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

NAfME Standards of 1994 Addressed:

NAfME Standards of 1994: Performing on instruments, alone and with others, a varied repertoire of music.

NAfME 2014: Performing 

NAfME Standards of 1994: Improvising melodies, harmonies, and accompaniments.
NAfME Standards of 1994: Composing and Arranging Music within specified guidelines.
NAfME Standards of 1994: Reading and notating music.

NAfME 2014: Creating

NAfME Standards of 1994: Listening to, analyzing and describing music.
NAfME Standards of 1994: Evaluating music and music performances.

NAfME 2014: Responding 

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.