April 21, 2014

April 21, 2014

Grade 7 Goals: Our goals for this week are to continue to demonstrate our understanding of the elements of music and the elements of the blues through discussion, writing and performance.

During our first class of the week, students will complete their quiz on the elements of music. They will review the blues "ingredients" learned so far (melody/improvisation - using the blues scale, lyrics - chanting verses of words in time with the 12 bars of music, harmony - playing chord notes from the 12 bar blues chord progression) and put them together in a blues performance - first as a whole class and then in small groups. Students will explore performing the harmony part using word rhythms such as "baby:", "don't you go", etc.

During the second class of the week, students will be introduced to the last component of the blues which is the walking bass line. This steady "walking" of notes provides the forward movement or the "drive" for the blues. Students will be given a worksheet which outlines what they will play for each bar.

Homework: Review the elements of music for the final journal next week. Practise all of the blues performance elements: improvising a solo from the blues scale, playing harmony using word rhythms, playing the walking bass, chanting lyrics.

Grade 8 Goals: Our goals for this week are to complete the composing of our incidental music, which should add intensity and communicate a message/mood to the film selected. Students should practise their compositions and prepare to perform it for a mark next week.

During our first class of the week, students will review and revise music created with their group members, evaluating the following:

     1. Does the music works well with the timing of events in the film?

     2. Does the music communicate the message/mood intended?.

     3. Does the music last for 60-90 seconds or more?

     4. Do you use elements such as tempo, dynamics, articulation, to create meaning?

     5. Does it sound well learned/performed? 

During the second class of the week, students will review "Voyage of Queen Anne's Revenge" and complete their composing and rehearse their music with their groups in preparation for performances next week.

Homework: practise "Voyage of Queen Anne's Revenge" and your incidental music - focusing on expression such as dynamics, tempo, articulation, etc.