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Patterns in Songs

Songs use repeating beats and choruses. Tap the rhythm, hum the refrain, and hear the pattern loop again.

Class 3 to 5beginner15 min3 lessons
By the end you will be able to
  • Clap the steady beat in a short song
  • Point to where the chorus repeats
  • Describe a rhythm pattern using sounds or letters

Finish first

Patterns in Nature
Topic contents

Lesson 1 of 3

Feel the beat

Most songs have a steady beat you can tap with your foot. Tap-tap-tap-tap keeps time even when words change.

The beat is like a metronome. It does not change every line; it holds the song together while melody moves above it.

Try tapping beats while a friend sings one verse. Keep tapping through the chorus. The beat pattern stays.

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Lesson 2 of 3

Chorus as a repeat unit

The chorus is the part everyone knows. It often returns after each verse, just like A-B repeating on a strip.

Hum only the chorus three times in a row. Notice how your brain expects the same tune each time.

Rhythm patterns can use rest sounds too. Tap-rest-tap-tap is still a pattern when the rest is counted as a step.

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Lesson 3 of 3

Write rhythm with letters

Use B for beat and R for rest. B-B-R-B-B-R can be clapped in class without any instruments.

Trade patterns with a partner. Clap theirs, then check if you matched every rest and beat.

Next you will build your own pattern from scratch using the pattern lab.

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Practice

Work these out yourself

No answer key here on purpose: these are the questions worth thinking through before you move on. Open one and work it out.

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Assessment

Check your understanding

Answer each question, then read the explanation. That is where the learning is.

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  1. Question 1: What stays steady while verses change in many songs?
    Question 1 / 4

    What stays steady while verses change in many songs?

    Select an option first
  2. Question 2: A chorus is like which pattern idea?
    Question 2 / 4

    A chorus is like which pattern idea?

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  3. Question 3: In rhythm, a rest means what?
    Question 3 / 4

    In rhythm, a rest means what?

    Select an option first
  4. Question 4: Writing B for beat and R for rest helps you do what?
    Question 4 / 4

    Writing B for beat and R for rest helps you do what?

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4 of 4 questions left.

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