Can you see what I hear?

Notation posted on our wall.

As in language, the earliest concepts in music are often taught physically, orally and aurally (through movement, speech and listening).  Students are then introduced to the written expression of these concepts, and eventually learn to use the written symbols to record their own ideas.  This is musical notation, the collection of symbols that represent rhythm and melody, and it enables musicians to see what they hear.

Melodic Dictation.

Students in Grade Two have been practicing their notation by echoing the teacher, reading notation, and writing down music that they listen to.  They have been noticing when their written symbols match the sound they hear, and when it does not - oops!  Finding and correcting mistakes has been an exciting process for students, and has encouraged many to try using more and more challenging notation.

A student has written their own rhythm.

After all that work, we put our skills to the test.  This week, Grade Two students are bringing home written assessments, in which they used notation to record music.  After they wrote down the melodies and rhythms, students also turned their papers over to write down their ideas about "melody" and "phrase".  Explaining musical concepts with English words is a challenge for most students, and we often practice explaining ideas to a partner or justifying an answer to the class.  This assessment was the Grade Twos' first attempt at putting their spoken thoughts down in writing.  

It is very exciting to watch these young musicians learn to talk about the beautiful music they make, and develop the skills they'll need to record their own ideas!

Grade 2 Students' description of a "phrase".

Grade 2 Students' descriptions of "melody".