Grade 6 (Assignment 3/Q2/ 2016/17) - Music Vocabulary

When words fail, music speaks!

Here are some of the music vocabulary that you will need to know in Grade 6. Create a folder called 'Music Vocabulary' in google drive under your individual name. In a document, list down these words and find the meanings.

1. tone color 
2. coda
3. band
4. orchestra
5. form
6. introduction
7. trio
8. verse-refrain form
9. rhythm
10. pitch
11. melodic contour
12. countermelody
13. ledger lines
14. texture
15. tie
16. chords
17. root
18. triad
19. arranger
20. instrumentation

Remember to look for the meaning of these words related to music and not in general. 

E.g) Tie in general is known as a piece of string, cord, or the like used for fastening or tying            something 

         Tie in music is known as a curved, horizontal line that connects two music notes of                   the same pitch 

Writing down the meaning without understanding it will not benefit you in anywhere. You will need to present your findings and understanding to the class with examples at the end of this unit! 

Grade 6 (Assignment 2/Q2/ 2016/17) - Composition

Use proper manuscript paper to create a 16 bar composition on the xylophone.

Here are the specifications:

• This is a three-part assignment. 

1. Part one – composition
2. Part two – performance 
3. Part three – reflection (1 page)

• Composition Length: 16 bars with all correct staff symbols (Clef, bar lines, key signature etc.)

•   Instrumentation: This composition will be written for the xylophone. You may wish to write an accompany percussion part for a 4+ however it is not a requirement. ( This might give you a little push on your way to an 'exceeding')

• All written music must be ORIGINAL

• You will be assessed on creativity, write your composition creatively yet playable.

Here are some details to consider:

• Consider creating a final copy using a music composition software such as Finale, Musescore, Noteflight – if these are not available use manuscript paper and complete the assignment as cleanly and neatly as possible. If you chose to do this be sure to still hand in your hand written copy as that will be marked too.

•  You must submit a completed hard copy of your composition on the due date. A one page reflection will accompany your composition articulating why you chose to write the composition the way you did, what you liked or were proud of in the composition, and what you felt challenging about the assignment.

• You must perform your composition in class for your classmates on an assigned date.

Grade 5 (Q2/L3/2016-2017) - Hip Hop

Part 1

Your job is to create a hip hop song with a partner. You need to do the following: 

• Work with a partner to agree on a topic. 
• You may pick any topic as long as it is appropriate. This means that your subject matter, language and topic is something you’d share at school. 
• List 20 things you can think of that make you think of this subject. 
• Try to list some rhyming ideas. 
• For instance, if you are writing about Sponge Bob – try to think of all of the different things you can talk about with the characters: 

Spongebob SquarePants & Patrick Star 

They take boating lessons, they don’t drive a car 

Squidward Tentacles is the king of sour 

Plankton thinks the crabby patty formula will give him power

Part 2

You should type your lyrics out in Google Doc. So now you need to put your ideas to music. The cool thing about Hip Hop is that there are very few rules [other than making something that sounds cool, getting some good rhythm patterns and finding a riff.] 

A riff is a simple repeated pattern that surfaces throughout a song. Rock songs have them. Country songs have them. Pop Songs have them. Most songs have riffs. Some people also call this part a ‘hook.’ This is a part you hope people will remember about your song. 

Many hip hop songs sample or ‘borrow’ a riff or hook from another pre-recorded song. I will allow you to do this…but you have to play the part on the xylophone or keyboard. If you can play it on the guitar and you can make your case, I will agree to that as well. This should be only 4-10 notes. Keep it short. You will use 4/4 time and you need to draw in the bar lines to end each measure of 4 beats.

Part 3

Now you need a rhythm pattern. You will use an online metronome of your choice or metronome. Pick a rhythm pattern using the metronome. Write down the rhythm setting and the tempo [beats per minute – bpm.] 

Go back and write down where the riff will be played. It should only appear in certain parts of the song. You don’t want TOO much of a good thing!

Assignment Submission : November 28th 2016

Grade 5 (Q2/L2/2016-2017) - Music Invention

Humans have been making and playing musical instruments for thousands of years. New instruments are invented, and existing instruments are modified to produce different sounds. Probably many cultures have used a hollow log as a simple drum. Many instruments are based on vibrating strings. One category of instrument, horns, depends on the vibrating lips of the player to create sound. Other instruments use vibrating reeds. The many flutelike instruments create sound by causing a column of air to vibrate. In this project, you will design, build, and test your own musical instrument. At the end of the project, you will demonstrate your instrument in a class presentation.

Project Rules

You must be able to:

1. Demonstrate how to change the loudness and pitch of the sound produced by your instrument.
2. Your instrument must be made of safe materials. 
3. Cover any sharp edges with tape. 
4. Loud sounds can damage hearing. 
5. Do not play your instrument too near other students’ ears. 
6. You may not use electricity in your instrument in any way. 
7. You must demonstrate and play a simple tune (or rhythm) on your instrument in a class presentation. 
8. Assignment Submission will be on November 29th 2016.

Suggested Materials

1. You may use almost anything to build your musical instrument, such as different sizes of rubber bands, cardboard boxes, different lengths of cardboard tubes or plastic pipes, string, wooden craft sticks or tongue depressors, drinking straws, and bottles. 
2. You may use other materials of your own choosing that you bring from home, as long as you discuss this with your teacher first. 
3. Practically anything can be incorporated into a musical instrument. 

Project Hints

1. Think about whether you will want to play your instrument by blowing into it, strumming it, striking it, or by some other method. 
2. Be creative! Don’t limit yourself to the materials suggested by your teacher. And don’t just copy an existing instrument. 
3. Part of your teacher’s assessment of your project will be based on originality. A
4. s you decide on the design of your instrument, remember that you will need to play something on it. 
5. Your instrument must not only make sounds, but it must make different sounds. 

Planning Your Musical Instrument

Having trouble getting started? The following tasks will help you start the design phase of this project. Use another sheet of paper if you need more room. 

• Brainstorm all the ways you can think of that musical instruments make and modify sound. You might want to begin with instruments that are familiar to you, either because you or someone you know plays them, or because music you like is played on them. Then think of instruments you may not know as much about. 
• As you brainstorm, you may find it helpful to classify instruments into categories, such as instruments with a mouthpiece and instruments in which strings make the sound. 
• Finally, try to think of ways to make and modify sound that may not be used in a conventional instrument.
• Draw a diagram of your proposed instrument. Be sure to label its parts, and the materials you will use.
• How will you play your instrument? Exactly how will your instrument make sounds? What will vibrate to create sound waves? How will your instrument make sounds of different pitch and volume?
• Make detailed notes on the construction of your instrument. Will you need to use other materials for certain parts of your instrument? How will the parts fit together? Will you need glue or special tools to make your instrument?