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Lesson 5

Musician II - Master your instrument!

1
talk about music
whole class
2
talk about music
whole class
3
discover musical instruments
independently

Preparation

Print materials (for the entire series):

Additional materials:

  • Tablets/ PC / VR headsets + headphones
  • M4 sheet

Activity 1

talk about music
Class group
10 min.

Task:

One person makes a sound with their body or voice. The rest of the class tries to imitate this sound as accurately as possible. The aim is to make it sound as if the same person is repeating the sound. A new person is then chosen to make a different sound.

Task:

Afterwards, work together to answer the following questions:

  • What did you have to consider when imitating the sounds in order to repeat them accurately?
  • What are the similarities between this game and a real orchestra?
  • What are the differences between the game and a real orchestra?
Proposed solutions

What did you have to bear in mind when imitating the sounds in order to repeat them exactly?

  • We had to listen carefully and concentrate on the volume, sound and rhythm.
  • It was important to get the timing right in order to be synchronised.
  • We also had to listen to each other to get the same result.

What are the similarities between this game and a real orchestra?

  • In an orchestra, all the musicians have to listen to each other and follow the conductor in order to play at the right moment.
  • Each musician has to pay attention to the sound of the others so that the piece sounds harmonious.
  • The orchestra is also about precision and synchronisation.

What are the differences between the game and a real orchestra?

  • In an orchestra, each musician plays a different instrument and the sounds are different, whereas here we repeat the same sound.
  • In an orchestra, there is a conductor who dictates the entries and tempo, whereas here we have decided independently.
  • In an orchestra, there are notes that specify exactly what should be played and when, whereas here we were able to make something up.

Activity 2

talk about music
Class group
10 min.

Now we will concentrate on the different instruments and their sound.

Task:

Choice of instrument: Look at the picture of the orchestra. Choose an instrument that you would like to play. Which of the four instrument families does your instrument belong to? Strings, woodwind, brass or percussion?

Task:

Listen to your instrument: Now let's test how well you know your instrument family. The teacher plays the piece of music ‘Rondo alla Turca’ by Mozart and you move around the room:

When you hear your instrument family, you start walking, when they stop playing, you stand still.

At the beginning of the piece, the instrument families are announced once so that you can memorise the sound of your instrument family. The triangle indicates the changes.

Instrument families with announcement (at the beginning)A12

The exercise can be repeated again - this time without an announcement and without a triangle:

Instrument families without announcementA13
Solutions
  1. String instruments
  2. Woodwind instruments
  3. Percussion instruments (with piano)
  4. String instruments
  5. Brass instruments
  6. Percussion instruments
  7. Woodwind instruments
  8. String instruments
  9. Woodwind instruments

-> everything is repeated

Activity 3

Instrument knowledge
Individual work
25 min.
Tablets/ PCs + headphones
M4 Printout

Each student receives an M4 printout for his/her instrument group.

Now you will get to know your instrument group even better.

Task:

Go to the link and scroll to your instrument group. Use the information to solve the crossword puzzle for your instrument group.

Solutions brass instruments
Solutions woodwind instruments
Solutions string instruments
Solutions percussion instruments

If there is still time...

... small groups are formed, each with one person who has worked with the string instruments, woodwind instruments, brass instruments and percussion instruments.

Task:

Tell your group members at least 3 things you have learnt about your instrument group.

Skills learned in this lesson:

The pupils...

... develop their auditory perception by precisely imitating sounds and focusing on sound details.
... familiarise themselves with the instrument families of an orchestra and differentiate between their sounds in the piece of music ‘Rondo alla Turca’.
... become experts for a group of instruments.