Using Classical Music To Teach Beat, Meter And Form

Using Classical MusicTo TeachBeat, Meter and FormJohn M. FeierabendThe Hartt SchoolUniversity of Hartford&Feierabend Association for Music Educationwww.feierabendmusic.org

Beat Movement IdeasPreschool through Early ElementaryThree to seven year olds should begin experiencing on the First Steps in ClassicalMusic: Keeping the Beat CD with the activities suggested for toddlers. Whenthey are successful maintaining beat motions when the beat is grouped in twos(duple meter) and threes (triple meter), try the following:When music is in duple meter tap two times on one leg and chant “here” andthen tap two times on the other leg and chant “there”. Continue alternatingbetween “here” and “there”. When the music is in triple meter chant “here” forevery three taps and “there” for every three taps. When the children are ableto maintain the beat and alternate between “here” and “there” stop chanting thewords.Try tapping on the following parts of the body with both hands tapping in onelocation (“here”) and then both hands tapping in a different location (“there”).Later try to alternate between “here” and “there” while you tap two or threetimes with one hand and then two or three times with the other hand.Back of Hand – Forearm – Shoulder – Head – Neck – Cheek – Nose – Elbow –Chest – Tummy – Hip – Bottom – Thigh – Knee – Calf – Foot2

Also try performing the following motions two times “here” and two times“there” when the music is in duple meter, and performing the motions threetimes “here” and three times “there” when the music is in triple meter.1)Flap both hands to one side then the other2)Flap one hand and then the other3)Shake head “yes” looking to one side then the other4)Knock with both fists on an imaginary door in one place thenanother5)Knock on an imaginary door with one fist and then the other6)Twist to one side and bounce one more time then twist the otherway and bounce one more time7)Shrug one shoulder and then the other8)Point to something with one hand and then the other9)Push out front and push above your head10)Push one hand above your head and then the otherAsk individual children to demonstrate a “here” and “there” and have otherchildren imitate the motions.Distribute rhythm instruments and ask children to discover two different waysto play them. Have children alternate between “here” and “there”.Oh, Dear, What Can the Meter Be? – Play various selections from First Steps inClassical Music: Keeping the Beat CD and randomly have the children discover“here” and “there” by performing motions and ask them to decide if the musicis in duple or triple meter.3

Beat Movement IdeasMiddle through Upper Elementary4

5

6

7

8

9

Teaching Form and ExpressionThrough Movement with Classical MusicExperience wonderful music activities with classical music that enable students toacquire an understanding of each pieces’ form and expression in non- verbal ways.The activities are mostly stationary and appropriate for all ages from age 3 to seniorcitizens.Process:1)2)3)Sample:Use music that has a clearly defined formAnalyze music for formal structure and expressivenessCreate movements that reflect the formal structure and expressivenessand are easy to follow.Brahms, Waltz in AbABA00-27With palm facing out make 4 large circles with the right hand and 4 largecircles with the left hand.28 - 38With palms down both hands make circles, coming together and going out infront.39 - 52Repeat A motionsB53 – 1:02Repeat B motionsA1:02 – 1:25Repeat A motions10

Sylvia - Pizzicato Polka by Léo DelibesMove It! 2Introduction00 – 19With both hands, pretend to wind a giant clock three times.Place palms together and slowly raise hands above head.A20 – 32Leaving one hand straight up, lower the other hand in seven short motions untilstraight out to the side.Continue moving the same hand seven more short motions until hand is straightdown.Continue moving the same hand seven more short motions until hand is crossed infront and is straight out the other side.Continue moving seven more short motions until both hands are straight up.A33 - 44Repeat motions described in section A but with the other hand.Interlude45 – 52With both hands, pretend to wind a giant clock two more times.Place palms together and slowly raise hands over head.B1:05 – 1:17Lift elbows up and let arms hand down.Swing one arm in and out three times and then swing that arm in and around in onecircle.Swing the other arm in and out three times and then swing that arm in and around inone circle.Bv1:18 – 1:29With elbows still lifted:Swing both arms at the same time in and out three times and then swing both armsin and around in one circle.Swing both arms at the same time in and out three times and then swing both armsout and up above head.A1:30 – 1:45Repeat motions described in section A.End with a sudden lowering of hands to frame the face.11

AConcerto in E Major - Johann Sebastian BachMove It!00 – 14Step in one foot and swing both arms forward and up.Step back and swing arms down and back.Continue eight times while slowly rotating in a circle once in place.B15 – 29With arms outstretched, slowly glide and flap wings (like a bird).A30 – 44Repeat motions described in Section AC45 – 59Flutter hands up and down and all around (like a butterfly).A1:00 – 1:13Repeat motions described in Section AD1:14 – 1:28Roll hands quickly one over the other and burst hands open and out.Repeat many times, bursting in many directions (like dandelions).A1:29 – 1:43Repeat motions described in Section AE1:44 – 2:15Flap both arms in parallel movements here and there and everywhere (like flags).A2:16 – 2:35Repeat motions described in Section AThe A section can be performed while holding hands in a circle. Swing arms inand out with the beat. Step in and out with the beat. Begin with the right footand slowly move the circle to the right with each step in. Perform the contrastingsections with individuals moving around the room. Reassemble in a circle as each Asection returns.Note: IMPROVISATION about things that float and fly help illustrates this energeticdance.12

AVAILABLE RESOURCESMusic for Creative Movement 3-CD set .CD-903Books for Preschool and Early ElementaryG-5880 First Steps in Music for Preschool and BeyondG-5276 The Book of Pitch ExplorationG-5277 The Book of Echo SongsG-5278 The Book of Call and ResponseG-5280 The Book of Children’s SongTalesG-5876 The Book of Movement ExplorationG-5877 The Book of Finger Plays and Action SongsG-5878 The Book of Beginning Circle GamesG-5879 The Book of Songs and Rhymes with Beat MotionsRecordings for Kids of All Agesby John M. Feierabend and Jill TrinkaCD-645 There’s A Hole in the BucketCD-646 Had a Little RoosterCD-647 Old Joe ClarkCD-493 First Steps in Classical MusicKeeping the BeatG-7001 Set of all four recordings aboveplus First Steps in Music forPreschool and BeyondG-7001A Complete Curriculum PackageSet of all books and recordings aboveSave over 40 with this offer!Companion MaterialsG-8453 Word WallG-6400 Vocal Development Kit(Puppets, toys, and instruments with manual)G-6509 Pitch Exploration Stories(12 large picture cards)G-6510 Pitch Exploration Pathways(12 large picture cards)G-6511 Oh, In the Woods(12 large picture cards)G-7962 Down by the Bay(10 large picture cards)DVD-875 First Steps in Music;The Lectures (5 DVDs)Move It!DVD-549Move It! 2DVD-756Music DVD, CD, and bookletMusic DVD, CD, and booklet13

Conversational SolfegeLevel 1:G-5380G-5380FLG-5380SCD-526Teacher’s ManualFlashcardsStudent BookClassical Selections CDLevel 2:G-5381G-5381FLG-5381SCD-527Teacher’s ManualFlashcardsStudent BookClassical Selections CDLevel 3:G-5382G-5382STeacher’s ManualStudent BookG-5547The Book of Tunes for BeginningSight-ReadersBooks for Older ChildrenG-5279The Book of Young Adult SongTalesG-5281The Book of CanonsLomax the Hound of MusicDVD-829 The Best of Lomax the Hound of Music (2 Hours)CD-830Lomax the Hound of Music:Favorite Songs (25 Songs)Book of Church Songs and SpiritualsG-7816Spiral Bound and illustratedFolk Song Picture Books (with downloadble MP3)G-6535 The CrabfishG-7178 My Aunt Came BackG-7179 There Was a ManG-7416 Father GrumbleG-7690 The Derby RamG-7844 The Frog and the MouseG-8121 Risseldy RosseldyG-8122 The Tailor and the MouseG-8454 There’s a Hole in the BucketDVD-499 Music and Early Childhood(30-minute documentaryproduced by ConnecticutPublic Television)14

Dr. John Feierabend is considered one of the leading authoritieson music and movement development in early childhood. Heis a Professor of Music and the Director of the Music EducationDivision at The Hartt School of the University of Hartfordand is a past President of the Organization of American KodályEducators. Dr. Feierabend makes frequent presentations both inthe United States and abroad and is the author of over 70 books,CDs, and DVDs.A music educator for over 40 years, he continues to be committedto collecting, preserving, and teaching the diverse folk music ofour country and using that folk music as a bridge to help childrenunderstand and enjoy classical music. His books are a result of his belief that when manygenerations share common experiences such as traditional folk songs and rhymes, it helpsthem develop a valuable but dwindling commodity—a sense of community. When adults sharechildlike memories with children, they not only connect children with their ancestors, but theyalso enrich their children’s childhood and enable their children to someday tap into their owndelicious childhood memories to share that same repertoire with their children.In addition, research has suggested that these traditional activities provide preciselythe tonal, rhythmic, and expressive experiences that are needed to develop one’s musicalsensitivities. Children fortunate enough to have thesesongs and rhymes shared with them willgrow to become adults who will not only be musically sensitive to music in their lives, but willalso be musically able to connect to their children through music play.Dr. Feierabend’s research has resulted in two music curricula: First Steps in Music, a musicand movement program for infants through early elementary aged children, and ConversationalSolfege, a music literacy method for use in general music classes. Lomax: The Hound of Music isa public television series that is based on his First Steps in Music curriculum.Dr. Feierabend has been honored by the National Association for MusicEducation (MENC) as a Lowell Mason Fellow, received the Outstanding EducatorAward from the Organization of American Kodály Educators (OAKE), and wasthe first American recipient of the international LEGO prize, an award given annually tosomeone who has “helped to make the world a better place for children to live and grow.”First Steps in Music Seriesby John M. FeierabendGIA Publications, Inc.7404 S. Mason Ave., Chicago, IL 606381.800.442.1358 or 708.496.3800, 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m.CST, M–FFax: 708.496.3828 Email: custserv@giamusic.comwww.giamusic.com www.giamusic.com/feierabend15