Chords and Composition

Overview

In this lesson, Year 7 students will explore beginner guitar and piano chords to assist them in writing a pop song. The lesson adheres to the Australian Curriculum: The Arts, specifically under the music learning area for Year 7-8 bands, which encourages developing skills and knowledge of music styles, elements, and notation.

Duration: 70 minutes
Class Size: 30 Students

Objectives

• Music Theory: Understand basic music theory concepts relevant to reading and composing music.
• Instrumental Skills: Learn beginner chords on guitar and piano, focusing on their application in pop music.
• Composition: Begin composing a simple pop song using learned chords.
• Types of Instruments: Differentiate between various types of musical instruments.

Materials

• 10 acoustic guitars
• 5 keyboards
• Whiteboard and markers
• Music theory workbooks
• Printed chord charts (guitar and piano)
• Audio samples of popular music

Lesson Structure

Introduction (10 minutes)

• Greeting and Objectives: Brief introduction of the lesson objectives, highlighting the link to the Australian Curriculum.
• Music Engagement: Play a short audio clip of a popular pop song. Ask students to identify instruments and elements of the music such as rhythm and melody.

Music Theory Basics (15 minutes)

• Treble Clef Reading: Introduce the treble clef, demonstrating how to read basic notes using the whiteboard. Use musical flashcards to reinforce note recognition.
• Rhythm Basics: Discuss the concept of rhythm in music, exploring simple rhythmic patterns and their notation.
• Instrument Types: Briefly explain different types of instruments (string, percussion, woodwind, brass, and keyboard) with visual aids and examples.

Guitar and Piano Chords (25 minutes)

• Guitar Chords Introduction: Split class into two groups. Group one focuses on guitar:

  • Demonstrate and practice E minor, A minor, and C major chords.
  • Discuss chord progression and how these chords are commonly used in pop songs.

• Piano Chords Introduction: Simultaneously, Group two focuses on piano:

  • Demonstrate and practice C major, G major, and A minor chords.
  • Explain chord inversion and voice leading simple transitions between chords.

• Rotation Schedule: Rotate groups after 12 minutes.

Composition Activity (15 minutes)

• Group Composition Task: In pairs, students select a chord progression (e.g., C-G-Am-F) and begin composing a simple melody on either guitar or piano.
• Creative Exploration: Encourage experimenting with rhythm and vocal harmonies if time permits.

Conclusion and Reflection (5 minutes)

• Class Sharing: Allow 2-3 student pairs to share their composed melody.
• Reflection: Prompt students to discuss what they found challenging or exciting about the process.
• Homework Task: Assign exploring another simple pop song of their choice, identifying the chords used.

Assessment

• Informal Observation: Participation and engagement during practical and theoretical activities.
• Reflective Discussion: Contribution to class discussions on music theory and composition.

Teacher's Notes

Adaptations and Extensions

• For Advanced Learners: Offer more complex chord options and additional compositional elements such as melody writing and lyric incorporation.
• For Additional Support: Spend extra time on finger placement and hand positions for chords; use colour-coded music sheets.

Curriculum Alignment

This lesson aligns with the Australian Curriculum: The Arts, specifically targeting the learning area of Music for Year 7-8 bands. It supports students in exploring and responding to musical styles and elements, while also developing instrumental technique and compositional skills.

Incorporate this lesson into broader units on the history of pop music or further exploration into songwriting and composition in various musical styles, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of music's cultural and theoretical context.