Homeschool Guide: These lesson plans are a guide for parents. Content may contain errors — always cross-reference with official exam board specifications.

chords and accompaniment writing

FoundationHigherAll Boards

4 detailed 50-minute lessons with teaching scripts, worked examples, parent guides, and assessment criteria.

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Lesson Overview

Total Lessons: 4
Tier: Foundation and Higher
Duration: 50 minutes per lesson (200 minutes total)
Exam Boards: AQA, Edexcel, OCR, Eduqas, CCEA

Learning Objectives

Prerequisites

Materials & Equipment

Lesson 1: Introduction: chords and accompaniment writing

Duration: 50 minutes

Starter Activity (5 minutes)

Quick Recall

Write down everything you already know about chords and accompaniment writing. Then check against the key terms: Music Exam Tips. Use a mini-whiteboard or paper.

Main Content (35 minutes)

Parent/Teacher Guide:
Before lesson: Read the script below. Pre-teach key vocab: Music Exam Tips.
If stuck: Re-read the revision notes (link above), then break the content into smaller steps.
Extension: See the Stretch & Challenge ideas in Lesson 4.
Teaching Script (35 mins):
Mins 0-5 - Hook: "Today: chords and accompaniment writing. By the end you will be able to answer exam questions on it unaided. It connects to the rest of Music because the ideas here recur across the spec."
Mins 5-20 - Direct Instruction: Work through the core ideas below one at a time; after each, ask your student to explain it back in their own words.
Mins 20-30 - Guided Practice: Model the worked example together, then let your student attempt the first practice question with guidance.
Mins 30-35 - Independent Practice: 2-3 practice questions from Lesson 3 below, with immediate feedback.
First Look

Start with the revision notes summary, then attempt: Describe how chords and accompaniment writing are used in a piece of music you have studied. Use musical vocabulary.

Plenary (5 minutes)

Check Out

Your student states one thing they learned and one question they still have about chords and accompaniment writing.

Lesson 2: Core Concepts: chords and accompaniment writing

Duration: 50 minutes

Starter Activity (5 minutes)

Review Previous Lesson

Quick recap: write 3 key points from Lesson 1 on chords and accompaniment writing. Check them against the notes below.

Main Content (35 minutes)

Key Fact: Common pop progressions: I-V-vi-IV (four-chord loop), I-IV-V (rock/blues), ii-V-I (jazz cadence) — each creates a different harmonic character.
Key Fact: Accompaniment styles define genre: Alberti bass (Classical), riff (rock/pop), broken chords (Romantic), ostinato (minimalist), pedal/drone (folk/traditional).
Key Fact: Harmonic rhythm (how often chords change) affects momentum: fast harmonic rhythm creates drive; slow harmonic rhythm creates stasis and calm.
Key Fact: Dominant seventh chords (V7) create tension that resolves to the tonic — they are essential for cadences and key-defining progressions.
Music Exam Tips: Choose genre-appropriate progressions. Match accompaniment style to genre. Use cadences intentionally. Notate chord symbols. Annotate harmonic decisions.

Practice (10 minutes)

Q: Describe how chords and accompaniment writing are used in a piece of music you have studied. Use musical vocabulary.

Answer: A detailed description using precise musical vocabulary (e.g. specific terms from the AQA elements list), referencing a named piece with accurate observations about how the elements are used and their effect.

Plenary (5 minutes)

Explain Back

Your student teaches the key points back to you without looking. Fill any gaps immediately.

Lesson 3: Application: chords and accompaniment writing

Duration: 50 minutes

Starter Activity (5 minutes)

Quick Recall

Recall the key terms: Music Exam Tips. Define each in one sentence.

Main Content (35 minutes)

Parent/Teacher Guide: Let your student attempt each question alone first, then compare with the model answer. Award method marks for correct working even if the final answer is wrong.

Q1: Describe how chords and accompaniment writing are used in a piece of music you have studied. Use musical vocabulary.

Answer: A detailed description using precise musical vocabulary (e.g. specific terms from the AQA elements list), referencing a named piece with accurate observations about how the elements are used and their effect.

Q2: Compare how two different pieces use chords and accompaniment writing. Explain the effect in each case.

Answer: A comparison of two pieces identifying similarities and differences in how chords and accompaniment writing are used, explaining the different effects created in each musical context, using comparative language.

Q3: How could you use chords and accompaniment writing in your own composition or performance? Explain your choices.

Answer: A practical application showing understanding of how chords and accompaniment writing can be manipulated in composition or performance, with specific examples of choices made and their intended effect.

Plenary (5 minutes)

Error Review

Review any questions answered incorrectly. Identify whether the error was knowledge, method, or reading the question.

Lesson 4: Exam Practice: chords and accompaniment writing

Duration: 50 minutes

Starter Activity (5 minutes)

Command Words

Review what these command words require: state (one point), describe (say what happens), explain (say why), compare (both sides), evaluate (judgement).

Main Content (35 minutes)

Extended Answer

Extended question: Full-Mark Response Compose a chord progression and accompaniment pattern for a melody you have written. Annotate explaining your harmonic choices and how the accompaniment style serves the genre. <div class="

A grade 9 response will: use genre-appropriate chord progressions; choose accompaniment patterns that match the style; show understanding of cadences; use chord symbols correctly; annotate with precise harmonic vocabulary; demonstrate coherent harmonic direction. Mark scheme: AO3 (analyse and evaluate) + AO4 (knowledge and understanding) = total marks for listening; AO1 (perform) + AO2 (compose) for coursework components

Exam Tips: Always use PRECISE musical vocabulary — not vague descriptions like it sounds nice | Reference SPECIFIC musical elements when analysing any piece | For listening questions: identify elements FIRST, then explain their effect | For study pieces: know the context, structure and key features in detail | For performing: focus on accuracy, expression and interpretation | For composing: show development of ideas, not just repetition
Common Errors: Watch Out! Students often make mistakes here. Wrong: You just put chords over the melody and it sounds fine. Correct: Chord choices and accompaniment patterns must be INTENTIONAL and GENRE-APPROPRIATE. Classical styles use functional harmony with cadences; popular styles use stock progressions and riffs; folk styles use drones and modal harmony. The examiner assesses whether your harmonic choices serve your compositional intention.
Stretch & Challenge (Grade 8-9):
  • Synoptic links: explain how chords and accompaniment writing connects to another Music topic you have studied
  • Real-world: research one real-world use or example of chords and accompaniment writing
  • Critical: "What are the limitations of the models used in chords and accompaniment writing?"

Plenary (5 minutes)

Assessment Criteria
  • Got it: Confident explanation + correct worked examples
  • Getting there: Main points OK, needs support with detail
  • Not yet: Confused on key concepts - re-run Lesson 2

Homework & Consolidation

Recommended Resources

🎓 Smart Lesson (Guided)