Structure Synonyms

Starter

This activity can be used to support learning in any lesson on song structure, or on musical structures more generally. The activity works best if students work individually, in pairs or in small groups.

Copy the following handout onto card and cut out around the dotted lines, forming ten separate cards. Make sure you have enough sets for every student/group of students in your class. You may wish to laminate these for future use:

Structure Synonyms: Cards

Explain to students that they have to pair up cards which share the same meaning. You could ask them to check their answers against a printout of the full sheet.

Extension

Explain that the cards describe the sections (structural segments) which are found in most songs. Considering the segments encountered in the activity, read the following clues out to the students and ask them to decide which particular segment is being described:

‘This section’s:

• lyrics usually contain the title of the song
• melody is high in pitch
• dynamic level tends to be loud
• music and lyrics are often repeated towards the end of the song.’

The answer is the chorus. By asking students to reflect on song structure in this way, they become more adept at listening to songs critically.

Plenary

Provide a song for students to listen to. As students listen, they should complete the following worksheet:

Structure Synonyms: Listening

Note that the song you choose should have the elements listed on the worksheet. You may wish to adapt the elements listed to fit the song you have chosen.