Scrambled Melodies

B.M.G
brianandcinzia@aol.com
Kennedy Middle School

TI:ME Technology Areas Addressed:

Electronic Musical Instruments
Notation

Level:

Middle School

Class:

General Music

Equipment:

One Computer Station with notation software and a MIDI sequencer

Duration:

40 Minutes

Prior Knowledge and Skills:

Students need to be able to play basic melodies on a keyboard

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: Reading and notating music.

NAfME 2014: Creating 

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

NAfME 2014: Responding 

Materials:

Materials
Scramble Worksheets 1, 2 and 3. Keyboards (preferably one for every two students) and a computer station with a keyboard that has notation software and a MIDI sequencer.

Objectives:

The purpose of this lesson plan is to reinforce a student’s ability to play basic melodies on a keyboard and to use their listening skills to solve a musical puzzle. Students will also practice recording basic melodies in real time using a music software program.

Procedures:

Each pair of students is given either Scramble Worksheet 1, 2 or 3 and are told that it is a song which they are familiar with, although the measures are scrambled. They should play the scrambled melody on a keyboard and figure out which song it is and unscramble it by writing it in the empty measures provided. After they have done this, they should each write the melody using notation software and record it in real time using a MIDI sequencer.

Evaluation:

Look at handwritten unscrambled melody and real time recording of unscrambled melody.

Follow Up:

Follow up lesson plans could include students writing their own basic melodies using real time recording.