It is very important to establish communication between the teacher, students and parents during the first weeks of school.
Lesson 001
An online form will be available for parents to complete on this site when the student roster is set at the beginning of the school year.
Objectives:
*To complete selection of students interested in the music technology program and obtain information from students.
*To introduce music technology program to parents and students.
*To familiarize students with procedures and equipment used in the music technology classes.
*To begin musical pre-testing of students' music theory knowledge and aural skills.
*To begin working in Alfred Piano Lesson Books.
Materials:
Music Technology Handbook, piano keyboards, Win 98 computers, sequencer or tone generator and MIDI disks, Alfred Basic Piano Method Level 1A, Music Ace 1, and all cables, adapters and headphones associated with electronic equipment. Student pre-testing forms, folders, notebooks, pencils, etc.
Procedures:
(1) Complete selection of students recommended by each homeroom teacher in the 2nd - 5th grades. Handout forms (Music Technology Handbook) to new students. Obtain information on each student (name, address, phone, parents, etc.). Each student / parent must sign the Music Technology Handbook form on the back of the handbook. If a VCR and TV are available, show 'Introduction to Computers in Music' video by Ray Dretske (22 min.) to students as an introduction to Music Technology. Explain Music Tech Handbook carefully.
(2) Familiarize students with operating the (Casio CTK501 - bought in 1997) keyboards and explain the keyboard lab rules posted on the wall. Explain the definitions of MIDI, General MIDI, keyboard, composition, and controllers to students. Bring a wind or percussion controller to demonstrate to students. Brief definitions of these terms are on the Music Tech Terms page. Another great source for viewing controllers is the CD produced by Alternate Mode (KAT Percussion products). The free CD includes many great videos of famous percussionists performing on the percussion controllers. The files on the CD are available for free on their website, but the file sizes (Quick Time) are extremely large. The CD is also a great resource for teachers who do not have access to controllers.
(3) Begin teaching new students from the Alfred Basic Piano Library Book 1A , Lesson 1, pp. 3-8. More advanced students may work on different pages.
Student Goals: Understanding good posture at the keyboard; learning finger numbers; loud and soft tones, listening, finger position; identify 2 black key groups, high and low notes; identify 3 black key groups.
Evaluation:
Students will be able to identify keyboard lab rules and handbook procedures.
Students will be able to operate the keyboard in the correct manner.
Students will be able to complete all exercises on pages 3-8 of the Alfred Piano Lesson 1A.
Students will identify correct finger numbers, high and low, loud and soft notes on the keyboard, and 2 or 3 key black note groups on the keyboard.
Students will show some understanding of the definition of MIDI and composition, along with identifying various controllers.
Extra Activities:
Students may choose a quiz to try on Music Tech Teacher Quizzes and Games. The 'Concentration' Games might be easy for young music students to begin. 'Identify the Instruments' is also an easy quiz for students who may be familiar with instrument families.
