8 th Grade Concert Band Learning Log Quarter 1

Size: px

Start display at page:

Download "8 th Grade Concert Band Learning Log Quarter 1"

Michael Shields
5 years ago
Views:

1 8 th Grade Concert Band Learning Log Quarter 1 SVJHS Sabercat Bands Table of Contents 1) Lessons & Resources 2) Vocabulary 3) Staff Paper 4) Worksheets 5) Self-Assessments

2 Rhythm Tree The Rhythm Tree is used to demonstrate how notes divide in half to make faster rhythmic values. Yes, these diagrams could continue on past sixteenth notes, but you will not have a need for smaller subdivisions for many years, if ever. J Lessons & Resources - 1

3 Understanding and Counting Sixteenths Single sixteenths = ¼ a beat Straight sixteenths are counted: 1 e + a, 2 e + a, 3 e + a, 4 e + a Counting Dotted Eighth Sixteenths Lessons & Resources - 2

Intervals Half Step and Whole Steps An interval is the distance between notes. A piano is the best way to visual this concept. The smallest distance (or interval) is called a half step.

4 Intervals Half Step and Whole Steps An interval is the distance between notes. A piano is the best way to visual this concept. The smallest distance (or interval) is called a half step. Half steps touch each other and are indicated with an H. Two half steps together are called a whole step (because a half + a half = a whole). A whole step is indicated using a W. Look at the example below of half steps and whole steps. C D E F G A B C D E F G Lessons & Resources - 3

5 Pyramid of Sound This image is used to show ideal balance in a performing ensemble. The wider sections of the pyramid equal louder sound and the smaller sections represent quieter sound. Listening for balance within a group is a game of proportions. Where is percussion, you ask? At the tippy top of the point most of the time, but it depends on the specific instrument you are playing at the time. Lessons & Resources - 4

6 Order of Sharps and Flats Sharps ( # ) F C G D A E B Flats ( b ) B E A D G C F The order of sharps and flats are INVERSE of each other. Note that there is ONLY one order. So, you add each sharp or flat sequentially (from left to right), according to the order listed above. Lessons & Resources - 5

7 Intonation: Intonation is the correctness of pitch when playing your instrument. Musical sounds have steady and specific frequencies measured using Hertz numbers (abbreviated "Hz"). For example, concert "A" in the treble clef staff produces a sound that vibrates at 440 cycles per second, or 440 Hz. An octave occurs when the higher of two notes has a hertz number double that of the lower note. High "A" above the treble staff vibrates at 880 Hz. An octave is divided into twelve pitches that are roughly the same Hz distance apart from one another. This makes a chromatic scale! How Do Electronic Tuners Work? An electronic tuner measures Hz frequencies and shows you how close you are to the correct frequency for a given note. By working with a tuner you learn the intonation tendencies of notes your instrument which ones are consistently sharp, flat or in tune. But remember, only your ears can tell you whether or not your note exactly matches the ones played by other band members. Playing In Tune: Playing in tune is a skill. When trying to play in tune, the most important thing is the good, characteristic quality of sound you produce. It s hard to play in tune with a bad sound. You must also have a quality instrument, good equipment, a proper embouchure and good breath support. Listening to one another is the key to good ensemble intonation. It is a compromise and everyone has to adjust. By listening to others rather than focusing on yourself, many intonation issues take care of themselves. When playing in band, be aware of beats in your ear when playing notes with others. That's a sign that the notes are not in tune with each other. The slower the beats, the closer the two pitches are to being in tune. The faster the beats, the more out of tune they are with each other. If you hear these beats you have to decide whether you might be sharp or flat and adjust (make your pitch lower or higher) toward the way you think is right. If the beats slow down, you adjusted correctly and are closer to being in tune. If the beats speed up adjust in the other direction. You can't make a mistake when adjusting, the only real mistake is to make no adjustment at all! Lessons & Resources - 6

8 Simple Time Signatures Simple time signatures mean that the beat can be subdivided into divisions of 2. When the quarter note is the beat, which is most typical for us, then the time signature is considered "simple," because the quarter note is broken down into eighth notes (and then again down into sixteenth notes). In cut time, where the half note gets the beat, it still subdivides into divisions of 2, so it, too, is "simple." Examples of simple time signatures Compound Time Signatures Compound time signatures mean that the beat can be subdivided into divisions of 3. The beat is generally a dotted quarter note (or the equivalent of 3 eighth notes). The TOP NUMBER of a compound time signature tells you how many COUNTS are in the bar, which is different than the number of BEATS in the bar. Counts Beats In the above example, there are 6 eighth notes per bar (or 6 counts per bar). The beat is the dotted quarter note, and There are 2 dotted quarter notes (or beats) per bar. Examples of compound time signatures Lessons & Resources - 7

Plainfield Music Department Middle School Instrumental Band Curriculum

Plainfield Music Department Middle School Instrumental Band Curriculum Course Description First Year Band This is a beginning performance-based group that includes all first year instrumentalists. This