June 2023

This term we have been looking at the topic of life cycles and listening to and playing music to fit each stage of life. Don't wake the baby and Brahms Lullaby for the baby stage. Going on to school life with Squelch and then moving into worklife with Deadline compositions. (If we have time we will reach old age!)

Shout out to Andrea who learnt to play Brahms Lullaby on the piano at home! Good job! :)

April 2023

So this term we will be exploring digital composition using the laptops. This will include pentatonic and ambiant sounds. We will be experimenting with different electronic sounds and beats and combining melody and rhythm to record, edit and refine our compositions and sharing them with each other.

March 2023

Our topic this term is keeping healthy and we are learning to sing and play chromatic scales on the glockenspiels. Here is the song dem bones...can you hear the notes going up in pitch in the middle bit?

January 2023

Here are some clips to help you learn the notes on the musical stave. If you have a recorder at home you can practise B. A reminder below...

Have a listen to these sound tracks and see if you can guess the movies... :)

November 2022

This half term we are looking at movie music and learning to create sound effects to match actions using voices, body percussion and instruments. Have a go at watching a cartoon or film with the sound muted and also just listen to the sounds without looking to see how the audio (what we hear) effects how we experience the visual. 

Watch this clip below to see how the experts create sounds for the movies we watch!

October 2022

So, here we are again...a new school year! Already in Year 5 we have been enjoying our Solar System topic and learning Sunblast. And we have also been working on our starry night music in groups to match an image. These were recorded yesterday and I was very impressed with your compositions. Good job Year 5!

Below are some pieces of music we will be listening to. Can you describe how each composer uses dynamics and texture in their music?

February 2022

Hi there...here is a fun clapping lesson for you to watch and have a go at to try and learn some note durations and rhythms ready for next week.

Enjoy! :)

January 2022

So you have now had your first recorder lesson...hope you enjoyed it! :)

If you have a recorder at home you can be having a practise until our next one in 2 weeks. I will put the B Funky link here for you to play along. Remember to blow very gently and make a doo shape with your tongue to make each new note.

If you don't have a recorder you can be practising learning your notes on the stave.

Remember the FACE in the SPACE song?

See the link below and try to make up your own little rhyme to help you remember the line notes.

Here they have used Eddie's Green Boots Don't Fit instead of Every Good Boy Deserves Football.  You can even have a go at drawing your own treble clefs. Enjoy! :)

November

This half term we will be exploring music from 1920's animated films to present day movies and learning techniques for creating sound tracks. We will be composing a piece and recording our ideas with graphic symbols.

October 2021

In our solar system topic we have been listening to the music of Gustav Holst's Planet Suite and Debussy's Clair de Lune (see links below) and thinking about the 3 T's: texture (one sound or many sounds) timbre (quality of sounds) and tempo (speed)

We have used the whole tone scale on glockenspiels to create some mysterious moon music and improvised a starry night piece using tinkly metal percussion instruments.

I know you all enjoyed singing Sun blast so here it is....

2nd March

This week I would like you to listen to the song below called Dry bones.

This was originally a gospel song (the earlier Delta Rhythm Boys version is there too!)

Can you describe the pitch of the lyrics? (Especially in the middle section)

What happens to the pitch when they go back down the body?

This tune uses a chromatic scale which I shall explain more in school.

See if you can sing along with the tune and make up some skeleton actions.

Looking forward to seeing you all back in the class for music next week :)

23rd February

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

Our topic in music is 'Keeping Healthy' and over the next few weeks we will be focusing on beat and rhythm (with a bit of P.E thrown in!)

Listen to this heart beat...

Now listen to the song below 'Body popping skeleton' and try to sing the echo part describing the body parts and the 'Move that skeleton don't you stop, work those muscles body pop' bit and do the actions.

Can you make up some of your own actions that are a bit different?

Be creative and don't forget to move your body. Maybe you can teach a family member if you are at home or do it with a partner in school.

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 I am going to remind you of the lesson a few weeks ago where we watched the notes on the stave clip. Here is a little reminder (although you have probably got a different rhyme to help you remember the line notes!)

Here are a couple of note naming quizzes for you to have a go at. 

The second one start slow but then speeds up.

See how you get on...did you make it right to the end.

If you find it hard at first have another go tomorrow! :) 

26th January

This is the last lesson in this series on pulse and metre. It includes recognising time signatures which means working out how many beats there are in a bar.

Once you have watched it, choose your favourite song or piece of music and see if you can work out what the time signature is.

19th January

Back to National Oak Academy lessons this week looking at music with 5 beats in a bar. I think you will enjoy putting body percussion to the Mission Impossible.

Also, have a listen to Dave Brubeck's Take 5 which is a famous jazz piece written with 5 beats in a bar.

Can you hear them?

You have to count quite quickly!

12th January

Here is a little reminder of something we may have touched on before...how to read the notes on the stave. If you have music lessons like piano, you will know some of this already.

If not, watch and learn.

You can practise drawing a treble clef and writing the notes out either on manuscript paper if you have some or just draw the 5 lines of the stave with a ruler.

Spring term 2021

7th Jan

This half term we will be continuing our understanding of pulse and rhythm using the National Oak Academy lessons. If you have not yet watched the previous lessons I would encourage you to as these ones build on them. (scroll back to find them)

This lesson does go over exploring 3 beats in a bar and then goes on to 6 beats in a bar.

Oliver twist is a bit of a challenge with the body percussion but gave it a go. 

Week 5   3/12/20

As we don't have a music lesson this week I would like you to keep listening to your class song for the Carol service Hooray in a manger. (scroll down to week 4) 

It's in 2 parts and you should already know the Away in a manger tune so concentrate on learning the other part. I will go over it in class next week.

Also have a listen to the sound effects below used by Looney Tunes.

Can you work out what actions they are meant to represent?

Week 4  26/11/20

Well done for all the lovely sound effects you created today with the instruments.

Over the weekend why don't you have a look at a cartoon and see if you can list the sound effects you hear. Are they real live sounds or played on instruments? Are they easy to recreate?

Can you make your own story board (a bit like Abstract Albert) and make up your own sequence of simple actions to put sounds to? Bring your ideas along to music in 2 weeks time.

I would also like you to listen to the song below as you will be learning it to sing as a class at the Carol service.

Week 3   19/11/20

Sorry we didn't have a music lesson this week but here is the next lesson from Oak Academy exploring 3 beats in a bar.

There is a very famous song you will all know in 3 beats and try learning the new one Down in the valley too. Enjoy learning! :)

Week 2    12/11

Here is the next lesson on pulse and metre where we will be learning about time signatures and 4 and 2 beats in the bar. (We went over this in class today)

Try to clap the strong beat to the music clips and have a go at learning the new song Lil Liza Jane too. 

Week 1    4/11/20

We will be learning more about pulse and rhythm over the next half term.

In our lesson this week we will learn the song Everybody loves Saturday Night.

Below is the link to the lesson we watched a clip from. Remind yourself of the song at home and have a go at tapping the pulse and then the rhythm. Which is easier?

Also tap along to the pulse of the different music clips. 

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 texture and tempo (do you remember what they mean?)and using them when describing music we listened to in our Solar system topic and learning to rap in Sun blast!

Listen to this song and see if you can describe the texture and tempo.

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

This week I would like you to look at this lesson about singing in major and minor keys.

https://classroom.thenational.academy/lessons/to-sing-a-major-and-minor-scale-using-solfege-7f83c3/activities/1
 

It uses the solfa system which we did look at briefly when we learnt Do Re Mi from the Sound of Music. Here's a little reminder of the original with the lovely Julie Andrews.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=drnBMAEA3AM&list=TLPQMDcwNzIwMjDCH8F3fXRsyw&index=1

Here is a version using the solfa hand signs. See if you can learn them and sing along.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3lU6X13icO0

Week beg 29/06

Thinking about the Olympics this week and in particular Japan, (who would have hosted this year) here are some clips to watch and compare. The song is a traditional Japanese folk song firstly played on the Koto. (You may remember it from year 2!)

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

This one is played by a small orchestra

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OAcpUcGa0Yc

This version you can sing along to in Japanese! 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FVTIb5eUsTw

How are the versions different? Think about tempo and pitch as well as arrangements and instruments. What sort of mood and emotions does it envoke?

This song uses the pentatonic scale which we have experimented with before. If you have a keyboard at home try making up your own melody using all the black notes.

Week beg 22/06

Thinking about Black Lives Matter this week have a listen to some of these songs following the link below. 

Try learning and singing along to Raise my voice and Lean on me.

https://www.singup.org/singupathome/black-lives-matter

Think about who  you are leaning on at the moment and is there anyone you can help support?

Also what are the issues you would like to raise your voice about? Maybe you can write some lyrics and put it to a simple tune? If you have a way of recording it I would love to hear it.

Have a listen to the Sounds from Kenya clip

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

Week beg 15/06

I saw this amazing body percussion duet and thought you'd love it. Have a look...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T3ufzZey_iY&feature=youtu.be

Now join in with this body percussion workshop. You'll need a bit of space but give it a go.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uFYAM_Gn2Wc&feature=youtu.be

Finally watch this...in the Hall of the body percussion king.You should recognise the music.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lk75qDst8wE&feature=youtu.be

Can you make up some simple body percussion to go with one of your favourite songs?

Practise it and perform it to a family member.

Week beg 8/05

This week we are going to learn the song Mama don't allow. It's a song from the 1920's and this version has a really nice body percussion accompaniment as well. Once you have sung along remember to look at the activities as there are some good ideas of extra things to do there.

Try to make up some more verses...eg: Papa/sister/Grandma don't allow....

https://www.singup.org/singupathome/mama-dont-allow

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 are going to be thinking about exploring our emotions in music. Listening to or playing music can be such an emotional experience. A familiar melody can bring comfort or stir up a memory or just make us want to get up and dance. The lesson below explains how we can think of relating different sounds to colours. Have a go and enjoy learning George Ezra's song Pretty Shining People.

https://www.thenational.academy/year-5/foundation/exploring-emotions-in-music-year-5-wk6-5

Week beg 18/05

Hi there,

This week have a look at this lesson on harmony (extra notes above or below the tune)

https://www.thenational.academy/year-6/foundation/singing-in-harmony-year-6-wk5-5#

It will teach you how to sing a harmony to a song with some fun examples from the Pentatonix to listen to.

After the lesson see if you can sing a harmony line to one of your favourite songs or pick out a harmony line when you listen to songs on the radio or TV.

Keep singing and hopefully we can all sing together again soon!

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, here is the link to our song this week Let love shine through an upbeat song celebrating our differences. There are lots of parts so try learning a harmony part as well as the melody. Maybe someone else in your family can sing along too. The activities in the pupil pack are the same as last week so have a go at one you haven't done yet.

https://www.singup.org/singupathome/let-love-shine-through

Here is an extra link to a lesson on pulse and rhythm. It's a good reminder of what you should already know! Hope you enjoy the broom dance from Stomp!

https://www.thenational.academy/online-classroom/year-5/foundation#subjects

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/be-the-change

Be the change is a song encouraging us to do just that! Hope you enjoy learning and singing it. Try the change acrostic or stand proud writing activity and there is a fun word search too.

If you are still working on your Garage band composition then keep going. Maybe think about adding some more sounds to thicken out the sound (texture) I would love to hear them one day!

Week beginning 27.04.20

Hello there, hopefully you have found this page where I will be putting your work on for the next few weeks till we're back to school.

Those of you who have Garage band can continue with your compositions. This week you can explore melody line loops. These can include any instruments which play a tune such as xylophone, saxophone, flute, trumpet etc. Have an experiment and try to find a sound that goes well with the groove of your rhythm track you made last week. Here is another link to look at if you need help.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qT1tiNNwAes

If you don’t have access to Garage band or an ipad but have a smart phone or android tablet, there are other music apps which include composing. See what you can find.

Or if you don’t have access to any of the above, you can still make music up using the things you have around you. If you have a keyboard, ukulele or recorder, see if you can make up a tune. Try writing it down on the stave. (Remember the face in the space song.) If you have no instruments you can always use your voice and add body percussion! Happy composing!