Do all chords sound the same? This is a question the 4th graders have been grappling with this week in music. They quickly discovered that some chords can sound and FEEL very different. Yes, chords are usually built by pitches that are skips apart, but if you tweek one or two notes, the quality of a chord can change instantly! As we compared major and minor chords, the kids use many different words to describe what they heard and what they felt. For example, Major chords sounded "happy, bright, lively, energetic," etc. Minor chords felt, "dark, intense, wanting, sad," etc.
We also listened to several songs from pop culture. Many of the videos are found in the "More" tab of this website. Then click "major/minor". Have your child talk to you about the sound and feel of each major/minor video! Our discussion included "Why might the song writer have chosen to utilize mostly minor chords in their song?" or "Why did they choose this particular song in minor for their commercial?" Answers mainly centered around the fact that the song writers/producers were going for a certain emotion or feel. I've been loving the enthusiasm from your kids throughout this discussion! I can tell they love learning about the many elements in music, and it makes me sooo happy and proud to support their musical learning!
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This unit has been so fun! The kids have enjoyed learning each instrument, and choosing an instrument to work more in-depth on! The musical dimensions that must be focused on for this experience are playing with a sense of ensemble and simultaneity. Simultaneity refers to how well the students are able to simultaneously fit the different parts together. And the sense of ensemble refers to the students' responsibility to recognize their part within the context of the whole group. They must respect each part, which is difficult if the student only focuses on their own part. This higher level of thinking within the musical experience is such a testament of the learning that has taken place within all of these 4th grade classes! It's more than just strumming a uke, or hitting a note on the recorder, it's being a part of something much bigger than just an individual part. The students have really worked as a team to create something so wonderful! Can you tell I am proud of their hard work, and the results of their hard work?!
Each class listened to the original recorder of "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" by The Tokens released in 1961. After listening to the original, the students were able to think how we, as a full class, might make our own arrangement of the song with ukuleles, recorders, xylophones, and voices. They decided how to begin the introduction, which verses and sections they wanted to include, the order of the sections (or the form/structure), and which instruments to include at which times (texture). Each classes arrangement is a bit different. We are still practicing this week, and will post our recordings next week!
The students have tried each instrument that will be used for a full class ensemble of the song "In the Jungle". The instruments included ukes, xylophones, and recorders. Now, they will have a couple of class periods to decide which instrument they prefer, and to further spend more time practicing that particular part. Here are some pics of them practicing! And next week, we will work as a class to decide on how we will arrange the piece for a performance! We are thinking like real composers and arrangers!
We haven't played the recorders since 3rd grade, but I've been impressed with how quickly the students are reviewing and remembering what we learned last year! In 3rd grade, we focused on three notes, B, A, and G, which are all played with using the fingers of the left hand, which happens to be the top hand on the recorder. This year, however, we are challenging ourselves with new notes, including notes that utilize both hands! The biggest challenge on the recorder for most students is accurately and precisely covering each hole completely. Many times, the students may think they are covering the hole, but even the slightest air hole can cause squeaking or wrong sounding notes. This year, we are beginning the recorder by learning melodies found in the song "In the Jungle." As mentioned in previous posts, we will ultimately put together an entire ensemble with ukuleles, recorders, and xylophones. The students are trying each part, and will eventually decide which part they want to play for the ensemble. Here are some recordings of us playing the recorders for "In the Jungle!"
Below, pics from playing recorder, and a couple pics from xylophones, too!
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