Music Lesson on Melody and Rhythm
Kyle Yamnitz

Song: Samples of music from several different nations

Musical Element to Teach: Melody and Rhythm

Grade Level: Fourth or Fifth

Concept: The students will predict what music from different cultures sounds like based on what they have heard through the media, movies, etc. They will then listen to music from these nations and compare how their predicted music differed. They will also note any differences in melody and rhythm between the various cultures and our own.

Objectives: The students will:

1. Predict what music from different nations will sound like by creating short musical pieces based on their assumptions.
2. Listen to music from different cultures and describe how their musical creations differed as well as how each piece of music differed from the others and from our own.
3. Write a list of differences in melody and rhythm found between the various nations and our own.

Materials Needed: Musical samples from at least three different nations, musical instruments (as many different ones as possible).

Preliminary Procedures: Ask students what kind of music they think that they would hear if they went to China, Russia, Zimbabwe, Chile, etc.

Procedures:

1. Divide the students into groups and have each group create a musical piece that represents what they think the music of a certain nation will sound like. Provide few guidelines and allow them to choose whatever instruments they think may be used in making music in the country their group is doing.

2. Allow students to play their music for the group. After each group plays, let them listen to authentic music from that nation and invite the entire class to discuss differences in the group and the nation's music. Also, ask them what the differences between this music and our own is. Before students listen to the music, remind them that differences in music are welcomed and do not mean that any form of music is better than another.

3. After each group performs and the national music is listened to, ask students to write a list of differences in melody and rhythm from our own. They should describe why they think each aspect of melody and rhythm that they write about is different. Also have them write about some of the similarities in the different music.

Evaluation: The students' descriptions of differences in melody and rhythm between the different nations' music and our own can be evaluated. They should be evaluated based on the accuracy of their responses when considering the brief musical pieces that they were allowed to listen to.

Follow-Up: Ask students if they think that all of each nation's music would be similar in melody and form to the one short piece that they heard. Note that there are numerous differences in melody and rhythm within a culture's music. Also, ask students to describe which music they liked the best and why.

Back to HomePage