This topic explores music of the Far East including the following countries: China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Japan, Thailand, Vietnam, Polynesia, Bali and Java. Year 5 will also learn about the importance of the pentatonic scale in Chinese music. They will be given the opportunity to learn to play a traditional piece of Chinese music (Jasmine Flower) on tuned percussion and keyboards and will also be set the task of composing their own piece of music using the pentatonic scale. The class will also be given the opportunity to learn to sing a Filipino & Polynesian song as well as taking part in a classroom Gamelan activity for the last two weeks (they will use classroom tuned percussion to create Gamelan style music). As well as broadening their musical listening and experiences this topic is also great for linking with geography and history too.

An Orff style arrangement of the West African song and dance, Funga Alafia. Resource includes sheet music (with and without note names) and a play along track.

This is a simple Orff style arrangement of the Chinese folk song Ai Hai Yo. It includes: Melody Harmony Bass Triangle Hand drum / Wood block Piano Lyrics Ideal for use when exploring the pentatonic scale and/or Asian/Chinese music.

This is an Orff style arrangement of Bala Pata Zoom, a song from Ghana. It comes with parts for tuned percussion, including coloured notes for use with BoomWhackers and Chimes and Djembe. The song is great fun to sing and perform and comes with actions as well, to turn it into a game. Perfect if you are looking at African countries, but also works well independently.