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Lesson 8 Handout

Lesson 8 Handout - Sibelius

TARGETED STANDARDS

Lesson 8 Standards

 

 

 

 

 

MATH

 

Lesson 8

Lesson Title:  Symmetry in Music

Synopsis: In this lesson the concept of symmetry will be explored in terms of musical compositions, specifically the music of J.S. Bach and his Crab Canon from his Musical Offering. Lesson 9 has students compose using the symmetrical patterns inherent in Serialism - a style of music in the early 20th Century that relied heavily on symmetry and mathematics.

Authors:  J. Frankel & K. O’Malley

Interdisciplinary Pairing:  Mathematics & Music

 

Objectives: 

  • Students will complete an existing WebQuest online that deals with symmetry and its application to the world around us - including music
  • Students will understand the concept of symmetry by analyzing the Crab Canon by J. S. Bach.
  • Students will understand the various forms of symmetry utilized in composition, including:
    • Retrograde - mirroring/palindrome
    • Inversion
    • Transposition
    • Inverse Retrograde
    • Musical Forms: A-B-A, A-B-C-B-A

    •  

Prior Knowledge & Skills: 

  • Students should have a basic understanding of symmetry

Equipment: 

  • Computers with Internet Access

 

Duration: 

This lesson takes place over two 45-minute class periods.

Materials

Procedure:

Day 1:

  • Students will complete the Symmetry WebQuest created by Adrain Bruce, and will discuss symmetry as it applies to mathematics and the world around us

Day 2:

  • Teacher will distribute the CRAB CANON HANDOUT and discuss how the composer J.S. Bach utilized symmetry in his work
  • Teacher may show students the materials located on the Math and the Musical Offering website
  • The students will be able to identify the type of symmetry that Bach used in the work by highlighting the symmetry on the CRAB CANON HANDOUT
  • Students will discuss how other elements of symmetry (reflection, inversion) could be applied to music

 

 Evaluation:

  • Successful completion of the Symmetry WebQuest
  • Successful completion of the CRAB CANON HANDOUT

Lesson Extension:
          

 

 

 

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