L4 - Playing in canon

Lesson Objectives:

  • To demonstrate an understanding of canon and how it works

  • To be able to play Pachelbel's melodies in 2 part canon

Lesson 4 - Unit 5

Prepare for Learning - Lesson 4

Watch the video below. You will be questioned about it in next lesson


Make the effort to practice the melodies you need for this lesson, either come to the music department at break/lunch time/after school, use a keyboard at home or use a piano app on your phone/chromebook.

Playing In Canon

Watch the video and look out for the following:

  • All performers are playing the same music

  • The performers enter at different times (after 4 bars)

  • This is called playing in canon

As each player enters the canon the texture gets thicker, and becomes polyphonic

Playing In Canon: Top Tips

  • Keep the pulse in your body, even when you aren’t playing

  • When the second player enters, the notes should sound at the same time as player one, as melodies 1 and 2 have the same rhythm.

  • If you run out of melodies to play, simply repeat the ones you do know (or learn to play some more!)