6/18/24, 4:08 AM Music Fundamentals - Class Notes from YourClassical

Music Fundamentals
Lessons
Concerts
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Music Fundamentals lessons provide fresh ideas for teaching
basiclessons
Search concepts such as staccato, legato, melody, harmony,
& artists
voice types, ensemble skills, and more!
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What are INSTRUMENT FAMILIES?

We can group instruments into four families: strings, woodwinds, brass,
and percussion. Sing and play a game to learn the characteristics of
each instrument family!

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6/18/24, 4:08 AM Music Fundamentals - Class Notes from YourClassical

What
Lessonsis STEADY BEAT?
Explore STEADY BEAT by dancing, stomping, and clapping to catchy
tunes!
Concerts
How it works

What is IMPROVISATION?
Making up music on the spot is called “improvisation.” Learn how
musicians improvise and practice creating your own music in this
hands-on lesson!

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6/18/24, 4:08 AM Music Fundamentals - Class Notes from YourClassical

Lessons
Concerts
What is HARMONY?
How it works
Explore the basic concept of musical harmony improvising to create
simple harmonies using visual prompts! For elementary age students,
but adaptable for all ages.

What is ABA FORM?

Music is full of patterns. Learn about the ABA pattern in music and use
it to create your own composition!

What are ENSEMBLE SKILLS?

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How do musicians stick together without a conductor? Help students

understand and practice ENSEMBLE SKILLS in this lesson.

Lessons
Concerts
How it works

What are VOICE TYPES?

No two voices sound exactly the same. But, all voices fall into a range.
Learn about four main voice types: soprano, alto, tenor, and bass!

What is OPERA? (Part One)

Opera is for everyone- including kids! Our host Victoria explains what
opera is, then introduces you to three opera singers. Perfect for
elementary ages.

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6/18/24, 4:08 AM Music Fundamentals - Class Notes from YourClassical

What is OPERA? (Part Two)

In part two of our opera lessons, Victoria uses opera to tell two stories:
one about lunch, and one about special events. Students will be able to
Lessons
compose their own aria at the end of the lesson.
Concerts
How it works

What is an AUDIENCE?
There are two roles in a musical performance: the role of the
performer(s) and the role of the audience! Learn about both in this
lesson!

What is TEMPO?
Fast or slow means tempo! In our Class Notes Tempo Video, we see
lumberjacks moving to different speeds. End the lesson with a game of
Tempo Olympics!

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6/18/24, 4:08 AM Music Fundamentals - Class Notes from YourClassical

Lessons
Concerts
What is a NOCTURNE?
How it worksare special pieces of music inspired by nighttime! Tap into a
Nocturnes
calm, peaceful feeling as you learn some defining features and listen to
musical examples. For grades K-8.

What is FERMATA?
Fermata means to hold a note longer than usual. Go on a fermata
scavenger hunt as you listen to several musical examples.

What is an ETUDE?
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The word "etude" means "study" in French. Listen to etudes for piano,
guitar, cello, snare drum, and trumpet in this lesson.

Lessons
Concerts
How it works

What is a SCHERZO?
The word "scherzo" means "to jest" or "to joke" in Italian. Learn about
the characteristics of a scherzo while listening to some playful
examples!

What is PRESTO?
Tap into your need for speed in this music lesson about PRESTO, or
super fast music!

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What is CRESCENDO?
When composers and musicians want to make the volume of music
gradually
Lessons increase, they use the word “crescendo.” Listen to musical
examples and practice making your own!
Concerts
How it works

What is a CONDUCTOR?
Conductors have a special musical job. Conductor Sarah Hicks will tell
you about her job and teach you a few conducting patterns. For grades
K-5.

What are STACCATO and LEGATO?

Explore contrasting articulation in this music fundamental lesson all
about staccato and legato!

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Lessons
Concerts
What is THEME AND VARIATION?
How it workslike to take a familiar tune, or a THEME, and create different
Composers
variations, or versions. Listen and respond to different pieces of music
with a Theme and Variation form.

What is MELODY?
Melody use pitches that can go high or low and make shapes. Learn
about melody by distinguishing it from beat and rhythm! Explore
melodic contour by vocalizing and drawing your own melodic shapes!

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What are DYNAMICS?

Music can be loud, soft or somewhere in between. Musicians use the
word "dynamics" to describe the volume level of music. Practice
identifying forte and piano sounds in this lesson!
Lessons
Concerts
How it works

What is TIMBRE?
Timbre is the unique or special sound that a thing makes. Watch a fun
video about tone color and play around with timbre in objects around
your classroom or home.

What is PIZZICATO?
Learn to differentiate between two different string techniques (pizzicato
and arco) in this lesson.

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6/18/24, 4:08 AM Music Fundamentals - Class Notes from YourClassical

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