Course Description

2014-2015

Music In Our Lives is an entry level music course for those interested in actively participating in and creating music. Throughout the course students will develop skills to describe and analyze what they hear and learn about different instruments. Students will learn basic technique on drums, acoustic guitar, and electric keyboard while learning traditional music notation. Depending on time available, a music technology component will be introduced. By the end of the course, the student should feel confident to learn other, more difficult music on his/her own.

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  To discover and nurture musical skills in preparation for a lifetime of musical participation
  
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  To develop hands-on knowledge of Western and world instruments with particular focus on developing introductory level skills on drums, guitar, and piano
  
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  To explore the science of sound and its relationship to the sound created by instruments
  
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  To learn to interpret traditional music notation for each instrument studied
  

Students will be loaned instruments for use during this course. Students are responsible for proper care of the instrument, as demonstrated in class. Abuse of instruments or other materials other than normal wear and tear may result in students being charged for repair or replacement of these instruments. Students can sign out instruments for home practice, taking responsibility for the care of that instrument. Instruments must be returned the next day to be used in class.

Student achievement will be measured through assignments, quizzes and tests, as well as performance tests on drums, acoustic guitar, and keyboard.

I am looking forward to a positive and productive year. Please feel free to contact me at any time with questions or concerns.

LNATALIE@RHINEBECKCSD.ORG

845-871-5500 x5539

Quarter 1:

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  Basic music knowledge
  

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  Categories of instruments; how to identify them
  
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    Students will be assigned a category of instruments to research and present to the class
    
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      Chordophones: String; bowed
      
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      Chordophones: String; struck, or plucked
      
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      Aerophones: Wind; woodwind
      
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      Aerophones: Wind; brass
      
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      Membranophones and Idiophones: Percussion; tuned and untuned
      
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  Basic music notation
  

Keyboard Skills

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  Learn how to set-up and break down the keyboard, handle the instrument properly
  
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  Play using correct hand position, body position
  
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  Using Alfred’s Basic Adult Piano All-In-One Level One book, students will begin to learn the notes on the keyboard/notes on the staff
  
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  Students will identify music they wish to learn, set a goal
  
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  Perform assignments aloud for class
  
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  LKR: chord structure, using chords to comp and improvise
  
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  Use of music technology (Finale, Garageband, or online music theory) approx. 1x per week
  
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  During library days, students will find article on music and present the next day in class
  

Quarter 2:

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  Basic guitar care
  
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  Hand position/posture
  
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  Guitar finger exercises
  
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  Guitar chords, transitioning between chords
  
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  Students will identify music they wish to learn, set a goal
  
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  Perform assignments aloud for class
  
• 
  LKR: chord structure, using chords to comp and improvise
  
• 
  Use of music technology (Finale, Garageband, or online music theory) approx. 1x per week
  
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  During library days, students will find article on music and present the next day in class
  

Quarter 3:

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  Drum kit setup and care
  
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  Body position, holding sticks
  
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  Basic rudiments (single stroke, multiple stroke rolls, flams, paradiddles, etc)
  
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  Basic drum kit patterns using snare, bass, high hat or other cymbal
  
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  Students will identify music they wish to learn, set a goal
  
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  Perform assignments aloud for class
  
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  LKR: playing with recordings
  
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  Use of music technology (Finale, Garageband, or online music theory) approx. 1x per week
  
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  During library days, students will find article on music and present the next day in class
  

Quarter 4: (depending on interests expressed by students)

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  Option 1: basic ukulele skills
  
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  Option 2: in-depth garageband: use iGuitars to write music
  
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  Option 3: each student picks a band instrument (flute, clarinet, trumpet, etc.) to form a small band
  
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  Option 4: each student picks their favorite instrument (guitar, keyboard, or drums) and goes further in their study of that instrument