GENERAL MUSIC PERIODS 2, 3, 6:
COMPOSER: Chopin Military Polonaise for Orchestra
1. Discussed meaning of words "Polonaise" and "nationalism" in relation to Chopin's music.
OBJECTIVE: Intro to Recorder: Labeling and Care
1. Quote by Frederick Delius a famous composer
.....a. "SONG OF SUMMER" STORY OF DELIUS' LIFE PRODUCED AND DIRECTED BY KEN RUSSELL:
2. Solfege Roll: Review solfege hand signals adding "Sol." Teacher asks with hand signals: Sol-Mi-La-Sol-Mi ("Mar-y did you finish your quote?")/Student answers with hand signals: Sol-Mi-La-Sol-Mi ("Yes I did") and show the quote to me.
3. Pass out percussion name review worksheet: Pictures of instruments need to be labelled with their correct names. Classwork is to be done while recorders are going to be passed out. To be finished and passed in tomorrow: worth 2 points.
4. Teacher to pass out woodwind instruments called the recorders. Directions given on how to clean and store them in a sanitary way; where to label them and student responsibilities (like text books) as they are being loaned out for the semester. (Instruction will start tomorrow; students to take them home and experiment with them tonight.)
5. Do not forget to turn in signed rule sheets: worth 1 point
BEGINNING VIOLIN PERIOD 5:
OBJECTIVE: Set-Up: Violin Left Hold and Angle
1. TUNE (Show students a "tuning fork" and explain how and why it is used, how the tuning pitch of "A" has 440 vibrations per second, and then pass some around for students to try for themselves.
DETERMINING THE PROPER VIOLIN PLACEMENT ANGLE AND EXERCISES TO REINFORCE IT:
2. The violin angle as it is held at the neck is determined for each student based on the comfort of the left arm muscle as it is placed under the violin. (Everyone will play their violin at a slightly different angle.)
.....a. Pain and stiffness in the left arm muscle means that the angle the violin is being played at is incorrect for that person; a little aching of the arm muscle means the violin placement is okay as the arm muscle is being built up and getting stronger. Each student must learn to distinguish the difference between pain and aching. Pain always means that the student is using a muscle incorrectly.
3. Left hand: finger springs; how fingers push down strings to start sounds.
.....a. Starting with left hand thumb placed under the curve of the neck (called 5th position) in a backwards "C" position, students depress the pad of the index finger (called 1st finger) down onto the "G" string in a "spring-like" motion four times (4x) silently then repeat the same on the"D" string 4x, "A" then "E" strings.
.....b. Repeat the same exercise again using the pad of the middle finger (called the 2nd finger), 3rd finger or "ring finger" and then finally using the 4th finger or "pinky" finger (the hardest finger to use or as I call it, "the dreaded 4th finger").
ADVANCED VIOLIN PERIOD 4:
OBJECTIVE: Preparation for Harvest Day performance on October 28th/Hoedown music
1. TUNE
2. Cello: Looking at "Hoedown" cello part, start to read notes in bass clef. (Review bass clef line/space rules and compare to treble clef note naming line/space rules. Also review note reading by musical alphabet steps/skips.
a. Cello fingering (and string names) are reviewed then section "B" of "Hoedown" is practiced with help of the piano.
3. Violin part "B" of Hoedown is reviewed from yesterday and then cello and violin parts are combined at section "B."5.
4. Last section (coda) of "Hoedown" reviewed by violins.
5. Violins start section "A" of "Hoedown" (rhythm pattern: 8th note followed by 2 16th notes "Straw-ber-ry" or bow patterns of slow-fast-fast again using small amounts of the bow in the middle part).
6. Violins to start putting all 4 sections of "Hoe Down" together (to continue tomorrow).
REMINDER,
TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY):
PLAYING QUIZ ON THE "HOEDOWN" CODA SECTION.