Music JSS 1 Second Term Lesson Notes – Week 8

Lesson Plan: The Piano Keyboard (Tones and Semitones)

Subject: Music

Class: JSS 1

Term: Second Term

Week: 8

Age: 10–12 years

Topic: The Piano Keyboard

Sub-topic: Tones and Semitones

Duration: 40 Minutes

Behavioural Objectives

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

1. Identify and describe the parts of a piano keyboard.
2. Differentiate between tones and semitones.
3. Explain the arrangement of white and black keys on a keyboard.
4. Demonstrate how to locate musical notes on the piano.

Keywords

• Keyboard
• White keys
• Black keys
• Tones
• Semitones
• Pitch
• Notes

Set Induction

The teacher plays a short melody on a keyboard or shows a picture of a piano keyboard and asks students to identify the black and white keys.

Entry Behaviour

Students have basic knowledge of musical notes from previous lessons.

Learning Resources and Materials

• A piano or a keyboard (if available)
• Chart of a piano keyboard
• Audio recordings of different pitches
• Flashcards with musical notes

Building Background/Connection to Prior Knowledge

The teacher reminds students about musical notes and their arrangement on a staff.

Embedded Core Skills

• Critical Thinking
• Observation
• Creativity
• Listening

Reference Books

• Lagos State Scheme of Work for Music JSS 1
• Basic Music Theory Textbook

Instructional Materials

• Projector (if available)
• Printed keyboard charts
• Colored markers to label notes on a keyboard chart

Content

1. Definition and Explanation of the Piano Keyboard

The piano keyboard is a set of black and white keys that produce different musical sounds when played. The keys are arranged in a pattern that repeats every 12 keys.

2. White and Black Keys Arrangement

• The white keys are named A, B, C, D, E, F, and G.
• The black keys are arranged in groups of two and three.
• The pattern of seven white keys and five black keys repeats across the keyboard.

3. Understanding Tones and Semitones

• A semitone (half step) is the smallest interval between two adjacent keys (e.g., C to C# or E to F).
• A tone (whole step) is the distance of two keys with one in between (e.g., C to D or A to B).

4. Examples of Tones and Semitones on the Keyboard

1. C to C# (Semitone)
2. D to E (Tone)
3. E to F (Semitone)
4. G to A (Tone)
5. B to C (Semitone)
6. F# to G# (Tone)
7. A# to B (Semitone)
8. C# to D# (Tone)
9. D# to E (Semitone)
10. G# to A# (Tone)

Evaluation Questions

Part A: Fill-in-the-blank (Multiple Choice)

1. The keyboard consists of black and ____ keys.
   a) Blue
   b) White
   c) Red
   d) Green
2. The white keys on a keyboard are named after the letters ____.
   a) A–G
   b) A–E
   c) B–H
   d) C–F
3. A semitone is also called a ____.
   a) Half step
   b) Whole step
   c) Full note
   d) Quarter step
4. A tone consists of ____.
   a) Two semitones
   b) Three semitones
   c) A half step
   d) No steps

Class Activity Discussion (FAQs)

1. What is a piano keyboard?
   • It is the set of black and white keys on a piano or organ.
2. Why are black keys grouped in twos and threes?
   • To help musicians identify notes easily.
3. What is a semitone?
   • It is the smallest distance between two keys.
4. What is a tone?
   • A whole step consisting of two semitones.
5. What is the white key to the left of two black keys?
   • It is C.
6. Why do some white keys not have black keys between them?
   • Because of the natural structure of musical notes.
7. Which white keys have no black keys between them?
   • E and F, B and C.
8. What is the highest pitch direction on the keyboard?
   • Moving from left to right.
9. Which direction do notes become lower in pitch?
   • Moving from right to left.
10. Can we play all songs using only white keys?

• Some songs, but most require black keys too.

Teacher’s Activities

• Explains the layout of the keyboard.
• Demonstrates tones and semitones.
• Engages students in identifying notes.

Learners’ Activities

• Observe and identify keys.
• Participate in class discussions.
• Answer evaluation questions.

Evaluation Questions (Short Answer)

1. What is a keyboard?
2. Name the seven white keys on the keyboard.
3. Define a semitone.
4. Define a tone.
5. What is the pattern of black keys on a keyboard?
6. Give two examples of semitone distances.
7. Which keys have no black keys between them?
8. What happens when you move right on a keyboard?
9. What happens when you move left on a keyboard?
10. What is the black key between C and D called?

Conclusion

The teacher goes around, marks students’ work, and provides feedback.