Monday, January 25, 2010

Blog #4 - String Instruments

Hello class,
This week, you will listen to FOUR videos to the right. As you listen, you should think about how the timbre (the tone color) and pitch (highness/lowness) of the instruments are different. Which one creates the highest sounds? Which one creates the lowest sounds?

Here are some good timbre words:
light or heavy; dark or bright; breathy; punchy; clear; focussed or unfocussed; piercing; harsh; warm; mellow; resonant; flat; vibrato (do you hear it vibrating?) or no vibrato

Write four sentences: One sentence about each instrument that describes how it is uniquely different than the other three.

Rubric:
20 pts - Students commented correctly using the blog, and included their name.
20 pts - Students comment on pitch of different instruments.
20 pts - Students correctly comment on the timbre of different instruments.
20 pts - Each instrument is described to show how it is unique.
20 pts - Students used correct grammar and spelling.

Please write and submit your post for this assignment by Monday, February 1 for full credit.

In case you can't watch the videos to the right, here are the URL's for the videos:
Violin: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P0pkigApKEw
Viola: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQ_BQa1NHa8
Cello: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GczSTQ2nv94
String Bass: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I4Hx0VfUbTw

Monday, January 18, 2010

Blog #3 - Woodwind Instruments

Hello class,

This week, you will be listen to FOUR videos to the right. As you listen, you should think about how the timbre (the tone color) and pitch (highness/lowness) of the instruments are different. Which one creates the highest sounds? Which one creates the lowest sounds?

Here are some good timbre words:light or heavy; dark or bright; breathy; punchy; clear; focussed or unfocussed; piercing; harsh; warm; mellow; resonant; flat; vibrato (do you hear it vibrating?) or no vibrato

Write four sentences: One sentence about each instruments that describes how it is uniquely different than the other three.

Rubric:
20 pts - Students commented correctly using the blog, and included their name.
20 pts - Students comment on pitch of different instruments.
20 pts - Students correctly comment on the timbre of different instruments.
20 pts - Each instrument is described to show how it is unique.
20 pts - Students used correct grammar and spelling.

Please write and submit your post for this assignment by Monday, January 25 for full credit.

In case you can't watch the videos to the left, here are the URL's for the videos:
Flute: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c6SHsF1n9Qw
Oboe: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fjHW5utnuVY
Clarinet: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sXrwIHcNB5o
Bassoon: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-z7T5MdER0

Have a great day!

-Mr. Ward

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Blog #2 - Brass Instruments

Hello again,

This week, you will listen to the FOUR vidoes to the right. As you listen, you should think about how the timbre (the tone color) and pitch (highness/lowness) of the instruments are different. Which one creates the highest sounds? Which one creates the lowest sounds?

Here are some good timbre words to use:
light or heavy; dark or bright; breathy; punchy; clear; focussed or unfocussed; piercing; harsh; warm; mellow; resonant; flat; vibrato or without vibrato (do you hear the vibrations?)

Write four sentences: One sentence about each instrument that describes how it is uniquely different from the other three.

Rubric:
20 pts - Students commented correctly using the blog, and included their name.
20 pts - Students comment on pitch of different instruments.
20 pts - Students correctly comment on the timbre of different instruments.
20 pts - Each instrument is described to show how it is unique.
20 pts - Students used correct grammar and spelling.

Please write and submit your post for this assignment by Monday, January 18 for full credit.

In case you can't watch the videos to the left, here are the URL's for the videos:
Trombone:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mHw8P8NnUvI
French Horn:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nB7FX1TBv34
Tuba:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ONrOhMW7y4s
Trumpet:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KuZ5Xbt8-00

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

Styles Blog

Hello Music Appreciators!

This blog will be used to communicate, to listen to musical examples, and to work on special homework assignments and projects over the course of the semester.

To the right are three music videos that have very different styles. Watch each video, decide what style you think the music is, and provide two reasons why you think it falls into that style category. When referring to each video, do not call them "video 1", but call them by the title of the song, or by the musician's/band's name.

If you are unable to view the videos to the right, you may click on the hyperlinks below:
Switchfoot - "Only Hope" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1YS5TqZR7_U
Toby Mac and Kirk Franklin - "Lose My Soul" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BZG9G68bZO0
The Beatles - "Twist and Shout" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h6TIEkB4_F8

Rubric:
These will be graded as follows:
20 pts. You commented correctly, with your name listed.
20 pts. You made an educated guess about the style of each artist.
20 pts. You used two reasons to back up your choice of style.
20 pts. You made reference to band names and/or song titles.
20 pts. You used good grammar and spelling.

To comment, just click on the link below that says "comments." Then make sure you sign your name by clicking "Name/URL" so that I know it is you leaving the comment.

Have a wonderful day!

- Mr. Ward

Evolution of Music

Background - Lecrae

Hansel and Gretel