Summary

Students will learn the names of basic tempo and dynamic signs in music and their meaning. They will listen to a song using different tempo and dynamic structures and analyze how both of these factors change the feeling of the song.

_{The timing and pacing of the exercises in this lesson plan example are approximate and will differ depending on your students' skill level. If the pace of this lesson plan is too fast for you, divide it into several lessons and add additional activities (see 'Activities' section). If the pace of this lesson plan is too slow for you, explore the 'Beyond the lesson' chapter at the end of this lesson plan for additional activities.}

⏰ Time: 40 min

🎓 Grades: 4-6

🎯 Objective(s): As a result of this lesson, students will be able to...

• Recognize basic signs and symbols (clefs, staff, bar line)
• Read musical notation in the treble clef
• Understand the meaning of tempo signs and dynamics

💡 Required Prior Knowledge and Skills:

• Basic signs and symbols on the staff
• Some knowledge of Note values and notation

💻 Materials:

• Solfeg.io web app best used with Chrome browser
• Projector or computer and access to WIFI

Song suggestions:

Start of your lesson

🕐 5 min - Set up the classroom

• Log into Solfeg.io;
• Load your chosen song;
• Find the part of the song you want to play for your students

Warm-Up

🕐 8 min - Q & A

• On your screen, pull up one of the suggested songs on Solfeg.io and ask students which symbols they recognize (clefs, bars, meters, keys, etc.), what they mean, what their value is and have volunteers demonstrate.

• Review your class’ way of remembering musical notation in the treble clef. (ex. Every Good Boy Deserves Fudge)

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🕐 7 min - Tempo and dynamic signs

• Introduce the students to the most common Italian tempo and dynamic signs and their meaning:

Presto

Allegro

Moderato

Andante

Largo

Piano

Mezzo Piano

Mezzo Forte

Forte

Practice

🕐 10 min - Exercise 1:

• Slow down the tempo of the song at least 2 times in the Solfeg.io app.
• Play a section of the song (e.g. Chorus) at this slower speed to your students.
• Ask your students:

How would you describe the tempo of this song?

Can you name a specific Italian word (e.g. Andante or Largo)

• Now, use the Controls to get the song back to the original tempo and play the same section to your students again!
• Ask your students again:

How would you describe the tempo now?

Can you name a specific Italian word (e.g. Moderato, Allegro or Presto depending on the song's original tempo)

• As a group, decide which tempo is most accurate for the actual song.

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🕐 10 min - Exercise 2:

• Have students play around with dynamics - ask a couple students to come up with the dynamic formula for the song (ex. Chorus’ are all forte and verses are all piano.)
• Make sure they are using musical language (the correct wording)!
• Take an instrument (piano, ukulele and guitar) and demonstrate how to play the song according to those rules to your students!

Tip: If your students are skilled enough, they can join you by playing the rhythm tracks of the song. But don't forget that they also have to follow the dynamic formula!

Reflection

🕐 5 min - Q & A

• Ask your students:

What did you learn? Explain.

What do you feel confident about after this lesson? Explain.

What do you need to practice?

What might you want to review before the next class? Explain.

Beyond the Lesson

Challenge students to go beyond the lesson by...

• Try thinking of a new dynamic/tempo structure for a different song;
• Try playing the song on a different instrument and change the dynamics.
• Assigning the quizzes “Introduction to Most Common Clefs”, “Introduction to Tempo in Music” and/or “Introduction to Dynamics” to students as homework.

Visual presentation

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This lesson plan was created by Gina, a middle school music teacher and creator behind @musicpluscoffee

Gina received her Bachelor's of Music Education in 2014 and currently teaches music at a K-5 school. She is passionate about making music resources that are cute and modern, while keeping the fun and love for music alive! She believes music is important, music is powerful and that music can bring people together. That is why she is so passionate about what she creates.

"It has been such a pleasure getting to know the Solfeg.io program and the people behind it who are also very passionate about music. I look forward to hearing and seeing how you use these lesson plans I created in your classroom so please reach out to me on instagram @musicpluscoffee."

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