Russell Wagoner
[email protected]
Tappan Zee High School
TI:ME Technology Areas Addressed:
Electronic Musical Instruments
Notation Software
Instructional Software
Level:
High School
Class:
Music Theory
Equipment:
Auralia, Finale, Digital Performer (Band-in-a-Box – optional)
Duration:
45 Minutes
Prior Knowledge and Skills:
Students will have a basic understanding of primary chords and their inversions and will be able to recognize a basic I, IV, V, I progression.
MENC Standards Addressed:
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.
Materials:
Computer projection screen, audio or Band-in-a-Box files that use any combination of I, IV, V, I chord progressions.
Objectives:
- Students will be able to identify a chord progression that uses primary chords and their inversions.
- Students will be able to write a 2-bar progression that uses only I, IV, V, V7 chords and their inversions using Finale.
- Students will be able to improvise a melody above their written progressions using a sequencing program.
Procedures:
Students will enter the room hearing examples of various songs that use a I, IV, V, V7 chord progression.
Students will use the level 5 chord progression exercises provided in Auralia and identify the 1 measure chord progressions focusing on I, IV, V, V7 chords. (Advanced students may use a higher level that uses inversions or more chords.) (10 minutes)
Students will then compose a 2-bar (in a 4-part SATB Choral format) chord progression in the key of F Major using Finale. (Advanced students may include inversions) (10 minutes)
Students will import their compositions into the sequencing program (Digital Performer) and will improvise a melody above it. (Students may record the melody by selecting an instrument or may sing the improvised line.) (10 minutes)
Each student will play his/her composition for the class. The remaining students in the class will, each time a piece is played, dictate the chord progression including any/all inversions. Students will then turn in electronically a copy of their saved sequence to the instructor. A copy of the progressions dictated by the students will also be collected for the instructor to grade. (15 minutes)
Evaluation:
Students will be able to aurally identify a I, IV, V, V7, progression with 95% accuracy.
Students will be able to notate a 2 measure (4-part SATB) I, IV, V, V7 progression using Finale.
Students will be able to import their progressions into a sequencing program and will be able to play and record an improvised melody above it.
Follow Up:
Students will be able to transpose their progressions into other major or minor keys.
Students will be able to determine the types of cadences created at the end of each progression.
Students will be able to discuss antecedent/consequent phrases and how periods are created.
Items to Purchase:
Auralia, Finale, Digital Performer, (Band-in-a-Box-optional)
When budget should be submitted:
Budget in the spring preceding the school year in which purchase will be made.
