Week of July 16th, 2011

Piano Vs. Forte

Today in music class, we discussed the difference between the dynamics of piano and forte!

Piano, or playing soft, is symbolized by a lowercase “p” in music. Forte, or a full volume, is symbolized by a lowercase “f”. Today in music class, we focused on the actual volume of the dynamic versus its symbol, using pictures of items that are considered loud and quiet, and also singing songs and performing motions with our rainbow streamers to loud and soft sounds on the drum and ukulele!

The kids did a great job of illustrating how to use their voice with both dynamic markings, and we had fun brainstorming things that were naturally “piano” and “forte”.

Please feel free to download the picture worksheet below to quiz your child on which items could be considered which dynamic marking, and encourage them to continue thinking about things that could be categorized as such. Try encouraging your child to speak in a “piano” voice the next time that they need a reminder to control volume!

Our younger students 2 and under also enjoyed "singing" a book today: "I'm a Little Teapot", written and illustrated by Iza Trapani.

PIANO VS. FORTE SYMBOL WORKSHEET (Printable download pdf)

Week of May 31st-June 4th

INFANT THROUGH TWOS

This week in music class we explored using shakers! Among our other songs and fingerplays this week, we sang a fun song called "Walk All Around". I've posted the lyrics and movement below so that you can try at home! Anything can be a quick shaker: a peanut butter jar filled with beans and tightened safely, two stapled paper plates with a few pieces of macaroni between them, and anything else you can thing of! Give this fun "freeze" song at try!



WALK ALL AROUND


Walk all around now, Walk all around

Walk all around now, Walk all around.

Walk all around now, Walk all around

Walk all around now, Walk all around…

AND

POSE!-two-three-four-five-six-seven-eight!

(freeze your body in a pose and shake your instrument eight times to the beat).


Continue with dance, tiptoe, circle, etc.


THREES and FOURS

Learning about piano and forte: musical dynamics.

Today in music class we are learning about musical dynamics. Dynamics usually refer to the volume that music is played, but can also mean more than that at times, like tone or execution.

In order to illustrate the difference between piano (playing soft) and forte (playing at a loud, or full volume), we made a graph on the white board of everyday things that are either piano or forte.



I drew pictures representing the great ideas the classes had regarding everyday things that were quiet and loud. We then practiced our songs and fingerplays using these dynamics!







SCHOOL AGE

This week in our school age we will be practicing our xylophones, our choral music, and also talking about "intervals". Music can be compared to taking steps. Because we are learning about "do re mi", solfege, and curwen hand symbols in our class right now, we are also talking about the "steps" that create different pitches in music. So, to recap, an interval is the distance between pitches!

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MOM AND DAD CONNECT:

Want to learn more about our lessons this week?

Make a cool homemade shaker!RHYTHM WEB: Shakers

All about musical dynamics: Musical Dynamics.

Here is a great website explaining all about "intervals": Intervals

Week of March 22nd

SCHOOL AGE MUSIC CLASS


SCHOOL AGE MUSIC CLASS

Today in music class we revisited the note values we have learned so far (quarter note, quarter rest, repeat symbol, treble clef, and music staff) through some quizzing and also a fun game where we jumped, clapped, and nodded our heads for certain values. It's so much fun to learn about rhythm and music while moving your body!

We also practiced our xylophones and learned about two dynamics (volume) terms:

p = piano ----- Play softly

f = forte ------ Play at a full volume

You can practice these skills at home with anything from a maraca to a coffee can with beans inside. Don't forget to quiz your child on the things we've learned from music class and take opportunities to embrace teachable moments! :)

Mom and Dad Connect:
You can learn about piano and forte here:


Piano, Forte and other dynamics explained.