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Music - Grade 7 & 8

Learning Goal:

We are learning to use the elements of music to create, analyse and explore a variety of music pieces from different contexts.

Elements of Music for Grade 7 & 8

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Duration (Grade 7 & 8)

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Pitch (Grade 7)

· Keys encountered in the repertoire they play and/or sing

Pitch (Grade 8)

· Major and Minor tonality

· keys encountered in the repertoire

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Dynamics & Other Expressive Controls (Grade 7)

· Articulation and expression marks encountered in the repertoire (ex. marcato, maestoso)

Dynamics & Other Expressive Controls (Grade 8)

· All intensity levels

· Changes in levels

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Timbre (Grade 7)

· Tone colour of complex ensembles (ex. Jazz, Gamelan, Choral, Orchestral

Timbre (Grade 8)

· Tone colours of world music ensembles and instruments (ex. Gamelan, Shakuhachi, Doumbek, Sitar, Djembe, Ocarina)

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Texture/Harmony (Grade 7)

· Major and minor triads

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Texture/Harmony (Grade 8)

· Monophonic, Homophonic and Polyphonic music

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Form (Grade 7)

· 12-bar blues

Form (Grade 8)

· Forms encountered in performance repertoire (ex. minuet)

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Grade 7 Music Activities

Expectation PromptSing and/or play, in tune, from musical notation, unison music and music in two or more parts from diverse cultures, styles and historical periods.

How long are the phrases in this example? What will you need to do to bring out phasing?

Expectation PromptApply the elements of music when singing and/or playing, composing and arranging music, using them for specific effects and clear purposes.

In your chant, how did you communicate your message through the elements of music? How will changing the tempo affect the mood of the piece?

C1. Creating and Presenting

Expectation PromptCreate musical compositions in a variety of forms for specific purposes and audiences.

What instrumental sounds might you use to represent the colours in the painting? Why?

Expectation PromptUse tools and techniques of musicianship in musical performances.

What do we know about the conventions for performing a march that can help us determine how best to play this piece?

Expectation PromptDemonstrate an understanding of standard and other musical notation through performance and composition.

Why is it important to know how the major scale is constructed when reading and writing music? How are contemporary Canadian Aboriginal musicians ensuring that their oral traditions are being preserved?

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Grade 8 Music Activities

Expectation PromptSing and/or play, in tune, music in unison and in two or more parts from a variety of cultures, styles and historical periods.

How can you interpret the expressive markings in music when you perform? When composing, how can you indicate with musical symbols how the performer is to perform the composition?

Expectation PromptApply the elements of music through performing, composing and arranging music for a specific effect or clear purpose.

How did the elements for your jingle help sell the product? What did you need to take into consideration when arranging the piece for your quartet?

C1. Creating and Presenting

Expectation PromptCreate musical compositions in a variety of forms for specific purposes and audiences.

Explain how the rhythm and melody of your song communicate your intended message. What does a composer have to consider when writing music for computer games?

Expectation PromptUse tools and techniques of musicianship in musical performances.

What are the functions of your right and left hands when conducting? How can you communicate dynamics, articulation, phrasing and tempo through gestures?

Expectation PromptDemonstrate an understanding of standard and other musical notation through performance and composition.

How many bars of music will you actually sing or play in this piece if you follow the repeats indicated by the composer? What are all of the different dynamic and tempo markings in this piece?

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Grade 7 Music Activities

Expectation PromptExpress analytical, personal responses to musical performances in a variety of ways.

Art works by visual artist Viktor Hartmann inspired Modest Mussorgsky to compose "Pictures at an Exhibition". Having listened to this piece, how would your musical interpretation of the art be different from Mussorgsky's?

Expectation PromptAnalyse, using musical terminology, ways in which the elements are used in the music performed, listen to, and created.

How does the addition of rhythm and melody affect the nature of the lyrics in popular music?

C2. Reflecting, Responding & Analysing

Expectation PromptIdentify and give examples of strengths and areas for improvement as composers, musical performers, interpreters and audience members.

Write a resume highlighting your achievements as a musician. What careers related to music would best suit your interests and areas of strength?

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Grade 8 Music Activities

Expectation PromptExpress analytical, personal responses to musical performances in a variety of ways.

Art works by visual artist Viktor Hartmann inspired Modest Mussorgsky to compose "Pictures at an Exhibition". Having listened to this piece, how would your musical interpretation of the art be different from Mussorgsky's?

Expectation PromptAnalyse, using musical terminology, ways in which the elements are used in the music performed, listen to, and created.

What are the differences between absolute and program music? How did the composer use such musical elements as timbre, form and dynamics to suggest certain images?

C2. Reflecting, Responding & Analysing

Expectation PromptIdentify and give examples of strengths and areas for improvement as composers, musical performers, interpreters and audience members.

Having followed your music as you listen to your performance, what are your strengths and next steps as a performer? About what area of music do you feel most confident? What area do you want to pursue in the future?

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Grade 7 Music Activities

Expectation PromptAnalyse the influences of music and the media on the development of personal and cultural identity.

What is the influence of music in your family life, school life and social life? What do you admire about the musical artists who are key influences in your life? How does music connect us, divide us or call us to action?

C3. Exploring Forms and Cultural Contexts

Expectation PromptAnalyse some historical, cultural and technological influences on style, genre and innovation in music.

How did the development of the piano and other musical instruments affect composers, performers and audiences?

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Grade 8 Music Activities

Expectation PromptAnalyse some of the social, political and economic factors that affect the creation of music.

What factors might influence someone to compose this type of music? Do composers have a target audience in mind when composing music? How does nationalistic music influence the listener?

C3. Exploring Forms and Cultural Contexts

Expectation PromptCompare and contrast music from the past and present.

What are the key characteristics that distinguish folk music from popular commercial music? Are there any similarities? How has the role of music in our lives changed?