Music is not only a subject of enjoyment but also one that stimulates creativity and cognitive development. For JSS 2 students, the second term covers key topics in music that introduce them to a range of musical concepts, from keyboard settings to harmony. This lesson guide provides a thorough, easy-to-understand exploration of each topic, structured for students who are beginners or have limited knowledge in music theory. The goal is to ensure that students gain a solid understanding of the subject and are prepared to apply these concepts practically.
1. Revision: Review of Last Term’s Work
Before diving into new topics, it’s important to revisit the material studied in the previous term. This review solidifies foundational knowledge, making it easier to understand the current concepts.
Key Points:
- Recap of Previous Lessons: Review the musical concepts, notes, and skills learned in the last term.
- Key Areas to Focus: Time signatures, rhythm, basic scales, and notes on the keyboard.
Example:
- Review of the C major scale: C – D – E – F – G – A – B – C.
Reading Assignment:
- Go over your previous notes on rhythm and basic musical notation.
Evaluation Questions:
- What are the components of a scale?
- Name three key musical notes from the C major scale.
- Why is revision important before moving on to new concepts?
2. Keyboard Settings
The keyboard is one of the most widely used instruments in Western music, and learning how to set it up and understand its layout is essential for students.
Key Points:
- Understanding the Layout: The keyboard consists of white and black keys that repeat in octaves. Each note corresponds to a particular frequency or pitch.
- Setting up the Keyboard: How to tune, position the hands, and understand the relationship between the keys.
Example:
- The middle C on the keyboard is typically used as a reference point for tuning and scale starting points.
Reading Assignment:
- Study the diagram of the piano keyboard and memorize the names of the white keys.
Evaluation Questions:
- What is the significance of middle C in music?
- How many octaves are on a standard piano?
- What is the difference between the white and black keys on the keyboard?
3. Classification of Western Musical Instruments
This topic introduces students to the various families of Western musical instruments, providing an understanding of how they are grouped.
Key Points:
- Four Main Families:
- Strings: Violin, cello, guitar.
- Woodwind: Flute, clarinet, saxophone.
- Brass: Trumpet, trombone, French horn.
- Percussion: Drums, tambourine, xylophone.
Example:
- The violin is a string instrument, while the flute is a woodwind instrument. Each family has unique characteristics in how sound is produced.
Reading Assignment:
- Read about the different instruments in each family and their typical uses in orchestras or bands.
Evaluation Questions:
- Name two string instruments and two brass instruments.
- What is the main difference between a woodwind and a brass instrument?
- Which family does the drum belong to?
4. Intervals
Intervals in music refer to the distance between two notes. Understanding intervals is essential for building scales, chords, and melodies.
Key Points:
- Definition: An interval is the distance between two pitches, measured in steps or semitones.
- Common Intervals: Major, minor, perfect, augmented, and diminished intervals.
Example:
- The interval between C and E is a major third, while the interval between C and D is a major second.
Reading Assignment:
- Practice identifying intervals on the keyboard or a musical staff.
Evaluation Questions:
- What is an interval in music?
- What is the interval between C and E called?
- How do you recognize a perfect fifth interval?
5. More on Intervals
This topic extends the understanding of intervals, delving into more complex forms and their role in harmony and melody.
Key Points:
- Compound Intervals: These are intervals larger than an octave.
- Inverted Intervals: When intervals are flipped (e.g., a major third becomes a minor sixth).
Example:
- C to G is a perfect fifth, and G to C (inverted) is a perfect fourth.
Reading Assignment:
- Look at examples of compound intervals and inverted intervals in your music theory book.
Evaluation Questions:
- How do you identify a compound interval?
- What happens to an interval when it is inverted?
- What is the inversion of a major sixth?
6. History of Music: Some Nigerian Art Musicians
Understanding the historical context of music helps students appreciate its evolution. This lesson highlights key Nigerian musicians who have shaped art music.
Key Points:
- Nigerian Art Music: Music that blends indigenous Nigerian sounds with Western classical traditions.
- Notable Musicians:
- Fela Kuti: Pioneer of Afrobeat music.
- Herbert Ogunde: Known for blending traditional Nigerian music with modern styles.
Example:
- Fela Kuti’s music fused jazz, funk, and traditional Nigerian rhythms to create Afrobeat.
Reading Assignment:
- Research the biographies of Nigerian musicians and how they influenced both local and international music scenes.
Evaluation Questions:
- Who is known as the father of Afrobeat?
- Name one Nigerian musician who combined traditional music with Western classical influences.
- How did Fela Kuti influence music globally?
7. Triads and Chords
Triads are the basic building blocks of harmony in Western music. This lesson teaches how triads form chords and how they are used in compositions.
Key Points:
- Triads: A chord consisting of three notes, usually built by stacking thirds.
- Types of Triads: Major, minor, diminished, and augmented triads.
Example:
- C major triad consists of C, E, and G.
- A minor triad consists of A, C, and E.
Reading Assignment:
- Practice building triads on the keyboard, starting from different notes.
Evaluation Questions:
- What is a triad in music?
- Name the notes in a C major triad.
- What is the difference between a major triad and a minor triad?
8. Inversion of Triads
Inverting a triad means changing the order of the notes. This concept is crucial for creating smooth transitions in music.
Key Points:
- Inversion: The process of rearranging the notes in a triad so that different notes are on the bottom.
- First and Second Inversions: Changing the lowest note of the triad.
Example:
- C major triad: C (root), E (first inversion), G (second inversion).
Reading Assignment:
- Study the inversions of common triads and practice them on the piano.
Evaluation Questions:
- What does it mean to invert a triad?
- What is the first inversion of a C major triad?
- How do inversions affect the harmony in music?
9. Rudiments of Harmony in Two-Part Writing
Harmony in music involves the combination of different musical notes to produce a pleasing sound. In two-part writing, students learn how to harmonize melodies.
Key Points:
- Two-Part Harmony: Writing music with two independent melodies that complement each other.
- Basic Rules: Harmony should follow specific voice-leading rules to create smooth transitions.
Example:
- A two-part composition where one part plays the melody, and the second part harmonizes by playing complementary notes.
Reading Assignment:
- Write a simple two-part harmony using a melody and harmonizing it with intervals.
Evaluation Questions:
- What is two-part writing in music?
- How do harmonies enhance a melody?
- What are the basic rules of voice leading?
10. Ear Training (Practical)
Ear training helps students develop the ability to identify musical elements such as intervals, chords, and rhythms by ear.
Key Points:
- Listening Skills: The ability to identify pitches, intervals, and rhythms without looking at sheet music.
- Practical Exercises: Regular ear training practices to improve recognition of musical patterns.
Example:
- Practicing interval recognition by listening to pairs of notes and identifying their interval.
Reading Assignment:
- Regularly practice identifying intervals and chords by ear using online ear training tools.
Evaluation Questions:
- What is ear training, and why is it important?
- How can you improve your ability to recognize intervals?
- Name a practical exercise to train your ear.
Conclusion
These JSS 2 second-term lessons provide a comprehensive foundation in music theory, helping students understand key concepts such as keyboard settings, musical intervals, and harmony. With practical applications, such as ear training and writing two-part harmony, students will develop both their theoretical and practical skills in music.
