Amy Yaremczak

Project #4

Microcomputers in Music Education

High School Music Theory

Objective:

• Students will practice dictation and ear training while other students are composing. Due to lack of computers in our music room, it is necessary to keep the students occupied when they are not composing.
• The students will practice ear training, interval identification, and dictation. Students can also practice identifying whether pitches are sharp or flat.

Purpose:

∑ A method for occupying students while the rest of the class is composing.

∑ The students can practice doing the dictation and interval identification, while they wait for the other computers to free up.

∑ Dictation is part of our daily practice in music theory, and can be incorporated in via the computer thus freeing up the teacher to work individually with the students composing.

∑ The software on their interval singing, scale singing, as well as interval identification can also critique students.

• The computer can be an accurate ear for the students and will give them additional practice in dictation or any areas that they find difficult.

Materials Needed:

∑ Computer work station for composing.

∑ Computer attached to an overhead projector that can project the dictation software.

∑ A computer microphone.

∑ Aurelia Software by Sibelius.

Anticipatory Set:

• Warm up the studentsπ ears, by having all of the students begin class by identifying intervals played by the teacher on the keyboard.
• Go over as a class the songs that contain the intervals, and write them on the board. (ex. NBC, Over the Rainbow, etc.)
• Have the students practice identifying basic intervals, scales, and dictation.

Procedure:

∑ Start the students on their harmonization project, by explaining the requirements of the project.

∑ Split the class into 2 groups, the group that will work on their composition project, and the group that will practice dictation on Aurelia.

∑ Halfway through the class, the groups should switch places, thus giving everyone in the class practice with dictation, as well as time to compose.

Check for Student Understanding:

∑ Before the end of the class, students should wrap up what they are doing, and regroup.

∑ To check for student understanding, go around the class, and have the students identify where they felt their weakest places were with the dictation software.

∑ Have student then end the class by identifying intervals that are played on the keyboard.

Closure:

• To end the class, review with students how dictation can be used to help them transfer the melodies that are in their head to paper. Have them practice writing out simple melodies such as ≥Happy Birthday,≤ without using an instrument.

Extensions:

• Other learning activities that can incorporate the software, would be an aural test that would accompany their written tests.
• Using the music software for music baseball.
• Using the music software for practice before the lesson several times a week.
• Moving onto higher levels in the music software, to progressing on ear training.