Melody in Pasifika Music Traditions

Exploring Musical Lines and Patterns Year 9 Music Education Understanding Cultural Expression Through Sound

Do-Now Activity: Quick Check-In

On a scale of 1 to 5, how are you feeling today? 1 = worst day ever 5 = best you've ever felt Share with a partner if you're comfortable

Learning Intentions & Success Criteria

Learning Intentions - I am learning about melody in Pasifika music - I am learning how melody creates meaning in a song Success Criteria - I can identify the melody in a Pasifika song - I can describe how the melody makes me feel

What is Melody?

Melody is the main tune of a song It is the part you sing along to Notes in a melody can move up or down in pitch Notes can also stay the same Melody is what makes a song easy to remember

Can you think of a song where the melody tells a story?

Think about songs from your culture or family How does the tune make you feel? Does the melody go up when the story gets exciting?

Melody in Pasifika Cultures

Often tells stories of ancestors, land, and sea Uses call-and-response patterns Incorporates natural sounds like ocean waves Passed down through oral tradition for generations

Traditional Pasifika Melodic Patterns

Listening Activity: Identify the Melody

Time: 5-10 minutes Get into groups of 3-4. Listen to 1 or 2 Pasifika music samples. Your task: - Trace the melody with your finger - Does the melody move up, down, or stay flat - find the main instrument or voice - Discuss with your group - Write a brainstorm in one student's book

Melodic Elements in Different Pasifika Cultures

{"left":"Samoan: Flowing melodies that mirror speech patterns\nTongan: Strong rhythmic melodies with group harmonies","right":"Fijian: Intricate melodic ornaments and vocal techniques\nCook Islands: Melodic storytelling with instrumental accompaniment"}

Create Your Own Pasifika-Inspired Melody

In groups of 3-4 Use the lyric stanza given by your teacher Create a melody in 5 minutes Perform your melody for the class Share why you chose it

The Lyric Stanza

Chorus I don't wanna court many like King Solomon,  I don't wanna, fall like King David. I don't wanna be heated w passion,  If I lose my soul in the process. 

Music is the voice of the ancestors speaking through us

- Pacific Island Proverb How does melody carry cultural wisdom? What stories do melodies tell in your family?