Understanding Music Theory for JSS 1 Cultural and Creative Arts JSS 1 First Term Lesson Notes Week 10

Cultural and Creative Arts JSS 1 First Term Lesson Notes Week 10

Subject: Cultural and Creative Arts
Class: JSS 1
Term: First Term
Week: 10
Age: 11 years
Topic: Theory of Music
Sub-topic: Understanding Music Theory
Duration: 40 minutes

Behavioural Objectives:

• Pupils should be able to explain basic music theory concepts.
• Pupils should understand how musical elements combine to create a piece of music.
• Pupils should be able to identify and explain different types of scales and intervals.

Keywords:

• Scale
• Interval
• Chord
• Key Signature
• Time Signature
• Dynamics

Set Induction:

Play a short piece of music and ask pupils to identify what they hear. Discuss how different musical elements contribute to the overall sound.

Entry Behaviour:

Pupils should have a basic understanding of music concepts such as rhythm, melody, and harmony from previous lessons.

Learning Resources and Materials:

• Audio clips of different musical pieces
• Music theory charts and diagrams
• Whiteboard and markers

Building Background / Connection to Prior Knowledge:

Link the lesson to previous topics on rudiments of music by explaining how scales and intervals are foundational to understanding music theory.

Embedded Core Skills:

• Analytical skills
• Pattern recognition
• Attention to detail
• Creative thinking

Learning Materials:

• Textbook: Lagos State Scheme of Work for Cultural and Creative Arts
• Online music theory resources

Instructional Materials:

• Audio player and speakers
• Music theory charts
• Whiteboard and markers

Content:

1. Definition of Music Theory:
   • Music theory is the study of how music works, including the structure and organization of musical elements.
2. Scales:
   • Major Scale: A sequence of notes with a specific pattern of whole and half steps. Example: C major scale (C-D-E-F-G-A-B).
   • Minor Scale: A scale that has a different pattern of steps compared to the major scale. Example: A minor scale (A-B-C-D-E-F-G).
3. Intervals:
   • Interval: The distance between two notes. Example: The interval between C and E is a major third.
   • Types of Intervals: Major, minor, perfect, diminished, and augmented.
4. Chords:
   • Chord: A group of notes played together. Example: C major chord (C-E-G).
   • Types of Chords: Major, minor, diminished, and augmented chords.
5. Key Signature:
   • Key Signature: Indicates the key of a piece of music by specifying which notes are sharp or flat.
6. Time Signature:
   • Time Signature: Shows how many beats are in each measure and what note value gets one beat. Example: 4/4 time signature (four beats per measure, quarter note gets one beat).
7. Dynamics:
   • Dynamics: The volume of music. Example: Forte (loud), piano (soft).

Evaluation:

1. The major scale consists of a sequence of notes with a pattern of __________. a) Whole and half steps
   b) Whole steps only
   c) Half steps only
   d) Random steps
2. Intervals refer to __________. a) The length of a musical piece
   b) The distance between two notes
   c) The speed of the music
   d) The volume of the music
3. A chord is __________. a) A single note played alone
   b) A group of notes played together
   c) A type of scale
   d) A time signature
4. The key signature indicates __________. a) The tempo of the music
   b) The type of rhythm used
   c) The key of the piece and notes that are sharp or flat
   d) The dynamics of the music
5. The time signature shows __________. a) How many beats are in each measure
   b) The key of the music
   c) The type of intervals used
   d) The type of chords played
6. In 4/4 time signature, there are __________ beats per measure. a) Two
   b) Three
   c) Four
   d) Five
7. Dynamics refer to __________. a) The speed of the music
   b) The volume of the music
   c) The key of the music
   d) The type of scale
8. A minor scale differs from a major scale in its __________. a) Tempo
   b) Dynamics
   c) Pattern of whole and half steps
   d) Time signature
9. The interval between C and G is a __________. a) Major third
   b) Perfect fifth
   c) Minor seventh
   d) Diminished fourth
10. Major chords are made up of __________. a) Three notes: root, third, and fifth
    b) Two notes: root and third
    c) Four notes: root, third, fifth, and seventh
    d) One note
11. Key signatures help musicians know __________. a) How to play a scale
    b) The tempo of the music
    c) Which notes are sharp or flat
    d) The type of dynamics
12. Minor chords have __________. a) A sad or somber sound
    b) A bright and happy sound
    c) No sound at all
    d) A fast tempo
13. 4/4 time signature is often used in __________. a) Classical music only
    b) Popular music and dance
    c) Jazz music exclusively
    d) Electronic music only
14. Scales are important because they __________. a) Define the volume of the music
    b) Show how the music is organized
    c) Determine the rhythm
    d) Change the time signature
15. Intervals are crucial for __________. a) Reading music
    b) Performing dynamics
    c) Understanding scales and harmony
    d) Setting tempo

Class Activity Discussion:

1. What are the basic elements of music theory?
2. How do scales and intervals contribute to music composition?
3. Discuss different types of chords and their uses.
4. Explain how key signatures and time signatures affect a piece of music.
5. Identify and listen to examples of different musical elements discussed in the lesson.

Presentation:

1. Step 1: Review the concepts of music rudiments from the previous week.
2. Step 2: Introduce the basics of music theory, including scales, intervals, chords, key signatures, and time signatures.
3. Step 3: Engage pupils in exercises to identify and apply these concepts through listening and notation activities.

Teacher’s Activities:

• Explain music theory concepts using examples.
• Demonstrate scales, intervals, and chords on a musical instrument.
• Facilitate listening exercises to identify key musical elements.

Learners’ Activities:

• Participate in identifying scales, intervals, and chords in music examples.
• Practice reading and writing music notation.
• Discuss and analyze how different music theory concepts affect the overall piece of music.

Assessment:

• Evaluate pupils’ understanding of music theory through their participation in exercises and discussions.
• Check their ability to identify and explain different music elements.

Evaluation Questions:

1. What is music theory and why is it important?
2. Describe the difference between major and minor scales.
3. Explain what an interval is and give an example.
4. How do key signatures influence a musical piece?
5. What does the time signature indicate in music?
6. Compare the sound of major and minor chords.
7. Define dynamics and provide examples.
8. How does understanding music theory help in playing an instrument?
9. What role do scales play in music composition?
10. Identify and describe different types of intervals.

Conclusion:

The teacher will review key music theory concepts, check pupils’ understanding through their responses and activities, and provide feedback.