Composing with notes Middle C, D, E, F and G

Spolum
aspolum@lancaster.k12.pa.us
George Ross Elementary

TI:ME Technology Areas Addressed:

Electronic Musical Instruments

Level:

Elementary

Class:

General Music

Equipment:

Keyboard Lab

Duration:

30 Minutes

Prior Knowledge and Skills:

Ability to read and perform basic rhythm patterns. Ability to read and play notes Middle C, D, E F and G on a keyboard.

MENC Standards Addressed:

MENC 2: Performing on instruments, alone and with others, a varied repertoire of music.
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:

Teacher generated worksheet with basic rhythm patterns that the students can pick from, 8 empty measures (no staff) and 8 empty measures with a staff.

Objectives:

Students will read and play a familiar song on the keyboard.
Students will read and chant familiar rhythm patterns in duple meter.
Students will compose a 8 bar melody using notes Middle C, D, E, F and G and familiar rhythm patterns.
Students will notate their compositions.
Students will perform their compositions on a keyboard instrument.
Students will evaluate other students’ compositions.

Procedures:

1. Warm up (5 min) Play a familiar song on the keyboard, reading notes Middle C, D, E, F and G.
2. Review (5 min) Reading and performing basic rhythm patterns on the worksheet.
3. Composing (5 min)
   1. Have students choose rhythms for each measure and write them in the blank measures on the worksheet.
   2. Have students play their rhythms on their keyboards using Middle C, D and E.
   3. Have the students write the letter names that they choose under the rhythm line that they wrote earlier.
4. Notation (10 min)
   1. Write the note heads to the staff on the correct lines and spaces in each measure on the worksheet.
   2. Add the stems to indicate the rhythm patterns that you choose.
   3. Add time signature, finger numbers and a title.
5. Performing (5 min)
   1. Practice playing your song.
   2. Play your song for your neighbor.
   3. Listen to your neighbors composition
   4. Give your neighbor a compliment and comment on where they could improve.

Evaluation:

Students will play their compositions for classmates.

Follow Up:

Use notation software to publish compositions. Add articulations and expressions.