Build-A-Scale
A lesson plan by Gary Penkala, Saint Ireneus, Oakmont, PA
TI:ME Technology Areas Addressed:
Notation
Level:
Elementary
Equipment:
Sibelius 2
Duration:
30 Minutes
Prior Knowledge and Skills:
letter names of treble staff;
concept of whole/half step
NAfME Standards of 1994 Addressed:
NAfME Standards of 1994: Reading and notating music.
NAfME 2014: Creating
Materials:
Worksheet, including chart of piano keyboard;
Tone blocks and step platform;
Chalkboard with staff lines
Tone blocks and step platform;
Chalkboard with staff lines
Objectives:
Develop concept of Major Scale as a series of seven steps by having students gradually build step-by-step
Procedures:
-
Reinforce whole & half steps.
-
From a starting point (root, tonic, home) on keyboard chart, move stepwise, following the Major Scale Pattern (W W H W W W H).
-
Notate simultaneously on board or in Sibelius (projeted).
-
Match generated pitches with tone bells on step platform.
-
Have student play major scale.
-
Repeat at other starting pitches.
Evaluation:
Have students build scales, staring with individual(s) at board, possibly continuing with individuals on their own music paper.
Follow Up:
Once “building” concept is firm, introduce other patterns (natural minor, harmonic minor, melodic minor, whole-tone, etc.)
