Creating and Performing Melodic Contour

Learning Resource Type

Classroom Resource

Subject Area

Arts Education

Grade(s)

1

Overview

Students will trace a melodic contour with their finger as they sing the high and low sounds. Students will create their own melodic shape using yarn and perform the composition for the class. A video demonstration is provided. 

Arts Education (2017) Grade(s): 1 - Music

AE17.MU.1.1

Create musical ideas for a specific purpose.

UP:AE17.MU.1.1

Vocabulary

Rhythm
  • Quarter note, quarter rest, paired eighth notes
  • Strong/ weak beat
  • Steady beat/ rhythm
  • Allegro/ adagio
Melody
  • Pitch set: Mi, So, La
  • Steps/ skips/ repeated notes
  • Melodic direction
  • Modified staff
  • Line notes and space notes
Harmony/texture
  • Rhythmic ostinati
  • Simple bordun
Form
  • AB, ABA
Expression
  • Legato, staccato
  • Piano (p), forte (f)
  • Classroom instrument classifications
  • Clarinet, trombone, cello, drum
  • Orchestral music: ballet
  • Non-Western music celebrations
Other
  • Proper singing posture
  • Age-appropriate pitch matching (C4 -C5)1
  • Mallet/ drumming technique — hands together

Essential Questions

EU: The creative ideas, concepts, and feelings that influence musicians' work emerge from a variety of sources.
EQ: How do musicians generate creative ideas?

Skills Examples

Performing
  • Perform original rhythmic compositions containing quarter note, quarter rest, paired eighth notes.
  • Perform original melodic compositions containing quarter note, quarter rest, paired eighth notes and using the pitches mi/so/la.
Creating
  • Improvise 4-beat melodic phrases containing mi/so/la, both vocally and on pitched percussion instruments.
  • Construct 4-beat rhythmic patterns using manipulatives, such as note cards, popsicle sticks, or blocks.
Reading/ Writing
  • Read 4-beat melodic phrases on a modified staff on which mi is indicated.
  • Notate from dictation 4-beat rhythm phrases using manipulatives such as note cards, popsicle sticks, or blocks.
  • Identify melodic patterns on a modified staff when played on a pitched instrument.
Responding/ Evaluating
  • Create rubric for evaluation of peer compositions.
  • With guidance, apply peer suggestions to personal compositions. Select an original composition for performance.

Anchor Standards

Anchor Standard 1: Generate and conceptualize artistic ideas and work.

CR Resource Type

Learning Activity

Resource Provider

Carnegie Hall

License Type

Attribution Non-Commercial Share Alike
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