Lesson Plan: Grand Staff/Great Staff
Subject: Music
Class: JSS 1
Term: First Term
Week: 8
Age: 11-12 years
Topic: Grand Staff/Great Staff
Sub-topic: Definition, Functions, and Drawing of the Grand Staff
Duration: 40 minutes
Behavioral Objectives
At the end of the lesson, students should be able to:
- Define the Grand Staff.
- Mention the functions of the Grand Staff.
- State the components of the Grand Staff.
- Draw the Grand Staff accurately.
Keywords
- Grand Staff
- Treble Clef
- Bass Clef
- Staff
- Lines and Spaces
Set Induction
The teacher plays a piece of music that uses both the treble and bass clefs. Students listen and try to identify the different clefs used. This will introduce the concept of the Grand Staff and its use in music notation.
Entry Behaviour
Students have basic knowledge of treble and bass clefs and how to draw them. They are familiar with the concept of the musical staff.
Learning Resources and Materials
- Flashcards with the Grand Staff diagram
- Whiteboard and markers
- Music notation software or printed music examples
Building Background/Connection to Prior Knowledge
The teacher connects the Grand Staff to previous lessons on treble and bass clefs, explaining how they combine to form the Grand Staff, which is used for a broader range of pitches in music notation.
Embedded Core Skills
- Visual and spatial understanding
- Cognitive reasoning
- Fine motor skills for drawing
Reference Books
- Lagos State Scheme of Work
- Music Theory for Beginners by Hal Leonard
- Basic Music Notation by Alfred Publishing
Instructional Materials
- Whiteboard
- Flashcards
- Music notation software or printed examples of the Grand Staff
Content: Grand Staff/Great Staff
- Definition of Grand Staff:
The Grand Staff is a system of two staffs (the treble and bass clefs) joined by a brace. It is used to notate music that covers a wide range of pitches, such as in piano music.
- Functions of the Grand Staff:
- Combines the treble and bass clefs to accommodate a wide pitch range.
- Allows for the notation of music for instruments like the piano, which has a broad range of notes.
- Helps musicians read and play music that spans both high and low registers.
- Components of the Grand Staff:
- Treble Staff: The upper staff in the Grand Staff, used for higher-pitched notes.
- Bass Staff: The lower staff in the Grand Staff, used for lower-pitched notes.
- Brace: The symbol that connects the two staffs, showing they are part of the same piece of music.
- Drawing the Grand Staff:
- Draw the treble staff with five lines and four spaces.
- Draw the bass staff with five lines and four spaces below the treble staff.
- Add the brace connecting the two staffs.
Examples of the Grand Staff in Use:
- Piano music, which uses both treble and bass clefs to cover the full range of notes.
- Sheet music for some organs, which also spans a wide range.
- Music for harp, which uses the Grand Staff to notate both high and low pitches.
- Guitar sheet music that uses the Grand Staff for arrangements involving multiple octaves.
- Some vocal music scores, where different clefs are used for different voice parts.
The Great Staff
The great stave consists of 11 lines and 10 spaces. When the bass and treble clef are combined and connected by a brace (left) and lines, they become the grand staff. This greatly increases the range of pitches that can be noted, and is often used in piano music due to the piano’s wide range.
A brace or bracket is a line connecting two or more staves, found to the left of the staves.
Ledger Lines
Ledger lines are the lines extended below or above the staff, allowing for higher or lower notes to be shown than would otherwise fit on the staff. These lines follow the same musical alphabet pattern as the staff does. They are often referred to as extra lines and spaces on the end of the staff. The stems of notes on ledger lines extend either up or down towards the middle line.
The Piano and the Great Staff
Presentation
Step 1: Revising the Previous Topic
The teacher revises the previous topic on clefs and their functions, ensuring students understand how the treble and bass clefs work individually.
Step 2: Introducing the New Topic
The teacher introduces the Grand Staff, explaining how it combines the treble and bass staffs to create a comprehensive notation system for a wide pitch range.
Step 3: Allowing Pupils to Contribute
Students are invited to contribute their ideas and observations about the Grand Staff. The teacher corrects any misunderstandings and provides additional explanations as needed.
Teacher’s Activities
- Explain the concept of the Grand Staff and its components.
- Demonstrate how to draw the Grand Staff on the whiteboard.
- Show examples of music that uses the Grand Staff.
Learners’ Activities
- Practice drawing the Grand Staff.
- Identify the treble and bass staffs in music examples.
- Discuss the functions of the Grand Staff in groups.
Assessment
Evaluation Questions:
- Define the Grand Staff.
- What is the function of the Grand Staff?
- Name the two parts of the Grand Staff.
- What is ledger line?
- Draw a great staff.
- What are the letter names of the great stave?
- What joined the treble & bass clef together?
- Great stave consist of how many lines and spaces?
- Draw the Grand Staff and label the treble and bass staffs.
- What does the brace do in the Grand Staff?
- Which staff is used for high-pitched notes?
- Which staff is used for low-pitched notes?
- Describe how you would draw the Grand Staff.
- Give an example of music that uses the Grand Staff.
- Why is the Grand Staff important in music notation?
Conclusion
The teacher reviews the lesson, checks students’ drawings of the Grand Staff for accuracy, and provides feedback. The teacher answers any final questions and clarifies any misunderstandings.
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