Instrumental - Year 4 Activity Sheet 2

Year 4 Activity Sheet 2 offers a structured sequence of musical exercises designed to develop pupils' understanding and performance skills using tuned instruments. The first task requires children to sing while playing the pulse, starting with the note G, which lays the foundation for rhythm and timing. Following this, the second activity has them sing and simultaneously play the rhythm on their instruments, further reinforcing their musical coordination.

As the children progress, they are encouraged to think about the rhythm and play it independently, without vocal guidance. This encourages internalisation of the rhythm. The fourth activity introduces complexity by having half the group maintain the pulse while the other half plays the rhythm, promoting teamwork and an understanding of different musical roles. The fifth task focuses on practising a tuned ostinato pattern, which is a repetitive musical phrase, and this can also be adapted for un-tuned instruments to explore rhythmic patterns. Students then blend singing with playing the tuned ostinato, gradually building towards the ability to manage two tasks simultaneously. The final step of the main activities involves singing while fully playing the tuned ostinato. For those ready for a challenge, the extension activity invites any student to attempt playing the melody. This activity sheet is part of the resources complementing ACTIVE MUSIC Year 4 Lesson 4, aimed at enhancing musical literacy and performance skills in a fun and engaging manner.