MUSIC TERM 6

MUSIC THEORY

AND THE

ORCHESTRA

Year 7 Term 4

booklet

Name:

Form:

Class:

LESSON 1

READ NOW!

MUSIC NOTATION

Music notation is a way of writing down music so that anyone can play it.

Many systems have been used in the past to write music. Today most

musicians in the Western world write musical notes on a stave: five parallel

lines with four spaces in between them. However, there are many others,

some of which are in use today in different culture.

Writing music down makes it possible for a composer who makes up

(composes) a piece of music to let other people know how the music is

supposed to sound. That music can then be played or sung by anybody who

can “read music”. If music is not written down, then people can only learn

other people’s music by listening to it and trying to copy it.

Answer the questions in your orange book.

1. What is music notation?

2. What do musicians in the western work write music notes on?

3. What is a composer?

4. What other way can people learn music?

RHYTHM

Rhythm is the combination of short and long notes. When writing note lengths,

we use these symbols.

SEMIBREVE

The semibreve is 4 beats long. Clap along to the beat say the word ‘semi bre-

e-eve’ for 4 beats.

Semi-bre-e-eve

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MINIM

The minim is 2 beats long. Clap along to the beat say the word ‘mi-nim’ for

every 2 beats.

Mi-nim min-im

CROTCHET

The crotchet is 1 beat long. Clap along to the beat say the word ‘crotchet’

for every beat.

Crotchet Crotchet Crotchet Crotchet

QUAVER

The quaver is 1/2 beat long. Clap along to the beat say the word ‘qua-ver.

Qua-ver aua-ver qua-ver quaver

Write this table in your orange book.

Watch the video: Music Theory: Note Names, Rests & Dotted Notes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=17&v=168Y5HiYeFw&featur

e=emb_logo

Complete the worksheets.

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LESSON 2

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RHYTHM

Rhythm refers to the length of time between each major "beat", or accent,

such as in a piece of music. It is the sequence of sounds and silences which

make up the rhythm. The first beat of a group of regular, evenly spaced

beats usually feels stronger than the others. When we write music down, we

put each group in bars (or “measures”).

NOTE VALUES

In music notation, a note value represents the duration (length) of the note.

Each note value symbol represents a different length as show in the table

below. Note values are combined to create different rhythms.

Answer the questions in your orange book.

1. What is rhythm?

2. What beat is usually the strongest?

3. What is duration?

4. What is used to show duration and rhythms in music?

CAN YOU REMEMBER THESE RHYTHMS? Write the name and the value (beat)

underneath the symbol.

_________ _________ ________ _________

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RESTS

Rests in music are used to represent silence within a rhythm. When writing

rhythms these symbols are used to represent the silence in a piece of music.

Watch the video: Music Theory: Note Names, Rests & Dotted Notes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=17&v=168Y5HiYeFw&featur

e=emb_logo

Complete the worksheets.

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LESSON 3

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MUSICAL NOTES

In music, a note is a small bit of sound that is similar to a syllable in speaking a

language. The word "note" can also mean the pitch of a note (how high or

low it is). The word "note" can also mean the written symbol of the note.

Nearly all music is made up of notes.

In some Western countries, like United Kingdom, Germany and the USA, the

notes (in the sense of the pitches) are given a letter of the alphabet

according to their pitch. From lowest sounding to highest sounding: A, B, C, D,

E, F, G. This pattern repeats, so that after G will come A. This A is an octave

higher than the first A.

Answer the questions in your orange book.

1. What is pitch?

2. What can the word “note” mean?

3. What are the 7 letters in the musical alphabet?

4. What is an octave?

Lines and Spaces

Music is written on sets of five lines called a ‘staff’ or ‘stave’.

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THE TREBLE CLEF

The treble clef is for higher-pitched notes. It contains the notes above

middle C on the piano, which means all the notes you play with your

right hand on the piano.

The treble clef is also sometimes called the G clef. Note that the shape

of the treble clef itself resembles a stylized G. The loop on the treble clef

also circles the second line on the staff, which is the note G, as shown.

The treble clef always tells you that G is on the second staff line.

Watch the video: How To Draw The G Clef (Treble Clef)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=3&v=SgFVK7DRQlE&feature=emb

_logo

Or use the diagram below to complete the worksheets.

Watch the video: Music Theory - Treble Clef (Understanding & Identifying

Notes)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=le10tF_3YWg&feature=emb_logo

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MIDDLE C

Middle C is the note in the middle of the grand stave. Middle C also gets its

name from the fact that it is in the middle of the piano keyboard.

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Extension Task:

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LESSON 4

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TIME SIGNATURES AND BARLINES

A time Signature gives us information about the rhythm of a piece. The top

number tells us the number of beats, and the bottom number tells us what

kind of beat.

The time signatures 2/4, 3/4, 4/4 all have 4 on the bottom, meaning crotchet

beats. The number on the top tells us how many beats are in each bar.

2/4 means two crotchet beats in a bar. It can also be called ‘simple duple’.

Example:

_1_ __ ___ __ __ __ __ __ __ ____ ___ ___ _____

Write down the value of each beat under the symbol. The first one is done for

you.

Watch the video: Time Signature, bars and barlines

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mlZVQbFW0JA

Practice clapping the rhythms provided on the next page.

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LESSON 5

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INSTRUMENTS OF THE ORCHESTRA

An orchestra is a group of musicians playing instruments together. They make

music. A large orchestra is sometimes called a "symphony orchestra" and a

small orchestra is called a "chamber orchestra". A symphony orchestra may

have about 100 players, while a chamber orchestra may have 30 or 40

players. The number of players will depend on what music they are playing

and the size of the place where they are playing. The word "orchestra"

originally meant the semi-circular space in front of a stage in a Greek theatre

which is where the singers and instruments used to play. Gradually the word

came to mean the musicians themselves.

The orchestra is directed by a conductor. He/she helps the players to play

together, to get the right balance so that everything can be heard clearly,

and to encourage the orchestra to play with the same kind of feeling.

The instruments of the orchestra are divided into sections or families: the

strings, woodwind, brass and percussion. They are grouped in these sections

because the instruments share certain characteristics.

Answer the questions in your orange book.

1. What is a large orchestra called?

2. How many players usually play in a large orchestra?

3. What is a conductor?

4. What are the 4 sections of the orchestra?

Watch the video: The Young Person’s Guide to the orchestra

https://brittenpears.org/explore/benjamin-britten/music/the-young-persons-

guide/

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Complete the worksheet using the information below.

You are the conductor and need to know where all the instruments sit. Using

the following directions, label the blank sections. Then shade each section in

the appropriate colour.

Strings = Blue Percussion = Red Woodwind = Green Brass = Yellow

Directions for Labels

The percussion and timpani sit at the very back row of the orchestra. The

harp occupies the smallest space and the 1st violins sit at the front, next to

the harp. The 2nd violins sit next to the 1st. The violas are directly in front of

you. Double basses are behind the cellos and finish the string section (which

is the largest).

The flutes are behind the violas to the left. The oboes sit next to the flutes and

are directly in front of the bassoons. The clarinets sit next to the bassoons and

in front of the horns. The trombones and tuba sit a row behind the bassoons to

the right and the trumpets sit next to them.

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LESSON 6

READ NOW!

THE STRING SECTION

READ NOW!

Watch the video: Meet the Orchestra Strings

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MP2_6OLummA

Answer the questions in your orange book:

1. Which is the smallest String instrument?

2. What material is used to make the bow?

3. Which String instrument has the lowest pitched sound and why?

4. Which String instrument features more than any other instrument in an

orchestra?

5. What is double stopping?

6. How many notes lower than written does a Double Bass sound?

7. In which two ways can a String instrument be played?

8. What are the four most common String instruments? Start with the

LOWEST pitched first.

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LESSON 7

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THE WOODWIND SECTION

Watch the video: Meet the Orchestra Woodwind

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KEt1Mm8sSkA

Answer the questions in your orange book:

1. What material are some Clarinets made out of?

2. What is distinct about the mouthpiece of a lot of Woodwind

instruments?

3. The Double Bassoon is a bigger and lower pitched version of which

instrument?

4. What are the four types of Saxophone? Write them down in order of

pitch LOWEST first?

5. Which instrument looks similar to the Clarinet?

6. The Piccolo is a smaller version of which instrument?

7. Why can the Piccolos and Flutes play high pitched notes?

8. Are all Woodwind instruments made out of wood?

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LESSON 8

READ NOW!

THE BRASS SECTION

Watch the video: Meet the Orchestra Brass

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yE0aSxziNdY

Answer the questions in your orange book.

1. Which Brass instrument is famous for having a warm and mellow sound?

2. Despite being made out of brass, which famous instrument is not

classed as a Brass instrument?

3. Which Brass instrument has the highest pitched sound and why?

4. Which low pitched instrument is the biggest of the brass instruments?

5. Name two ways that can Brass players change the pitch of the notes

they play?

6. Which Brass instrument is different from all the others and why?

7. Why are Brass instruments usually placed at the back of the Orchestra?

8. Name a low-pitched Brass instrument, other than a Tuba?

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LESSON 9

READ NOW!

THE PERCUSSION SECTION

Watch the video: Meet the Orchestra Percussion

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xGKpngesISI

Answer the questions in your orange book.

1. What are the keys on a Glockenspiel made of?

2. What are the three main ways that Percussion instruments are played?

3. What does it mean if it is said that an instrument is tuned?

4. Why are Timpani sometimes called Kettle drums?

5. Why are Percussion instruments placed at the back of the Orchestra?

6. What are the keys of a Xylophone made of?

7. Can you think of a good reason that people might underestimate how

difficult it is to play a Percussion instrument?

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LESSON 10

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PETER AND THE WOLF

Peter and the Wolf is a piece of orchestral music written by Sergei Prokofiev.

This piece contains a children’s story and as the narrator speaks, the

orchestra accompanies them. The composer uses a different instrument and

melodic motif (melody) for each character. This type of music is called

programme music because the music specifically represents the characters

and is used to make the story come to life.

Sergei Prokofiev (1891 – 1953)

Prokofiev was a Russian composer who wrote his first piece of music aged 5.

He went on to study music at St Petersburg Conservatoire aged 13 where he

was taught by some of the best Russian composers of the time such as

Nicolai Rimsky-Korsakov (The Flight of the Bumblebee). Prokofiev wrote the

story and music in just four days! It was first performed in 1936 and it is one of

the most well-known and well-loved pieces of orchestral music.

Answer the questions in your orange book.

1. What is orchestra music?

2. What is a melody?

3. What is programme music?

4. How old was Sergei Prokofiev when he wrote his first piece?

5. Who was another famous Russian composer?

Listen to the following piece, Peter and the Wolf by Sergai Prokofiev.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Va8Uz6MoKLg

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Match the character to the correct instrument…

1. Peter Timpani

2. Bird Bassoon

3. Duck Flute

4. Cat Oboe

5. Hunters Horns

6. Wolf Strings

7. Peter’s grandfather Clarinet

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Answer the questions in your orange book.

1. How would you describe Peter’s mood and movement when you hear

the strings?

2. Describe the pitch of the bird.

3. Is the flute a good choice for this animal? Why?

4. Describe the timbre of the oboe (duck).

5. Why do you think Prokofiev chose the oboe for the duck?

6. Describe the movement of the cat (clarinet).

7. Describe the pitch of the bassoon. Does this suit the grandfather?

How?

8. What atmosphere do the horns (wolf) create when they first appear?

9. Why do you think Prokofiev chose timpani to represent the hunters?

10. Which orchestral instrument would you use to represent you and why?

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Name: Form:

Year 7 Music Interim Assessment

*Answer the questions on the Music Interim Assessment Teams Assignment*

Part 1

Musical Elements

1. Pitch describes ____.

a. how long a note lasts

b. the loudness or quietness of a note

c. whether a note has a high or low sound

d. whether music is fast or slow

2. Which of these words describes the volume of a note or musical phrase?

a. Tempo

b. Dynamics

c. Timbre

d. Duration

3. Which of the following is NOT an element of music?

a. Symphony

b. Pitch

c. Tempo

d. Timbre

4. To which of these would you tap your toe?

a. Pitch

b. Volume

c. Beat

d. Tempo

5. Timbre describes ____.

a. the sound different instruments make when they are played together

b. the pitch of an instrument

c. the volume of a specific instrument

d. the sound quality of a specific instrument

6. In music, 'texture' refers to ____.

a. the combination of different sounds happening at the same time

b. whether the musicians are playing in time

c. whether the musicians are playing in tune

d. how long a piece of music lasts

7. What is duration?

a. How high a note is

b. How many instruments are playing together

c. How long a note lasts

d. Harmony

8. Adagio, allegro and lento are words which tell a musician ____.

a. how loudly to play

b. how smoothly to play

c. what notes to play

d. what speed to play

9. Which phrase best describes rhythm?

a. The pattern made by long notes, short notes and silence

b. A steady beat

c. An entire piece of music

d. A musical performance that makes you want to dance

10. Which of these is NOT a word for a type of dynamics?

a. Pianissimo

b. Concerto

c. Forte

d. Piano

Part 2

Music Theory

Circle the correct answer.

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12

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18

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Part 3

Note Names

Work out the names of the notes below. The notes in each bar spell a word.

22 21 23 24

25 26 27 28

29

33 34 35

=5

36

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30

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31

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32

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Part 4

Instruments of the orchestra

Odd one Out

Circle the instrument that does not belong in the same section as the others

37.

Trumpet French Horn flute Tuba

38.

Timpani cello double bass viola

39.

Oboe clarinet xylophone flute

40.

Trombone triangle tuba French horn

41.

Saxophone harp violin double bass

42.

Bassoon clarinet timpani oboe

43.

Bass drum bass clarinet gong claves

44.

Tuba trumpet tenor horn cello

Part 5

Instruments of the orchestra

Listening Activity – Multiple Choice

Carnival of the Animals by Camille Saint-Saëns.

Carnival of the Animals was composed in February 1886 by a French composer

called Camille Saint-Saëns. The piece is written for a symphony orchestra and has

fourteen different movements that cleverly use sounds created by instruments to

mimic the sounds of different animals. A performance of the whole piece lasts about

twenty-five minutes!

You will be listening to Movement One: Introduction and Royal March of the Lion

Answer the questions below.

45. Which instrument begins the piece?

a. Piano

b. Violin

c. flute

46. What pitch are the very first notes of the piece?

a. High

b. quiet

c. Low

47. Which section of the orchestra plays throughout the introduction?

a. Percussion

b. Brass

c. Strings

48. What is the time signature of this piece?

a. 4/4

b. 3/4

c. 2/4

49. What does the chromatic scale in this piece represent?

a. Lion’s snoring

b. Lion’s roar

c. Lion’s crying

50. What key is this piece in?

a. Major

b. Atonal

c. Minor

51. What dynamic is the very last note of the Royal March of the Lion?

a. Quiet

b. Loud

c. High

52. What is the lion doing in this piece?

a. Stalking an animal

b. Rolling in the grass

c. Sleeping