Learning The Line Notes

Steven C. Marsh
scmjazz@yahoo.com

TI:ME Technology Areas Addressed:

Notation Software

Level:

Middle School

Class:

General Music

Equipment:

Computers, notation software

Duration:

40 Minutes

Prior Knowledge and Skills:

Students have a previous knowledge of writing rhythms and basic elements of the treble staff.

MENC Standards Addressed:

MENC 4: Composing and Arranging Music within specified guidelines.
MENC 5: Reading and notating music.

Materials:

Whiteboard, smartboard, or some other form of presenting the notes of the treble staff.

Objectives:

Students will be able to identify the line notes of the treble staff.

Procedures:

1. Draw a 5 line treble staff on the board and have students identify it and name what’s on the board (treble staff, 5 lines, 4 spaces).
2. Introduce the line notes from bottom to top. You may use your favorite saying to help students remember the note names.?
3. Using the computers and software, ask each student to compose a melody using the following specific guidelines:
?a. May only use the 5 line notes
?b. Must use only quarter notes?
c. The piece must be exactly 16 notes long?.
4. Next, have students print out their music and label each note with it’s correct name.

Evaluation:

Students could either hand in their work or have them trade it with another classmate and check for errors.

Follow Up:

The same type of lesson could be used for the space notes.

Items to Purchase:

When budget should be submitted: