Elements of Music Music JSS 1 First Term Lesson Notes Week 2

Lesson Plan: The Elements of Music

Subject: Music
Class: JSS 1
Term: First Term
Week: 2
Age: 11-12 years
Topic: The Elements of Music
Sub-topic: Definition and Explanation of the Elements of Music
Duration: 40 minutes

Behavioral Objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. Define the elements of music.
2. List and explain the key elements of music.
3. Identify examples of each element in a piece of music.
4. Demonstrate understanding of how these elements affect music.

Keywords

• Elements of music
• Melody
• Harmony
• Rhythm
• Tempo
• Pitch

Set Induction

Begin the lesson by playing a short piece of music and ask the students to describe what they heard. Guide them toward identifying the different features they notice in the music (e.g., speed, melody, beats, etc.).

Entry Behaviour

Students are familiar with the basic idea of what music is, as they have discussed its definition and sources in Week 1.

Learning Resources and Materials

• Audio clips of different songs and melodies
• Musical instruments (if available)
• Whiteboard and markers

Building Background/Connection to Prior Knowledge

Ask the students to recall what they learned about the definition of music and sound from Week 1. Explain that today they will learn about the building blocks of music, also known as the elements of music.

Embedded Core Skills

• Listening skills
• Critical thinking
• Collaboration and discussion skills

Reference Books

• Lagos State Scheme of Work
• Music Theory for Beginners

Instructional Materials

• Audio clips of music with distinct examples of the elements
• Pictures of musical notes
• A drum or other simple percussion instruments

Content (Elements of Music)

1. Melody:
   Melody is the sequence of notes that make up the tune of a song. It is the most recognizable part of a piece of music.
   Example: The melody of “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star.”
2. Rhythm:
   Rhythm is the pattern of sounds and silences in music. It is the beat or pulse that you feel when you listen to music.
   Example: The rhythmic beat in a drumline.
3. Harmony:
   Harmony happens when two or more notes are played or sung at the same time. It adds depth and richness to the music.
   Example: The combination of voices in a choir.
4. Tempo:
   Tempo is the speed at which a piece of music is played. It can be fast, slow, or somewhere in between.
   Example: A fast-paced dance song versus a slow ballad.
5. Pitch:
   Pitch refers to how high or low a note is. High-pitched sounds are sharp, while low-pitched sounds are deep.
   Example: The difference between a violin (high-pitched) and a bass guitar (low-pitched).
6. Dynamics:
   Dynamics refer to the loudness or softness of music. Music can be played loudly to create excitement or softly to express calmness.
   Example: A sudden loud drumbeat in an orchestra.
7. Timbre (Tone Color):
   Timbre is the unique quality of a sound that makes it different from other sounds, even if they have the same pitch and volume.
   Example: The difference in sound between a trumpet and a flute.

15 Fill-in-the-Blank Questions with Options

1. The sequence of notes that make up the main tune of a song is called _____.
   a) rhythm
   b) melody
   c) harmony
   d) dynamics
2. _____ refers to the speed at which music is played.
   a) Pitch
   b) Tempo
   c) Melody
   d) Harmony
3. The pattern of beats or sounds in music is called _____.
   a) rhythm
   b) dynamics
   c) tempo
   d) pitch
4. The loudness or softness of music is known as _____.
   a) melody
   b) dynamics
   c) harmony
   d) rhythm
5. When two or more notes are played at the same time, it is called _____.
   a) melody
   b) pitch
   c) harmony
   d) rhythm
6. The unique sound quality that distinguishes one instrument from another is called _____.
   a) tempo
   b) rhythm
   c) timbre
   d) dynamics
7. High or low sounds in music are referred to as _____.
   a) melody
   b) pitch
   c) harmony
   d) rhythm
8. _____ adds depth to music by combining multiple notes.
   a) Pitch
   b) Melody
   c) Harmony
   d) Dynamics
9. A fast or slow song depends on its _____.
   a) harmony
   b) dynamics
   c) tempo
   d) timbre
10. The main tune of a song is the _____.
    a) melody
    b) rhythm
    c) tempo
    d) pitch
11. The pattern of beats that creates the feel of the music is _____.
    a) rhythm
    b) melody
    c) harmony
    d) dynamics
12. Loud and soft changes in music are called _____.
    a) melody
    b) dynamics
    c) rhythm
    d) tempo
13. The difference between the sound of a piano and a violin, even when playing the same note, is due to _____.
    a) dynamics
    b) pitch
    c) timbre
    d) harmony
14. Music that moves slowly has a slow _____.
    a) tempo
    b) pitch
    c) melody
    d) dynamics
15. The combination of sounds that create depth in music is called _____.
    a) rhythm
    b) harmony
    c) melody
    d) dynamics

15 FAQs with Answers

1. What are the elements of music?
   The elements of music are the basic parts that make up music, like melody, rhythm, and harmony.
2. What is melody in music?
   Melody is the main tune of a piece of music.
3. What is rhythm?
   Rhythm is the pattern of beats or sounds in music.
4. What is harmony?
   Harmony is when two or more notes are played at the same time to make the music sound fuller.
5. What is tempo?
   Tempo is the speed at which a piece of music is played.
6. What is pitch?
   Pitch is how high or low a sound is.
7. What is dynamics in music?
   Dynamics are the loudness or softness of a piece of music.
8. What is timbre?
   Timbre is the quality or color of a sound that makes it unique.
9. How does tempo affect music?
   Tempo affects whether music feels fast or slow.
10. What is the role of rhythm in music?
    Rhythm gives music its beat and makes you want to move to the music.
11. Why is melody important in music?
    Melody is important because it is the part of the music that people usually recognize and sing along with.
12. How does harmony affect music?
    Harmony adds depth and richness to the music.
13. Can the same note have different timbres?
    Yes, the same note can sound different depending on the instrument or voice that plays it.
14. What happens when the dynamics of a song change?
    The music becomes louder or softer, which can change the mood of the song.
15. Why are the elements of music important?
    They help create the structure and feel of the music.

Teacher’s Activities

• Play different music pieces to highlight each element (e.g., fast tempo, strong rhythm, etc.).
• Write the definitions and explanations of the elements on the board.
• Lead students in identifying elements from the audio clips played.

Learners’ Activities

• Listen to music and identify the different elements.
• Participate in discussions about how each element affects the music.
• Complete exercises and answer questions related to the elements of music.

Evaluation Questions

1. What is melody?
2. Define rhythm.
3. Give an example of harmony in music.
4. What does pitch refer to?
5. Explain what tempo means.
6. What are dynamics in music?
7. Mention one example of timbre.
8. How does rhythm affect music?
9. What is the main tune of a song called?
10. Why is harmony important?

Conclusion

The teacher goes around the class, marking students’ work and giving feedback. The key points about the elements of music are summarized, ensuring the students understand their role in creating music.