Work out by ear how to play short, easy phrases or patterns from well-known tunes

Using a melodic virtual instrument (for example the keyboard in GarageBand), choose appropriate starting notes and play short, simple tunes with a limited range of notes, e.g. television jingles, folk-tunes, nursery rhymes. Ask learners to select one and explore it away from their virtual instrument by:

• singing the melody
• drawing the melodic contour in the air
• clapping the rhythm

Next, ask learners to work out separate phrases by ear on their virtual instrument, gradually building up the complete tune.

Ask learners to play the complete tune expressively to others.

As an extension activity, ask learners to teach the tune to other learners.