Everything music from a perspective of a public
school music teacher with subject integration
(especially art, history, and literature) as a focus
to help teach the Common Core Curriculum.
QUOTE FROM THE BOARD: “Loving a child doesn't mean giving in to all his whims; to love him is to bring out the best in him, to teach him to love what is difficult.” MEANING OF THE QUOTE: “The greatest gift of love you can give a child is to teach him/her how to love the challenge of achieving personal goals.” ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- DATE:TUESDAY WEEK 09 SEMESTER #2 AUTHOR:Ludwig van Beethoven QUOTE FROM THE BOARD: "Art! Who comprehends her? With whom can one consult concerning this great goddess?” MEANING OF THE QUOTE: “Great art can only be determined by each individual’s personal opinion.” ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DATE: WEDNESDAY WEEK 09 SEMESTER #2
AUTHOR: Robert Schumann QUOTE FROM THE BOARD: “To send light into the darkness of men's hearts - such is the duty of the artist.” MEANING OF THE QUOTE: “Art is created to make a better world.” ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ DATE: THURSDAY WEEK 09 SEMESTER #2 AUTHOR: Frank Zappa QUOTE FROM THE BOARD: “The manner in which Americans consume music has a lot to do with leaving it on their coffee tables, or using it as wallpaper for their lifestyles, like the score of a movie --it's consumed that way without any regard for how and why it's made.” MEANING OF THE QUOTE: “Many people don’t listen to music; they just hear it.” ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ DATE: FRIDAY WEEK 09 SEMESTER #2 AUTHOR: Ludwig van Beethoven QUOTE FROM THE BOARD: “What you are, you are by accident of birth; what I am, I am by myself. There are and will be a thousand princes; there is only one Beethoven.” MEANING OF THE QUOTE: “Beethoven thinks he is unique, better than others. Through arrogant, his ego helped him produce beautiful music." ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DATE:MONDAY WEEK #08 SEMESTER #2 AUTHOR:Igor Stravinsky QUOTE FROM THE BOARD: “Too many pieces of music finish too long after the end.” MEANING OF THE QUOTE: “The secret to writing a good piece of music is not to make it too short or too long. Timing is everything.” ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ DATE:TUESDAY WEEK #08 SEMESTER #2 AUTHOR:Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach QUOTE FROM THE BOARD: “What comprises good performance? It is the ability through singing or playing to make the ear conscious of the true content and affect of a composition.” MEANING OF THE QUOTE: “A good performance gets the audience to feel something deep inside.” ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ DATE:WEDNESDAY WEEK #08 SEMESTER #2 AUTHOR:Ludwig van Beethoven QUOTE FROM THE BOARD: “Nothing is more intolerable than to have to admit to yourself your own errors.” MEANING OF THE QUOTE: “A person will judge him/her self more critically than anyone else.” ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ DATE:THURSDAY WEEK #08 SEMESTER #2 AUTHOR:Irving Berlin QUOTE FROM THE BOARD: “Our attitudes control our lives. Attitudes are a secret power working twenty-four hours a day, for good or bad. It is of paramount importance that we know how to harness and control this great force.” MEANING OF THE QUOTE: “What you feel inside will control your entire life on the outside.” ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ DATE:FRIDAY WEEK #08 SEMESTER #2 AUTHOR:Leonard Bernstein QUOTE FROM THE BOARD: “The key to the mystery of a great artist is that for reasons unknown, he will give away his energies and his life just to make sure that one note follows another... and leaves us with the feeling that something is right in the world.” MEANING OF THE QUOTE: “Artists devote their lives to the creation of beauty for the rest of us to enjoy.” -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
DATE: MONDAY WEEK 07 SEMESTER #2 AUTHOR: Irving Berlin QUOTE FROM THE BOARD: “The toughest thing about success is that you've got to keep on being a success.” MEANING OF THE QUOTE: “It is easier to attain success than to keep it because no one wants to go backwards once they have been on top.” ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DATE: TUESDAY WEEK 07 SEMESTER #2 AUTHOR: Leonard Bernstein QUOTE FROM THE BOARD: “I’m not interested in having an orchestra sound like itself. I want it to sound like the composer.” MEANING OF THE QUOTE: “Music should sound as each individual composer meant it to be played. The same orchestra can play music by different composers and the music will sound different each time.” ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DATE: WEDNESDAY WEEK 07 SEMESTER #2 AUTHOR: Robert Schumann QUOTE FROM THE BOARD: “People compose for many reasons: to become immortal; because the pianoforte happens to be open; because they want to become a millionaire; because of the praise of friends; because they have looked into a pair of beautiful eyes; for no reason whatsoever.” MEANING OF THE QUOTE: “People create art for varied reasons. For everyone the reason is different.” ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DATE:THURSDAY WEEK 07 SEMESTER #2 AUTHOR:Frederick Chopin QUOTE FROM THE BOARD: “Nothing is more odious than music without hidden meaning.” MEANING OF THE QUOTE: “Chopin believes that music is not just entertainment, it must have some inner message to convey.” ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DATE:FRIDAY WEEK 07 SEMESTER #2 AUTHOR:Max Lerner QUOTE FROM THE BOARD: “The problem of freedom in America is that of maintaining a competition of ideas, and you do not achieve that by silencing one brand of idea.” MEANING OF THE QUOTE: “An artist must be open to all ideas and styles of music to achieve career success in a country where people have thefreedom to choose any music they like.” ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2. Checked quotes for the week. .....a. Students will be responsible for 4 this week; anyone who did 5 will be given extra credit for the extra quote. 3. MUSICAL: OLIVER .....a. Passed out musical report forms ..........1)Reviewed the first part of the musical "Oliver" by filling in some some of the information asked for on the form ..........2)Main characters we met so far: Oliver and Mr. Bumble ..........3)Names of songs listened to: "Food Glorious Food" / "Oliver" / "Boy for Sale" ..........4)Wrote down... musical's title: "Oliver" / novel the musical was based on: "Oliver Twist / novel's author: Charles Dickens / musical's composer/lyricist: Lionel Bart / date of musical composition: 1960 / country that the story of the musical takes place in: London, England .....b. Today we heard the song "Consider Yourself" and met another main character called the Artful Dodger (PLEASE SEE THE "OLIVER MUSICAL REPORT" ON THIS BLOG FOR DETAILS) (Next week we will continue to fill-in the report as a class.) (Period 2 and 6 still need to finish the end of song "Consider Yourself")
BEGINNING VIOLIN PERIOD 5: OBJECTIVE: FINGERING DO-RE-MI/DO-RE-MAY (MAJOR and MINOR) 1. TUNE2. HOLIDAY PROGRAM SONG: COVENTRY CAROL .....a. This is an open string, right hand pizzicato, harmony part and will be played with the advanced violins (from the period 4 class) playing the melody at the concert. .....b. Listened to the recorded accompaniment and teacher demonstration. .....c. Reviewed terms and symbols in music ..........1)uarter notes and rests ..........2)Double bar and two dots (repeat signs) ..........3)meter/time signature ..........4)Importance of the silence in each rest .....d. The class read/sang the open string notes as teacher pointed. .....e. In regular pizzicato position we plucked the notes as we sang out loud with the recorded accompaniment .....f. After the song ended we stopped and because the music was new and played at its performing speed, some students found it helpful to write the letter names under the notes. .....g. We replayed it being careful not to play on the quarter note rests. ..........1)The silences in rests are are difficult to play as a whole group at once because if a single person plays during one the rest is no longer silent. 3. DOUBLE STOPPING .....a. Open string bowings: Using the 7 different arm levels: G, GandD, D, DandA, A, Aand E, and E .....b. There are 4 basic bow levels but also 3 more levels which places the bow on two strings at one time. ..........1)Playing 2 different strings at once called DOUBLE STOPPING ..........2)We started to learn these extra levels first by applying the silent bow-arm rocking tecnique (we rocked the bow at the middle or MB) ..........3)Then we practiced all the 7 levels from lowest G to highest E, 4x each combination using the UH of bow.
Coming Up: we will be replaying DO-RE-MI songs: Mary and Hot Cross Buns on the G, D, and A strings but adding the next higher open string with it [example playing Mary (DO-RE-MI) on the "D" string but bowing open A with the D string at the same time]. By adding the neighboring (next highest) open string while playing the melody on the lower string, harmony is produced. Using this technique on these DO-RE-MI songs helps students to listen for intonation because it is easier to hear a finger going out of tune when there is another note harmonizing with it.
ADVANCED VIOLIN PERIOD 4: OBJECTIVE: Preparation for Harvest Day performance on October 28th 1. TUNE 2. Orange Blossom Special.....a. Again having trouble coordinating harmony and melody parts. ..........1)We rehearsed having the violins play all alone with the accompaniment to see if they were able to keep the beat steady which they were. ..........2)Then the cellos were added and the beat was still steady. ..........3)When the electric guitar was addedit was a little too loud and the beat started to get lost. When the sound was turned down the accompaniment beat was easier to hear. ..........4)We had amped the keyboard because it could not be heard when all the others were playing with the accompaniment but, like the electric guitar, I think the keyboard amp also needed to be adjusted down. I don't think the keyboardist could hear the other parts well enough to keep the beat steady because of that. ...........5)Also, when making mistakes while playing in a group the players need to disregard the errors and keep going. If the player slows down even just a little bit due to the frustration of making the error, the beat will be lost. 3. Hoedown .....a. Reviewed briefly. 4. Be prepared next week we need to get out the music stands in preparation of the Harvest Festival Performance .....a. There are 13 practice sessions (days left) before the concert .....b. We will be performing on the outside stage in the early part of the festival .....c. When we are finished we can put our instruments away in the room and enjoy rest of the festivities .....d. More information to follow when I get it.
.....c. On the picture below, Picasso is 2nd from the left and Stravinsky is standing next to him on the right
.....d. Discussed Stravinsky's quote about how composers often borrow melodic patterns from one another. If too much of a melodic pattern is borrowed, at what point is that considered plagiarism (stealing someone else's idea) 2. SOLFEGE DO RE MI (while checking the quotes) 3. FINISHED NOTE READING BY STEPS worksheets (2 pages worth 1 point each page) .....a.Teacher checked for understanding 4. Students to keyboards: (Procedures given to follow first/students to go through in order and when finished move on to the next one) .....a. Locate "D" key then find B,A,G ..........1)Play songs Mary and Hot Cross Buns from handout given out last week .....b. Pentatonic (black key songs) on reverse side of the same worksheet: ..........1)Try to play some songs by ear from the list of songs given on the sheet (1st notes or starting notes are given) .....c. Pass out new keyboard music: Playing songs by finger numbers .........1)These songs used to establish proper hand placement and blocking techniques before actual note reading begins. .........2)The idea is to be able to place the hand and fingers down on the keys in preparation to the playing of a song so that the eyes don't have to watch the fingers while playing .........3)Also helps to develop muscle coordination and sense of touch BEGINNING VIOLIN PERIOD 5: OBJECTIVE: FINGERING DO-RE-MI/DO-RE-MAY (MAJOR and MINOR) 1. TUNE2. OPEN STRING BOWING .....a. Using a bow leader so everyone's bows stay together (up and down and at the same part of the bow) ..........1)Bow leaders are called in the orchestra either concert master (male) or concert mistress (female) .....b. Separate bows UH 4x each string; .....c. My sis-ter marc-y RHYTHM 2x each string(bow speed) UH bow, .....d. Discussed using the bow at thje LH (Lower Half) or frog to middle (triangle to square) ..........1)Need to lighten up the pressure of the bow on the string when at the heaviest part of the bow sort-of like a marionette puppet (attached by strings) ..........2)Separate bows 4x LH (frog to middle) with proper articulation (click-like) sound 3. MARY HAD A LITTLE LAMB (MAJOR-HAPPY: DO RE MI) .....a. Sang the finger numbers while fingering silently ..........1)Guitar position for those who feel a need to use their eyes while fingering ..........2)Regular position (violin held at the neck) for those who don't need to look at their fingers .....b. Played the song with right pizzicato while singing the finger numbers ..........1)Same procedures as above ..........2)The use of the bow (UH) were for those whose fingers can now move with ease and automatically. .....c. Played Mary on each string in the cycle of strings 4. MARY HAD A SAD LAMB (MINOR-SAD: DO-RE-MAY) ......a. Demonstrated how to make Mary had a little lamb (happy/major) into mary had a sad little lamb (sad/minor) ......b. Asked students to observe me play both example and asked them to explain what I did to make the music go from happy to sad. ...........1)Students noticed that the left 2nd finger (MI) was placed a space above the 1st finger (RE) when the music as happy but w ...........2)When the finger tips (sides of the fingertip pads) of the fingers 1 and 2 were placed together (MAY)instead of apart, ("tip to tip" or as I like to say "feel the skin of each other") the music seemed to be sad which we call in music "minor." .....c. We played Mary had a Sad Lamb on each string using the cycle of strings
ADVANCED VIOLIN PERIOD 4: OBJECTIVE: Preparation for Harvest Day performance on October 28th/Hoedown music 1. TUNE 2. De Colores .....a. Worked to coordinate De Colores and balance the sound between the electric and acoustic instruments. .....b. Violinists were given choices to play either melody or harmony parts .....c. Worked with all the violins who are playing melody parts .....d. Strenghtened the understanding of the violin harmony parts while melody parts were playing .....e. Added all parts together 3. Hoedown .....a. Still having trouble eith the coordination of the 16th note passages (same passages that are in Orange Blossom Special) with piano accompaniment .....b. Piano needs to perform small accents on strong beats so as not to lose the steady pulse. Be prepared next week we need to getout music stands
1. Defined the term SUITE: .....a. An instrumental composition, especially of the 17th or 18th century, consisting of a succession of dances in the same or related keys. .....b. An instrumental composition consisting of a series of varying movements or pieces. 2. Short demonstration on the cello OBJECTIVE: RECORDER NOTE READING BY LETTERS 1. QUOTE AUTHOR: John Phillip Sousa .....a. A famous American band director and band composer opera the late 19th to the early 20th Century. .....b. One of his most famous pieces was called "The Stars and Strips Forever"
.....c. He was known for his patriotic music. (I like to remember that fact about him this way: Sousa.) .....d. He is also known as the inventor of a marching tuba (the instrument goes around the player making it easier to carry and play while marching) and the instrument called the Sousaphone was named after him.
2. Reviewed note reading by step .....a. Explained and showed what line and space notes look like on the musical staff .....b. Explained and showed what notes moving by step (up and down) look like on the musical staff. ...........1)A step is when a note moves from a line to the very next space (or vice versa) either up or down ...........2)These steps can be thought of like stairs you walk up and down on. 3. Notes that move by skip .....a. Counting the lines and spaces in between the notes that move by skip 4. How to determine the name of one note on the staff so you can figure out all the other note names from it by using the musical alphabet concept
BEGINNING VIOLIN PERIOD 5: OBJECTIVE: FINGERING DO-RE-MI 1. TUNE 2. FINGERING DO-RE-MI (Students are to remember to keep the 1st finger down when placing down the 2nd finger) ....a. Using the guitar position (for practice purposes only) students reviewed and practiced plucking the strings using the right thumb over the fingerboard while they fingered the DO, RE, MI notes using the left fingers. .....b. We practiced DO, RE, MI on each string in the CYCLE OF STRINGS and students were instructed to retry again with the objective of being able to place the fingers down without using their eyes; I want them to use their sense of touch and their sense of hearing. .....c. When able to perform this task they are then ready to try placing the violin up in its regular position and pluck the same sounds, again using right pizzicato. .....d. We re-did the exercise again using a DO, RE, MI, MI, RE, DO pattern (placing fingers down and then removing them in order). .....e. We started to use the DO, RE, MI patterns in songs; our first one to start on: "HOT CROSS BUNS" (This is to be played on each string in the CYCLE OF STRINGS) ..........1)First sing the solfege to get the tune in the mind first (you cannot play anything well on an instrument unless you can sing it in your head first).
..........2)While in guitar position, sing again; this time singing the finger numbers as students place the proper fingers down (silent fingering). ..........3)Again in guitar position, sing the fingering and/or solfege while fingering on the left and plucking on the right. ..........4)If the last step can be done with ease, then try re-doing it in the proper holding position at the neck. ..........5)Once the left hand fingering is memorized and has become what I term an "automatic reflex" (movements that are performed without overtly thinking because they have become a reaction) then the bow can be tried in replacement of the pizzicato.
..........6)Having the left fingering memorized allows the brain to focus only on the use of the bow; if the left fingers have not learned the movements as an automatic reflex and the bow is used too soon with the left fingers, then the brain is forced to have to concentrate on two completely different movements at the same time... that is very difficult to do and it will take longer to get the song learned.
..........7)Continue to use the UH (upper half ) of the bow only in playing the song and work toward articulating the beginnings of each separate bow stroke. .....f. We also started another DO-RE-MI song: Mary had a Little Lamb (using same practicing format) Tomorrow Mary had a SAD lamb open string bowing try out open string holiday song if time
ADVANCED VIOLIN PERIOD 4: OBJECTIVE: Preparation for Harvest Day performance on October 28th/Hoedown music 1. TUNE
2. Hoe Down .....a. Worked on section B trying to get all the notes to stay together on the violins
.....b. Practiced cello, guitar, piano part separately and they learned to stay together
.....c. Violins need to accent the first note of every 4 in the 16th note passages ........1)Need to sit properly in the seat with feet on the floor so you can use the feet to help make the accent ........2)We do not play these instruments with only the upper parts of our bodies 3. Orange Blossom Special .....a. Violins stayed together but the piano, guitar parts still need to keep steady beats (will work on that next lesson)
DATE: MONDAY WEEK 06 SEMESTER #2 AUTHOR: Robert Schumann QUOTE FROM THE BOARD: “If we were all determined to play the first violin we should never have an ensemble. Therefore, respect every musician in his proper place.” MEANING OF THE QUOTE: “No one person is successful without a team behind him.” ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DATE: TUESDAY WEEK 06 SEMESTER #2 AUTHOR: George Crumb QUOTE FROM THE BOARD: “An American or Europeon can composer, for example, now has access to the music of various Asian, African, and South American cultures.” MEANING OF THE QUOTE: “Because of mass communication, composers know more about music from other cultures for which they can incorporate into their own music.” ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DATE: WEDNESDAY WEEK 06 SEMESTER #2 AUTHOR: Frederick Delius QUOTE FROM THE BOARD: “Music is an outburst of the soul.” MEANING OF THE QUOTE: "Music is not just organized sound, it is an expression of the human condition.” ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DATE: THURSDAY WEEK 06 SEMESTER #2 AUTHOR: Ludwig van Beethoven QUOTE FROM THE BOARD: “Recommend virtue to your children; it alone, not money, can make them happy. I speak from experience.” MEANING OF THE QUOTE: “If you cant live with yourself because you act in a way contrary to your ethics all the money in the world will not make you happy.” ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ DATE: FRIDAY WEEK 06 SEMESTER #2 AUTHOR: Oscar Hammerstein II QUOTE FROM THE BOARD: “It's a very ancient saying, but a true and honest thought, that if you become a teacher, by your pupils you'll be taught.” MEANING OF THE QUOTE: “An intelligent person knows that you can always learn something from every situation and people you meet.” -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GENERAL MUSIC PERIODS 2,3,6 COMPOSER: BACH PRELUDE AND FUGUE in D MINOR (SEE POST ON THIS BLOG) 1. Bach was an expert on playing the organ and he wrote many pieces of music for that instrument. 2. This piece is extremely famous and is often associated with music like one might hear in the "Haunted House" at Disneyland. However, Bach had never intended his music to be used in that way. 3. A "prelude" is a musical introduction and a "fugue" is "a musical composition in which one or two themes are repeated or imitated by successively entering voices and contrapuntally developed in a continuous interweaving of the voice parts." (http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fugue) .....a. It is a fancy round or "canon" in which layers of melodies (horizontal patterns of repeated sounds) overlap themselves in a such a way that their vertical combinations form very beautiful harmonies. .....b. Each horizontal pattern of melody has an individual character that can be played alone but also combines well when layered against the others in the fugue. OBJECTIVE: UNDERSTANDING THE BAROQUE "CANON" 1. QUOTE AUTHOR: Gioacchino Rossini .....a. An Italian opera composer from the 19th Century .....b. One of his most famous pieces was the "William Tell Overture"
which was used as the theme song for old TV series called the "Lone Ranger."
2. Discussed what a musical "canon" is. .....a. The word “canon” comes from the Greek kanon, meaning “rule” or “order.” .....b. "A composition or passage in which a melody is imitated by one or more voices at fixed intervals of pitch and time." Sort-of like a fancy round (ie: round example: "Row Row Row Your Boat") .....c. This type of musical style is typical of the music that was being played during the time of Bach. .....d. A good example of a canon in this style is one written by Johan Pachelbel
.....f. After hearing the canon, we sang each of the 4 individual parts (melodies) with the recording. .....g. Then I split the class into 4 parts and gave each group one of the 4 melodies to sing with the recording. .....h. The groups switched parts and resang these again with the recording. .....i. By singing the canon we were able to experience how difficult it is to sing one melody with someone next to you singing something completely different and also it helped the students to understand this famous style from Bach's time.
BEGINNING VIOLIN PERIOD 5: OBJECTIVE: DO-RE-MI Fingering 1. TUNE 2. FINGERING DO-RE-MI (Students are to remember to keep the 1st finger down when placing down the 2nd finger) ....a. Using the guitar position (for practice purposes only) students reviewed and practiced plucking the strings using the right thumb over the fingerboard while they fingered the DO, RE, MI notes using the left fingers. .....b. We practiced DO, RE, MI on each string in the CYCLE OF STRINGS and students were instructed to retry again with the objective of being able to place the fingers down without using their eyes; I want them to use their sense of touch and their sense of hearing. .....c. When able to perform this task they are then ready to try placing the violin up in its regular position and pluck the same sounds, again using right pizzicato. .....d. We re-did the exercise again using a DO, RE, MI, MI, RE, DO pattern (placing fingers down and then removing them in order). .....e. We started to use the DO, RE, MI patterns in songs; our first one to start on: "HOT CROSS BUNS" (This is to be played on each string in the CYCLE OF STRINGS) ..........1)First sing the solfege to get the tune in the mind first (you cannot play anything well on an instrument unless you can sing it in your head first). ..........2)While in guitar position, sing again; this time singing the finger numbers as students place the proper fingers down (silent fingering). ..........3)Again in guitar position, sing the fingering and/or solfege while fingering on the left and plucking on the right. ..........4)If the last step can be done with ease, then try re-doing it in the proper holding position at the neck. ..........5)Once the left hand fingering is memorized and has become what I term an "automatic reflex" (movements that are performed without overtly thinking because they have become a reaction) then the bow can be tried in replacement of the pizzicato. ..........6)Having the left fingering memorized allows the brain to focus only on the use of the bow; if the left fingers have not learned the movements as an automatic reflex and the bow is used too soon with the left fingers, then the brain is forced to have to concentrate on two completely different movements at the same time... that is very difficult to do and it will take longer to get the song learned. ..........7)Continue to use the UH (upper half ) of the bow only in playing the song and work toward articulating the beginnings of each separate bow stroke. WE ARE CONTINUING THIS TOMORROW TO GET MORE STUDENTS READY TO COMBINE LEFT FINGERS WITH THE USE OF THE BOW ADVANCED VIOLIN PERIOD 4: OBJECTIVE: Preparation for Harvest Day performance on October 28th/Hoedown music 1. TUNE 2. DE COLORES .....a. Reviewed harmony parts with cellos, guitar, and piano by having everyone (including violins) play the harmony part. .....c. Started the process of connecting the parts together. by having 4 violins start the melody part (more have been added from yesterday and more students to be added later until all violins are playing the melody). .....d. We worked on articulation so all instruments will be staring and stopping at the same time .....e. We sight read through "Good King Wenceslas" in tutorial home room and started to read and play the notes located on the "D" string (playing with the recording students only played those notes and left out the others...this rehearsaltechnique used to teach continuity) QUIZ ON THE DIFFICULT 4-NOTE PASSAGE OF ORANGE BLOSSOM SPECIAL POSTPONED UNTIL I RE-ANNOUNCE IT
OBJECTIVE: Keyboard muscle/finger coordination; songs by number 1. QUOTE AUTHOR: Robert Schumann .....a. Schumann Documentary:
2. SOLFEGE DO-RE-MI(while checking for finishing quotes) 3. KEYBOARDS: TEACHER WILL BE GOING AROUND TO CHECK STUDENTS FOR: .....a. Understanding how to "D" on the keyboards .....b. Demonstrating how to play a "B" "A" "G" song (Mary or Hot Cross Buns) .....c. Ear training on one pentatonic(black key note song) .....d. Understanding on how to start reading songs by number on the keyboard (used to teach the "frame" position of the hands and also to be able to use the sense of touch rather than the eyes looking at the keys while playing). This lesson will continue into tomorrow.
BEGINNING VIOLIN PERIOD 5: OBJECTIVE: PREPARATION FOR HOLIDAY PERFORMANCE/FINGERING DO-RE-MI (MAJOR) 1. TUNE 2. Passed out packets of holiday music to each student without colors on them .....a.Students are to color in the notes (colors stand for which string the notes are played on) for Coventry Carol but wait for directions before coloring in the notes on the next songs until we have a chance to go over the music in class) 3. HOLIDAY PROGRAM SONG: COVENTRY CAROL 4. HOLIDAY PROGRAM SONG: HAVA NAGILA .....a. This is an open string, bowing (arco) harmony part and will be played with the advanced violins (from the period 4 class) playing the melody at the concert. .....b. Listened to the recorded accompaniment and teacher demonstration. .....c. Explained about whole notes, half notes, and quarter notes (using money as examples: whole note=4 quarters; half note=2 quarters; quarter note =1 quarter .....d. The class read the open string notes as teacher wrote the letters down on the chart. .....e. Instructions were given to use the boe (UH) if comfortable; if not, can first learn the song using pizzicato in guitar and/or regular position. 5. MARY (DO-RE-MI SONG) played on each string in the cycle of strings with bow (UH) Coming Up: we will be replaying DO-RE-MI songs: Mary and Hot Cross Buns on the G, D, and A strings but adding the next higher open string with it [example playing Mary (DO-RE-MI) on the "D" string but bowing open A with the D string at the same time]. By adding the neighboring (next highest) open string while playing the melody on the lower string, harmony is produced. Using this technique on these DO-RE-MI songs helps students to listen for intonation because it is easier to hear a finger going out of tune when there is another note harmonizing with it.
ADVANCED VIOLIN PERIOD 4: OBJECTIVE: Preparation for Harvest Day performance on October 28th 1. TUNE 2. WE USED MUSIC STANDS and PASSED OUT MUSIC BINDERS TO THE VIOLINS THAT WILL BE USED IN THE PERFORMANCE .....a. These binders are to remain in class at all times .....b. Music to remain in plastic sleeves at all times 3. DE COLORES .....a. Read through with music on the stands instead of on posters .....b. Worked for balance of harmony and melody. .....c. Worked for independence of harmony parts. 4. HOEDOWN .....a. Ran through the music a few times. .....b. Electric guitar was able to stay on the beat with the violins; I think the amp was adjusted better the guitar and violins could hear each other better. .....c. Keyboard did not play so we will have to see if we can secure the same sound blend (where everyone can hear one another) tomorrow 5. ORANGE BLOSSOM SPECIAL.....a. Again, music was on the stands and played without posters. .....b. The volume was turned up a little on the recorded accompaniment which allowed both harmony and melody parts to stay together .....c. Again the electric quitar seemed to have the amp more in balance which helped considerably so everyone could hear each other to stay together. .....d. The keyboard part was not in the mix so (as in the other piece) we will have to see if the accompaniment will be able to be heard by him as well. 4. Preparation for the Harvest Festival Performance ......a. There are 12 practice sessions (days left) before the concert ......b. We will be performing on the outside stage in the early part of the festival ......c. When we are finished we can put our instruments away in the room and enjoy rest of the festivities ......d. More information to follow when I get it.
