Introduction

Task

Process

Worksheets

Resources

Evaluation

Conclusion

MORE MUSIC THEORY ACTIVITIES 

Introduction

True musicians are always "works in progress", seeking information and skills beyond their current level and ability. It is so exciting that YOU are following in the musician's "quest for excellence" by taking on this challenge.

In this web quest we are going to start with the very easiest musical terms and symbols, like the lines and spaces that music is written on (the STAFF) and move on through the basics of music theory (the mechanics of music) to acquire the basic skills needed to become a composer. This activity meets and exceeds the requirements for standard #4 of the National Music Standards of Learning for middle school music students.

 

Task

After going through lessons 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 of these activities, you will be able to demonstrate an understanding of basic rhythm, notation and music symbols by composing your own short piece of music. Further exploration into this music theory program will provide you with the basic skills necessary to write a much more advanced and complex musical masterpiece--but for now let's just start with lessons one through six!

 

Process

As you go through each activity, print and complete the worksheet until you feel comfortable with the material, then print and complete the quiz and check it with the quiz answer sheet provided. Repeat the worksheet activity for that lesson if needed, or move on to the next lesson when you have achieved at least a 90% on your quiz.

After you have completed Lessons 1-6, visit the website listed under resources for free staff paper, and write your own piece of music with the skills you have learned. You can use the piano, or another instrument to help you to write your piece. Complete 36 measures of music, title your piece, and list yourself as the composer. Your hardcopies of the worksheets, quizzes and final piece of music will determine your grade for this project.

WORKSHEETS

 

Resources

Find all worksheets, quizzes and answer sheets at: http://www.musictheory.halifax.ns.ca/index.html

Print free staff paper at: http://www.freestaffpaper.cjb.net/

Down load a free sample of the music writing software finale notepad at http://7-12educators.about.com/education/7-12educators/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?site=http%3A%2F%2Fbandtek.com%2F

 

Evaluation

Go back through your original piece of music and double check for the following details:

Did you draw a clef sign at the beginning of your piece of music?

Did you include a time signature?

How many beats should be in each measure? Double check each measure!!!!

Did you include a key signature?

Are your note stems pointing in the correct direction?

Did you give your song a title, and list yourself as the composer?

Just a reminder: Complete 36 measures of music, title your piece, and list yourself as the composer. Your hardcopies of the worksheets, quizzes and final piece of music will determine your grade for this project.

 

Conclusion

Congratulations! You now know enough about the basics of music theory to write your very own piece of music! Apply what you have learned about the mechanics of music while you sit in your Band or Chorus rehearsal, while playing your own instrument, when you listen to your favorite CDs, and of course when you write more of your very own compositions!

You can continue to explore music theory by continuing on through lessons 7-26 which are listed below under MORE MUSIC THEORY ACTIVITIES.

Special thanks Gary Ewer for his outstanding Music Theory Website.

©1999-2000, Gary Ewer, B.Mus Any teacher or student of music may reproduce these pages in print, without electronic reformatting, provided that each lesson or other resource copied from the EMT site has this copyright notice attached.The material may not be placed on any other server.

 

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MORE MUSIC THEORY ACTIVITIES  

 

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