4.4 Arts and culture: music - to read simple melodies

Arts and culture

Grade 6

Creating, interpreting and performing

Module 17

Music: to read simple melodies

Activity 1:

To read simple melodies

[lo 1.6.4]

Step 1

Listen to sections of "I just can't wait to be king " and " Can you feel the love tonight " from The Lion King.

Step 2

Can you sing the following two phrases?

“ I’m gonna be a mighty king, so enemies beware!” and

“ Can you feel the love tonight, the peace the evening brings?”

Step 3

Draw a graph of the two melodies to show how the melody lines ascend and descend (pitch).

I’m gonna be a mighty king, so enemies beware!

Can you feel the love tonight, the peace the evening brings?

Step 4

Give the letter names of the notes on lines: ______________________________

Give the letter names of the notes in the spaces: __________________________

Step 5

Draw graphs of the given notation examples.

(i) Draw graphs of the given notation examples.

Are there any similarities to the graphs in STEP 4?

Step 6

(ii) Choose the correct title for each notation example.

Step 7

(iii) Add the letter names of the notes.

TITEL: ______________________________________________

TITLE: _________________________________________________

Activity 2:

To research hand techniques for the drum

[lo 1.6.3]

Play the Jembe! If there is none available ........

How is sound obtained on string instruments?

• The string vibrates as soon as the bow is drawn across the string. This causes sound! The longer the string, the lower the sound; the shorter the string, the higher the sound.
• To shorten or lengthen the strings, move your hand or fingers up and down the string.

How is sound obtained on a brass instrument?

• As soon as air is blown into the pipe, the air inside vibrates . This causes sound!
• By opening or covering the holes or valves, the pitch changes.
• The longer the column of air, the lower the sound; the shorter the column of air, the higher the sound.

How is sound obtained on a drum?

• The air inside the drum vibrates when the skin of the drum is hit.
• The pitch is determined by where the skin is hit:

- In the middle - lower sound (base)

- On the side - higher sound (tone)

• There are various techniques for playing hand drums. It differs from area to area. We shall take a look at the following two possibilities:
• The following two possibilities will be sufficient:

- With the whole hand , open and flat, (hitting action) in the middle of the skin of the drum; low sound (base).

- With the fingers on the side of the skin of the drum; high sound (tone).

Hand technique Finger technique

Practise the following possibilities:

Activity 3:

To improvise musical phrases

[lo 1.6.1]

Step 1 (introductory)

PATTERNS

Can you decipher AND play the following?

Try to combine the following two patterns

D ice S ong:

Requirements:

Preparation:

• The six groups are numbered 1 to 6 (numbers of the dice).
• Each groups creates a rhythmic pattern (two bars) in quadruple time (a total of eight counts).
• Decide on the hand techniques you will be using.
• Decide on the dynamics: loud or soft, crescendo (gradually louder) or diminuendo (gradually softer).
• PRACTISE the pattern until you know it! Count out aloud.

The composition:

• The educator throws the dice a few times and then writes the order of the numbers on the board.
• The groups now play in the order determined by the dice.

e.g. 1 6 4 1 2 5 1

• This type of music is known as Chance Music , one of the genres of the classical music of the 20 ^th Century. It has been said that even Mozart sometimes used this method!
• Do not stop in between! Keep on counting 1 – 2 – 3 – 4 – 1 – 2 – 3 – 4 - etc.
• To end: All the groups can play their patterns together twice. Follow the educator – (s)he will show you how to play faster and louder graduall y in order to end on a final climax. Everyone can end with their hands in the air!

Assessment