Creating harmony

Ted Smoker
tedsmoker@yahoo.com

TI:ME Technology Areas Addressed:

Sequencing

Level:

Grade 6-8 Band individual lesson

Equipment:

PC with Acid Pro Audio
Microphone
Headphones

Duration:

40 Minutes

Prior Knowledge and Skills:

Reading music, intonation, tone-quality

MENC Standards Addressed:

MENC 2: Performing on instruments, alone and with others, a varied repertoire of music.
MENC 3: Improvising melodies, harmonies, and accompaniments.
MENC 4: Composing and Arranging Music within specified guidelines.
MENC 5: Reading and notating music.
MENC 6: Listening to, analyzing and describing music.
MENC 7: Evaluating music and music performances.

Materials:

PC compatible computer with Acid Pro Audio
Microphone
Headphones

Objectives:

Students will create a harmony for Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.
Students will listen to and evaluate consonance of their harmony.
Students will play their instruments with good intonation and tone quality.

Procedures:

Boot up computer and open Acid Pro Audio.
Student warms up and reviews “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star” on their instrument.
Press record button and test volume.
Student plays the piece with Band in a Box.
Allow students to play along with their recording, experimenting with different notes.
Record them playing their harmony as they wear headphones.
Save recording.
Student listens to the music and describe the harmony as consonant or dissonant.

Evaluation:

Was the recording somewhat consonant or dissonant?
Did the student play in tune and with good balance?

Follow Up:

Create a percussion accompaniment with the keyboard to go with the arrangement.