As a teacher, it is important to not only teach students about the technical aspects of music, but also about the power of sounds and how they can be used to evoke emotions and tell stories. Exploring the sonic qualities of music can broaden a student’s understanding and appreciation for music, and introduce them to new ways of listening and interpreting the art.
The first step in teaching students about musical sounds is to introduce them to the basic elements of music. Discuss terms such as pitch, volume, timbre, and rhythm, and how they contribute to the overall sound of a piece. It can be helpful to use examples from different genres of music to illustrate the different elements. For example, a pop song may have a distinct rhythm while a classical piece may have a prominent melody.
Next, introduce students to different instruments and their unique sounds. A hands-on approach such as a classroom instrument petting zoo can be effective in allowing students to explore and experiment with different instruments and create their own sounds. Additionally, introduce students to non-traditional instruments such as found objects or “instrument hacks” to encourage creativity and experimentation.
Once the basics have been established, it is important to encourage students to listen deeply and critically. Select a piece of music with a clear melody and have students focus on the timbre of the instruments. Encourage them to think about how the sound of each instrument contributes to the overall mood of the piece. Another activity could be having students listen to a piece of music without knowing the title or genre and have them describe what they hear and how it makes them feel. This activity can be an excellent way to encourage students to articulate their thoughts and emotions while listening to music.
Finally, it is important to help students connect the sounds they hear in music with aspects of their everyday life. For example, they can listen to the sounds of a bustling city and draw connections to a frenzied and chaotic piece of music. Alternatively, they can listen to the sounds of nature and connect them to peaceful and calming music. Students can even create their own music compositions based on sounds from their daily lives or nature.
