Intro to the Elements of Music

Goal
Students will be given a song in the context of Twinkle Little Star to learn some of the basic elements of music: Pitch, Rhythm, Tempo, Dynamics, Ostinato, Duration, and Pulse/Beat.

General Music/Vocal Grade 2 September 1st, 2012

Materials
Violin (teacher) Copies of the lyrics White board/chalk board

Objectives
1. 2. 3. SWBAT to demonstrate what each of the concepts/elements of music are given Q and A. SWBAT memorize what each of the elements mean given the definitions in the form of the Twinkle Theme song. Students will be able to identify these main elements given a recording/model by the instructor.

Core Curriculum Standards:

1.1.2.B.1 1.1.2.B.2

Procedure:
1. Hook: When you are listening to music/songs on the radio, what sorts of things do most of them have in common with another? What do you hear/notice? Can you describe it to me? (Instructor writes their ideas on the board) Introduction: Some of the things you just described to me are the main elements of music which we are going to learn a few today. Begin the song: Instructions are given that the teacher first sings and then signals for the class to imitate one line at a time. After two lines are finished, repeat the two lines together and have the class imitate. Sing together the entire first verse. Stop after the first verse and give an example of pitch identification using an instrument/violin. Ask students: which note was higher and which was lower? After an answer, give them 3 pitches to choose high and low from, 4 pitches etc. Example #2: What am I demonstrating now? Perform a loud note and a soft note. Dynamics. Example #3: Perform slow and fast. Ask them what Im demonstrating. Repeat step 3 with the second verse. Stop after the third verse to give examples/demonstrations of each concept. Repeat these steps with the third and fourth verses.

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Intro to the Elements of Music

10. Direct students to sing the entire song as a class while pointing to each concept written on the board in order of the lyrics. 11. When class is finished, hand out lyrics to take home and suggest students to practice the song over the week and learn it for a sing through next week.

Adaptations
The visuals on the white board and listening exercises/demonstrations will help aid the class in the understanding of the concepts so that it isnt just memorizing lyrics.

The next lesson of this unit will consist of a more in depth explanation of one or two of these concepts that we learned today.

Intro to the Elements of Music

Elements of Twinkle Theme

Pitch means sound are high or low. Tempo means go fast or slow. Dynamics can go with a BANG! Or make a sound as quietly as you can. Pitch means sounds are high or low. Tempo means go fast or slow.

Over and over and over again Ostinato is the name. Duration can be short or long The length of sounds in a tune or a song. Over and over and over again Ostinato is the name.

Rhythm makes a pattern of sounds. (Clap clap-clap clap clap/clap-clap clap claap) Pulse will keep a steady beat Sounds like slowly marching feet. Rhythm makes a pattern of sounds. (Clap clap-clap clap clap/clap-clap clap claap)

(Words by Christine Brown)

Intro to the Elements of Music