KS2: Macbeth: 7. Killing ground

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Lady Macbeth's servants have summoned a doctor and they watch as she sleepwalks through the castle. Macbeth's remaining supporters desert to Malcolm and when his army approaches Dunsinane Macbeth prepares for battle.

Tutorial: 'Killing ground' - Part 1

Key timings in the tutorial are:

00' 00":
Listening to the opening rap (Verse 1) before learning the chorus, beginning: 'Hear them trumpets? Feel their breath?' Tapping out the beat of the chorus.

02' 51":
Learning Verse 1, beginning: 'We're coming Macbeth, we're coming for you…' which is sung by Malcolm's army as they march on Macbeth. The words are learnt line by line before putting the whole verse together and repeating with the chorus.

Tutorial: 'Killing ground' - Part 2

Key timings in the tutorial are:

00' 00":
Learning Verse 2, beginning: 'You messed with us and we'll mess with you…' The verse is a rap (the same as Verse 1) and is learnt line by line before putting the whole verse together.

02' 20":
Learning Verse 3, beginning: 'Live by the sword by the sword you'll die…' which is learnt in the same way as Verses 1 and 2.

04' 28":
Singing 'Killing ground' all the way through. Options are offered for singing in groups, for example to rap alternate lines or alternate verses, or singing with the backing track only.

The story

Synopsis:

Lady Macbeth’s servants have summoned a doctor and they watch as she sleepwalks through her rooms in the castle. She is obsessed with washing away the blood she sees on her hands…the blood of Banquo. The doctor watches but observes 'She needs a priest not a doctor'.

Then Angus and Lennox meet on the heath outside Dunsinane: they have raised an army and their force unites with that of Malcolm and Macduff. Inside the castle Macbeth prepares for battle, saying he won't be scared until 'Birnam Wood comes to Dunsinane'.

Outside Malcolm asks Siward the name of the nearby forest. 'Birnam Wood' is the reply. Malcolm orders the troops to cut down branches to hold in front of them to disguise their number.

See Resources below for a quiz about the story episode.

Song: 'Killing ground'

Learn the song ‘Killing ground’ - about the battle at Dunsinane between Macbeth and his enemies.

Once you have learnt the song singing with vocal version you can polish your performance singing with just the backing track.

Click here for the lyric sheet.

Click here for the music sheet.

Resources

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