Harmony and Complex Rhythm
In this module, students will create, respond, and perform complex music concepts using a variety of musical examples. Students will build upon existing musical knowledge of basic rhythms and pitches to identify and create with complex syncopation, modes, irregular meter, and various music forms from around the world. Students will build chords and chord progressions, use minor scales and modes, and perform and create with extended chords in popular music forms. This module will provide advanced knowledge of harmony, music form, and music texture that will allow students to read, perform, and create in classical and popular music styles.
Essential Questions
- Why do some things sound harmonious and others don't?
- What are the components of music?
- How does understanding the structure and context of musical works inform performance?
- How do people choose what music to experience?
- How do musicians make creative decisions?
- How is music organized?
- How do we judge the quality of musical work(s) and performance(s)?
- What elements create contrast in music?
Module Syllabus
Below is a map of lessons within units, in the order of suggested presentation. You will find a variety of introductory lessons that present a new concept for the first time, practice activities that contain ear training, recognizing, and identifying a concept, and reinforcing activities that include creating with, producing with or performing a concept.