Music, Week of February 14, 2011

Classes this week were exploring the music of American composer, George Gershwin. After listening to a terrific performance of his Rhapsody in Blue with Earl Wild and the Boston Pops, students viewed, via  the Internet, several advertisements by United Air Lines in which they cleverly used the Rhapsody in Blue as the background music.

Moving on to Gershwin's I've Got Rhythm, I was able to show the students, via Virtuoso on the iPad, how to find the five notes (pentatonic scale) of that piece on the keyboard. They transferred those notes either to the xylophones - with the identical set up to a keyboard - or to the recorders (same notes on the staff).

It has been nice being able to switch back and forth from CDs to YouTube examples to hands-on performance of pieces to help students absorb and learn the music of some these terrific composers.

Zychowka 2/16

Today 5A looked at and discussed the art of Russian Abstract painter Wassily Kandinsky.  Kandinsky first learned to paint in the style of Monet and Van Gogh (the Impressionists) but eventually his art evolved into a non-representational style  full of line, shape, and color.  He was strongly influenced and inspired by classical music.

After our discussion, we reviewed the principles of design and then students broke up into pairs.  Together they were given the challenge of creating a unified and successful abstract design.  Classical music played in the background (thanks to my ipod and Pandora) while students collaborated and set the foundation for their paintings. 

Getting back from a work, especially a large one, helps you to see it more clearly.  It's a good habit to get into when making art. 

iPad in Music Class

Week of February 7, 2011

This week I started using the iPad app Virtuoso to demonstrate to the classes the notes for their xylophone pieces. This app has also allowed for me to show that the pattern of keys on the xylophone and piano are exactly alike. Therefore, they can transfer the pieces they learn in class on the xylophones to a piano (or iPad!).

I have also been able to show that the higher notes on the keyboard are represented on the treble staff and the low notes on the bass staff. Hearing the difference in pitch helps to reinforce the concept behind the Grand Staff.  Additionally, the students have been able to see more clearly how their vocal  "scale" warm-ups relate to the keyboard or xylophone.

The piano has always been  available for these demonstrations, but the iPad is much more compact and easier for all of the students to see.

Of course, there is always feedback from the students recommending apps that I should get for this iPad. We're learning from each other.

General Music Class
RSPS

Ms. Zychowka - jan 4

Below is a sketch of the mural I painted.  This was done on the ipad in a simple note taking app.  I used a stylus which allowed for a little more accuracy of line placement.  The scale and color of the work aren't accurate, but the drawing was a great reference when I worked on the actual painting .