Grades: 9th and up
Subject: Music/ harmonica
Objectives: Students will learn how to play harmonica, think critically, peer edit, and perform in front of a class
Standards: NYSED Standard 3: Responding to and Analyzing Works of Art
Students will demonstrate the capacity to listen to and comment on music. They will relate their
critical assertions about music to its aesthetic, structural, acoustic, and psychological qualities.
Students will use concepts based on the structure of music’s content and context to relate
music to other broad areas of knowledge. They will use concepts from other disciplines to
enhance their understanding of music.
http://www.nysed.gov/
Materials: Computer with internet access, a Diatonic Harmonica, and for students without internet, weekly trips will be made to the library.
Procedures: Show students how to set up blogs. Then, in class, explain the differences between a Diatonic and Chromatic Harmonica. Explaining the scale, and several blocking methods (“U”, Tonguing, and Puckering). Show hand positions and explain the vocabulary as it with be a major part of their homework and final exam.
Every week the students will be given web links such as, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=44gMDgpMNVY . They will be asked to define the vocabulary for that week and give examples of it with their web links.
Example: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=44gMDgpMNVY
What blocking technique is he using? Tonguing- blowing into three holes, but using your tongue to cover two of them, thus creates a single note.
How do you know this is his method? The position of his head and movement down the harp.
At the end, a quiz will be given asking students to identify and explain the vocabulary, selecting images and explaining them, and finally a two minute presentation to the class.
Rubric:
Weekly assigned work: 20pts. Every assignment is handed in on time. Answers are correct and precise.
In Class: 20pts. Student is well behaved, on time with all materials, offers constructive criticism, and is able to discuss the homework in a coherent manor.
Blogs: 20pts. Grammar and spelling rules apply. Blog is coherent and aesthetically pleasing as well as properly maintained. Also, students are expected to comment on their classmates blogs.
Quiz: 20pts: Answers are all correct.
Presentation: 20pts: Play for two minutes in front of the class with an originally created work. Written music must be presented to the teacher.
Subject: Music/ harmonica
Objectives: Students will learn how to play harmonica, think critically, peer edit, and perform in front of a class
Standards: NYSED Standard 3: Responding to and Analyzing Works of Art
Students will demonstrate the capacity to listen to and comment on music. They will relate their
critical assertions about music to its aesthetic, structural, acoustic, and psychological qualities.
Students will use concepts based on the structure of music’s content and context to relate
music to other broad areas of knowledge. They will use concepts from other disciplines to
enhance their understanding of music.
http://www.nysed.gov/
Materials: Computer with internet access, a Diatonic Harmonica, and for students without internet, weekly trips will be made to the library.
Procedures: Show students how to set up blogs. Then, in class, explain the differences between a Diatonic and Chromatic Harmonica. Explaining the scale, and several blocking methods (“U”, Tonguing, and Puckering). Show hand positions and explain the vocabulary as it with be a major part of their homework and final exam.
Every week the students will be given web links such as, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=44gMDgpMNVY . They will be asked to define the vocabulary for that week and give examples of it with their web links.
Example: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=44gMDgpMNVY
What blocking technique is he using? Tonguing- blowing into three holes, but using your tongue to cover two of them, thus creates a single note.
How do you know this is his method? The position of his head and movement down the harp.
At the end, a quiz will be given asking students to identify and explain the vocabulary, selecting images and explaining them, and finally a two minute presentation to the class.
Rubric:
Weekly assigned work: 20pts. Every assignment is handed in on time. Answers are correct and precise.
In Class: 20pts. Student is well behaved, on time with all materials, offers constructive criticism, and is able to discuss the homework in a coherent manor.
Blogs: 20pts. Grammar and spelling rules apply. Blog is coherent and aesthetically pleasing as well as properly maintained. Also, students are expected to comment on their classmates blogs.
Quiz: 20pts: Answers are all correct.
Presentation: 20pts: Play for two minutes in front of the class with an originally created work. Written music must be presented to the teacher.
For anyone who thinks the Harp is for old fat hicks:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Or3d6uwxvqs
Great blog Dan!You have detail and cites to support it. It is organized and seems like an effective way to teach music. I like that you explained the different ways of blowing into the harmonica. I like the video too :]
ReplyDeleteI used to play the flute back in Junior High School, I was horrible at it, with that said this was a very good lesson plan, you even included videos.
ReplyDeleteOh, a music thing! That's such a good idea. I'd never have thought to put music on a blog. I'm actually kind of confused about how the blogs factor in as such - I mean, so they blog about the links they've watched, then? Oh! So they answer the questions in the blogs, about what the people in the vids are doing and how they can tell?
ReplyDeleteI do kind of wonder about your rubric - how does one scale down as they get stuff wrong? - but it's a good foundation.
It's a really good idea to have them write their own music, too - that'll really get them involved and inventing. Plus, wow. Harmonica. Who knew.
This is a great idea for a lesson, however I don't see any accommodations for students of different abilities. also I am a little confused as to what exactly will be in the blog, are they using the web links as a source of information to write about in their blogs?
ReplyDeleteThis is an interesting lesson plan. The harmonica doesn't get much attention in music classes, at least in the schools I went to. You seem very knowledgeable on the topic so that is great. Having the video is a good idea especially since there might be a student who has never heard or seen a harmonica.I like the vocabulary of the week and the video of the week it keeps things different and interesting. :o)
ReplyDeleteWow great presentation . I learned a lot about the harmonica. The rubric is really easy to follow. I think the layout with the image is a little off but I like the use of the image and the links could be better set up. Is there no scale test or anything similar for harmonica? What about uploading the music that they mak up onto their blogs.
ReplyDeleteOkay, never mind the "how do blogs factor in" bit. You're explaining it to the professor right now, and I get it.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting blog lesson. I did not know that there were so many techniques involved in playing the harmonica. how much do harmonicas cost?
ReplyDeleteto J.K.O, I recently got one in Auburn. My new C not was $14 with tax. very cheap and fun.
ReplyDeleteVery creative lesson plan! That's a really good way of using the blogs by having them evaluate materials online.
ReplyDelete