KS3 · Music · Year 9
Creating a performance
Year 9 song guides
Learn it. Recall it. Make it stick.
IllumED Slides
IllumED · 1/11
Your learning goal
I can perform a song with an understanding of musical shape, balance and clear diction.
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Creating a performance: slides adapted from the imported teaching text; recall questions created from its keywords, learning points and common mistakes. Self-check practice, with no automatic grading or XP. Answers stay on this page and are cleared when you leave.
What you’ll learn
I can perform a song with an understanding of musical shape, balance and clear diction.
Key learning points
- Pedal notes create tension and excitement in music
- Appropriate use of dynamics and emphasis within the phrase can add shape to a melody
- Correct balance in a vocal ensemble is important for creating a harmonious sound
- Singing a piece through changing textures
- Singing a melody with an extended range and more complex phrases for breathing
Words to know
- pedal
- a continuous pitch or note in the music which remains the same as the other harmonies change
- diction
- the clear pronunciation and enunciation of words to convey the lyrics clearly and effectively
- balance
- the adjustment of the dynamics of each part in an ensemble to ensure each part can be heard and altogether they create a clear, harmonious sound
- musical shape
- how we use dynamics and stresses within the phrase to give a sense of direction to a performance
Common mistakes
Diction (articulation) is just about clear pronunciation.
Articulation is also connected to taking suitable singing breaths. If breathing is poorly controlled, consonants can sound weak or unclear, and vowels lose focus. Good breath support allows the voice to stay energised through quick or complex lyrics.
For parents, carers and teachers
- The lesson encourages pupils to focus on balance, musical shape and diction. You might choose to focus particularly on one factor over the other and cater your warm ups to focus on that particular element. The percussion part could be performed with stamps and claps in certain points in the music.