GRADE 7

Music Quarter 1 – Module 1:

Music of Lowlands of Luzon Folk Songs from the Lowlands
Learning Competencies
The learner:
1. identifies the musical characteristics of representative music selections from the
lowlands of Luzon after listening. MU7LU-Ia-1
 cite the musical characteristics of representative music selections from the
lowlands of Luzon after listening;
 determine the musical elements, themes, and moods present in vocal and
instrumental music of lowland of Luzon; and
 appreciate the simplicity of Luzon’s lowland folksongs.

Before we explore the music of the Luzon Lowlands, let us first recall the different musical
elements that you have learned in your previous music lessons.
1. The first element is Rhythm. Rhythm is the regular repeated pattern of sounds. It serves
as the pulse of the musical composition. This element has three components:
- beat
- tempo and
- Meter
Tempo is the speed of the beat. Every music has its own speed which depends on the mood of
the whole music. Most happy tunes are fast while sad music is relatively slow
The meter, which composes of time signature is the combination of strong beats (accent) and
weak beats.
For example 4 4
(four four) time signature is like counting 1, 2, 3, 4, 1, 2, 3, 4, 1, 2, 3, 4, and so on. This type of
meter is commonly used in pop songs. In 3 4 time signature, you just count 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3, 1, 2,
3 and so on. This meter is commonly used in waltz music. For the time signature 2 4 (two four),
you just count 1, 2, 1, 2, 1, 2 and so on. Marches, polkas use this kind of meter.
2. The second element is about the softness and loudness of the music - the Dynamics.
This can be gradual (crescendo and decrescendo) or sudden / abrupt. Dynamics in music
suggests the emotional aspect of the composition. Soft music suggests themes such as
love while loud or strong music suggests bravery or war.
 3. The next element is the most obvious among all musical elements – the Melody. It is the
organized sequence (horizontal) of single notes. In other words, it is the main tune of
the musical piece. It is what you hear and what retains in your head.
4. Texture is all about the thickness of the sound. For example, in the monophonic texture,
only single line can be seen which means there is only one melody or tune playing. It is
like you are singing alone in the bathroom. In homophonic texture, a single melody is
present with an accompaniment of an instrument or several instruments. It is like you
are singing with a videoke machine. In polyphonic texture, two or more melodic
contours or lines are playing simultaneously. It is like you are singing with others in a
choir contest
5. The timbre is the quality of sound heard. If you and your friend sing “Bahay Kubo” in
unison, you can easily distinguish each other’s voice based on the quality of the sound
of your voices.

LESSON PROPER:
Folk songs in general have the following characteristics

A. The lyrics are according to the native tongue. Because songs are based on the daily
experiences of the people in a particular place and the message of the songs needs to be
understood easily to be appreciated, the lyrics of the songs are written or sung in their own
dialects. For example, the Tagalog folk songs came from the people who speak Tagalog. (Bahay
Kubo, Leron, Leron Sinta, Magtanim ay „Di Biro). The Ilocanos have their own (Manang Biday
and Pamulinawen). The Kapampangan’s Atin Cu Pung Singsing, and the Bicolano’s Sarung
Banggi are just a few among the folk songs of Luzon that are sung in their own dialects. Why do
you think it is important for a folk song to be sung or written in their native tongue?

B. Passed down through oral tradition to family or community members, hence, learned by
mere memorization Singing is a form of social bonding among early Filipino families. Because
they did not have access to internet, T.V. and radio during that time, singing folksongs became
their favorite pastime.

C. Unknown composers and lyricists Most composers of Filipino folk songs are unknown
because songs are just based on daily experiences and are passed down orally.

D. Simple key signature of the song Do you know how to play a guitar? If you can play this
instrument, you can try to play a simple folk song. While playing, you will notice that it starts
with a particular key (key of G for example) and ends in that same key. That only shows the
simplicity of the Luzon folk songs.

E. Duple, triple, or, quadruple are common meters used These meters were very common
during that time. The dances and common songs are based on these meters. The composers of
the folk songs adopted these rhythmic patterns to their compositions. What folk songs do you
know? Can you identify the meters used based on the discussion in the review section of this
module?

F. Primarily based on the community’s culture, tradition and livelihood

G. Short and simple Aside from Tagalog, several other dialects are used by unknown composers
from Luzon in composing their own lowland folk songs such as Ilocano, Kapampangan,
Pangasinense, and Bicolano. Spanish and other western influences are very evident in the
construction of the songs such as the meter used, and the minor and the major modes.
FOLK SONGS FROM THE LOW LANDS
Note: the YouTube links are provided for your reference of the song samples
1. ATIN CU PUNG SINGSING https://youtu.be/gVZgJGC8u2k
2. PAMULINAWEN https://youtu.be/F_hCrbe3sbc
3. O NARANIAG A BULAN https://youtu.be/pDZno9pqPAc
4. MAGTANIM AY ‘DI BIRO https://youtu.be/f8TgQ0aagls
5. SANTA CLARA https://youtu.be/u8w3ERrBePM
6. SARUNG BANGGI https://youtu.be/SaRJCG4MWjY
ACTIVITY 1:
In this activity, you will analyze the given six folk songs by completing the table. DIALECT
(Tagalog, Ilocano, etc.) MELODY (major, minor scale), DYNAMICS (softness or loudness of
sound), TEMPO, TEXTURE, METER (duple, triple, quadruple), Mood (happy, sad, etc.) THEME
(love, religious, work, etc.

ATIN CU PAMULINAWEN O MAGTANIM SANTA SARUNG

PUNG NARANIAG AY ‘DI BIRO CLARA BANGGI
SINGSING A BULAN
DIALECT
METER
MOOD
MELODY
DYNAMICS
TEMPO
 TEXTURE

ACTIVITY 2:
Hello, Mind, Test – Modified TRUE or FALSE
Directions: Write APPROVED if the statement is true and if not, write DISAPPROVED and
identify the word that made the statement false. Accomplish this task in your activity notebook.
1. Luzon lowland folksongs have a very distinctive Spanish influence.
2. Folksongs are generally taught in schools.
3. Sitsiritsit is a Tagalog folksong.
4. An example of a Kapampangan folk song is Sarung Banggi.
5. The composers and lyricists of folk songs are usually unknown.
6. Naraniag a Bulan is an example of an Ilocano folk song.
7. Folk songs are mostly short and complicated.
8. Key signatures in folk songs do not change.
9. Folk songs are based on the community‟s livelihood, tradition and culture.
10. Atin Cu Pung Singsing is an example of a Bicolano folk song.
11. Sarung Banggi is a folk song from Batangas.
12. Pamulinawen is a folksong with a triple meter.
13. Folksongs are usually sung in the dialect of the people of its place of origin.
14. Pamulinawen and Manang Biday are both Tagalog folksongs.
15. All folksongs have the same story to tell.
ACTIVITY 3: PERFORMANCE TASK
The Audition Suppose you are going in an audition about Folk Song singing. One of the
requirements is to sing a folk song of your region or province. Here are the mechanics for the
audition:

1. You are going to sing a folk song from your region or province.
2. The performance can be a capella or with accompaniment (live or minus 1)
3. Record your performance in your gadget (cellphone or computer) if possible.
4. If recording is not possible, a schedule for a live performance will be given to you.
5. You will be graded based on the following criteria:

Clarity of voice (25 %)

Volume of voice (25 %)
Pitch (25 %)
Expression (25%)
TOTAL 100%