 'tick tock'?

It mostly plays a steady beat but sometimes it goes into an off beat syncopated rhythm.

Here is an extra little clip which helps to explain syncopation with a song. 

Watch it twice (it's only short!) Have a go at clapping along the second time.

Listen out for syncopated rhythms in any other music you listen to this week. :)

26th January

This week we are thinking about chordophones or instruments that have strings that vibrate to produce their sound. Can you think of any before you watch the clip below?

Have a listen to this lovely clip of an arrangement of The Chain by Fleetwood Mac for guitar and ukulele. They are really enjoying playing together. Remember our ukulele lessons? :)

What other chorophones can you hear in any other music you listen to this week?

19th January

Still thinking about aerophones this week. Have a listen to the clip below of Glenn Miller and his dance band playing In the Mood. It should get your feet tapping :)

What other aerophones can you hear?

And what accompanying instruments can you see that are not aerophones?

12th January

This week have a listen to these two examples of aerophones. These are instruments that produce a sound by air flowing through them.

Enjoy the jazzy sound of the saxophone and the trumpet duet below.

Spring term 2021

7th Jan

Over the next few weeks we will be exploring sounds and looking at the way different instruments produce different sounds. We will then try to group them.

Have you heard a drum kit play before?

Watch this demo of all the sounds.

We are going to try learning some of the basic sounds with our mouths. This is called beatboxing.

Watch the lesson below and have a go.

Week 5   1/12/20

Here is the ukulele power point I have been using in class. Have a look to remind yourself of the string names and chord positions of C, A minor and F that we have learnt.

If you have a ukulele you can practise going between the chords and also Jingle bells. This is the one we will be doing for the carol service.

Enjoy playing :) Oh and don't forget to listen to the Shepherd's song below and learn that too!

Week 4   25/11/20

You worked hard to play along to Next to me. Well done! :)

Here is the next chord to learn  F major. It is very similar to A minor just with an extra finger.

Have a go at home if you have a ukulele.

Next week we will be learning to play Jingle bells

Here is your class Christmas song that we will be learning. Please have a listen and sing along.

Week 3   18/11/20

You worked hard in class today to learn another chord. A minor.

Below is a reminder of how to play it so if you have a ukulele at home you can practise it and then practise going from C chord to A minor after 4 'walks' (steady beats)

If not, have a listen to this song Next to me by Emeli Sande as we will be trying to play along to it in class next week.

Week 2    11/11

You all did really well with the ukulele this week. Good Job!

Here is a quick lesson to remind you of our C chord we learnt.

Now to inspire you to practise have a listen to Lava which is a Disney song  accompanied by the ukulele. If we learn a few more chords we may be able to play along...

Week 1    4/11/20

Hope you enjoyed your first session with the ukuleles :)

See if you can remember all the different parts and the string names. Remember they spell

Green Cats Eat Ants    G   C   E   A

Watch the clip below which goes over my dog has fleas. (It's a slightly different tune to the one I taught you)

If you have a ukulele at home strum along with the open strings. Don't worry about the chords unless you already know them.

October half term activities

Hi there. So we have already done 6 weeks of music making this school year and are getting used to new ways to sing and play instruments in class.

We have been learning about layering sounds and pitch in our Building and Around the world topics.

Watch the lesson below to find the 'Boom snap clap' chant we learnt.

See if you can remember it.

Week beg 13/07

Hello! Last week of term! :)

Hope you have been able to have a go at the musical activities I have been putting up here and enjoyed learning some new songs.

To round off the term here is a  link to some YCC Kids Songs that the young people from my church have put together. (My Lighthouse and Be Happy are my faves!)

They are fun to join in with and remind us that Jesus is always with us no matter what we are doing or where we are.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yi_-8jmfbAw&list=PLwNX5-_NasbzG19bKuKSz9kp4wCjTxN4g

I am sorry not to be able to say goodbye to you in person but will pray that you have a wonderful summer and I look forward to seeing you all back in September.

Keep on singing and making music! 

Take care and God bless

Mrs Bowsher

Week beg 6/07

Have a look at the song of the week, I can see clearly now, from Singup at home.

https://www.singup.org/singupathome/song-of-the-week

It's a lovely sunny, feel good song which I expect the adults in your house will sing along to aswell!

Remember to try some of the activities that go with it.

And have a think about other songs you know that make you feel good. Why do you think that is? Is it the words or the tune or the instruments?  Do you have a favourite? Ask your adults too. 

Enjoy singing this week :)

Week beg 29/06

This week I would like you to have a look at this lesson all about singing with dynamics (loud and quiet)

https://classroom.thenational.academy/lessons/to-sing-with-an-awareness-of-dynamics-styles-and-emotions-e99c8d/activities/1

Think about your favourite songs...are they loud or quiet or do they have a mixture of dynamics?

Can you make a list of all the loud and quiet sounds that you may hear on a walk outside? Lorries...Wind in the trees...

Or the sounds that animals make...loud like a bear growling or quiet like a mouse squeaking.

Here is a beautiful song called Sakura. (You may remember it from year 2) Is it loud or quiet?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AOJnEt391nU

Week beg 22/06

This week have a look at this lesson about clapping to the pulse of a song in 3 and 4 time.

https://classroom.thenational.academy/lessons/to-clap-to-the-pulse-of-a-song-in-3-and-4-time-7cd951 

Listen to these two songs from the musical film Shrek. Can you clap along to the pulse and work out if they are in 3 or 4 time?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GfNJsDm5Di8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a3bI7kbVBwM

Most songs are in 2 or 4 time. What other songs can you find in 3 time? Enjoy discovering about metre (the musical word for different patterns of beat)

Have a listen to the Sounds from Kenya clip

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__yvrxmpDh4

Week beg 15/06

This week I would like you to watch Rob's Kitchen music https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P6eROCAV7IQ&feature=youtu.be and have a go at learning the original cup song (not the one from Pitch Perfect!) All you need is a table top and a plastic cup. It's a bit tricky in places but remember to pause when it says to practise and have a go.

It came from South America, maybe Brazil, which links nicely to our rainforest theme this week.

I thought you would enjoy singing along to the Rainforest song as well.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gBgV75NQRlQ

Maybe you can make up a very simple cup accompaniment to the song? Enjoy :)

Week beg 8/05

This week we are going to learn the song There was an old woman who swallowed a fly. After you have sung along remember to look at the activities too.

Can you sing it from memory and get it in the right order?

What other nonsense rhymes or songs do you know?

https://www.singup.org/singupathome/there-was-an-old-woman-who-swallowed-a-fly

As part of our under the sea theme here is a fun song from the little mermaid for you to sing along to. Love this song! Hope you enjoy it too :)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2gUQP-1C7A

Week beg June 1st

Hello, hope you all had a good half term and have been enjoying the sunshine.

This week we will be learning how to sing a scale. In the lesson below she uses the solfa system of hand movements. We looked at this a bit when we sang Do re mi. See if you can remember.

https://www.thenational.academy/year-4/foundation/sing-a-major-scale-year-4-wk3-5#slide-2

If you have access to a tuned instrument at home have a go at playing a scale.

What language does the word scale come from and what does it literally mean?

Here is a fun song for you to sing and dance along to. Enjoy! :)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jVKuOi3YEAM

Week beg 18/05

Hi there, this week have a look at this lesson on how to beat box using rhythmic patterns. I think you'll enjoy this one. There is a little bit of theory learning the notes that represent the beats but a chance to have a go as well.

https://www.thenational.academy/year-4/foundation/to-beat box-using-rhythmic-patterns-year-4-wk2-5#slide-2

If you know any good songs to beat box to maybe you can using the skills you have just learnt.Have fun! :)

Here is a beautiful song that I want to share with you all. It's called The Blessing and the words are a promise taken from the bible. This version sung by children is particularly lovely and this is my prayer to you all over this difficult time. I hope it speaks to you heart. Make sure you share it with your adults. God bless you all.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uiWZXLsdE9w

Week beg 11/05

Hi there, this week we will be reminding ourselves about pulse. Follow this link for a lesson. Hope you enjoy clapping along to the examples and learning the new call and response song at the end.

https://www.thenational.academy/year-4/foundation/pulse-year-4-wk1-5

Why don't you try to find the pulse of the songs you hear on the radio or to the adverts on the TV or ask a member of your family to sing their favourite song and clap along to the pulse. Which one was the fastest/slowest? Did any speed up or slow down at the end? Can you remember the musical word for the speed of the pulse?

https://www.singup.org/singupathome/songs-for-virtual-choirs/unison

I expect you are all missing your friends.Look for the song You've got a friend in me from Toy story and have a sing along. Remember...singing makes you feel good! :)

Week beg 4/5/20

Hi again, we now have access to the singup at home site which has loads of fun songs and activities so I will be sharing a different link each week. There will be a song to listen to and learn and various things to do related to that song. Look in 'Activities' or the 'Pupil pack'.

https://www.singup.org/singupathome/one-moment-one-people

This song is about working together. Hope you enjoy learning it and singing along. Use the tracks to learn the tune. You may even like to have a go at the harmony. Then perform it to your family using the backing track when you feel confident.

Choose one or two of the worksheets to do in the pupil pack. You could write about why singing makes your heart feel joyful or design a poster on ways we can be kind to each other. Or there is a fun word search. Enjoy!

Hi there, hopefully you have found this page where I will be putting some activities for you to do every week instead of your class page.

How did you get on with making instruments out of recycled materials last week? Try a different one this week. If you made a shaker, have a go at an instrument you can blow through. Check out this link that shows you what you can do with a balloon a straw and a toilet roll inner!  (that’s around 2.20 mins in)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qe_XNJN9PFo

Also try to make a groove. This is a pattern of repeated junk percussion sounds in layers. Ask a brother or sister or parent to help you out with this.

Choose 2 or 3 sounds to layer. They could be paper scrunching, a tub to tap with a spoon or an elastic band stretched over a tin.

Count 4 steady beats then choose which beats to play on. 1 and 3 or 2 and 4 or whatever you want. Build up your groove with other people joining in on different beats.

How does it sound? How can you make it better? Try again with different beat combinations.