The Bear is Sleeping: Lesson Ideas

4. Week 5 & 6 - Scales – fun with pentascales!

The first five notes of a scale can be referred to as a pentascale. 

This folk song primarily uses the F major pentascale. Although this scale isn’t assessed at the Initial Grade, it useful for your pupil to be able to play the first five notes of the scale to prepare for playing this piece. You can also introduce the pentascales of the scales that do need to be played in the Initial Grade exam, C major and D minor. 

• Accompaniments – here are teacher accompaniments you can use when your pupil plays the F major pentascale. There is also a version in D minor so that you work with your pupil in two different keys. 
• Encourage your pupil to improvise a melody that illustrates the title of the piece The Bear is Sleeping. How will this affect the way they play?

 Improvising tips for pupils

• Make sure that you play long and short notes. 
• Start and finish on an F.  
• Remember to use the Bb, not a B. 
• Make sure you include silence in your playing like breathing when singing. 
• Use notes next to each other and some of the same notes.

Here is an example of a pupil using a pentascale in a piece of music.