INSTRUMENTAL STUDIO CURRIULUM FALL 2011
GRADE SEVEN MUSIC: Fall classes begin with one weekly session of both 7-8 Chorus and Instrumental Studio. Studio classes are designed according to the interests of the class. Offered this year are: Guitar, Electric Bass, Drums, Keyboard and Technology Elective. Each instrumental group will meet by itself during the first half of the term. Guitarists will focus on playing chords in progressions, transposing key signatures, mastering a variety of folk and rock’n’roll strums and lead lines, and singing while playing. In Keyboard, students will learn scales, chords and chord structure, musical notation and reading and some basics for improvising. Bass players will focus on chord progressions and how to best use the bass guitar to support an ensemble. Drummers will begin the term on djembes and other hand drums, mastering rhythms in a variety of time signatures and styles, also learning how to best use percussion instruments to support the total band sound. Halfway through the term, bands or ensemble groups will be created, mentored by a teacher, and drummers may switch to a full drum kit. Performance at the 5-8 Winter Concert is expected. The Technology Elective includes music composition through participation in the Vermont Midi Project, digital movie making or another project of choice.
GRADE EIGHT MUSIC: Fall classes begin with one weekly session of both 7-8 Chorus and Instrumental Studio. Studio classes are designed according to the interests of the class. Offered this year are: Guitar, Electric Bass, Drums and Technology Elective. Each instrumental group will meet by itself during the first half of the term. Guitarists will focus on playing chords in progressions, transposing key signatures, mastering a variety of folk and rock’n’roll strums and lead lines, and singing while playing. Bass players will focus on chord progressions and how to best use the bass guitar to support an ensemble. Drummers will begin the term on djembes and other hand drums, mastering rhythms in a variety of time signatures and styles, also learning how to best use percussion instruments to support the total band sound. Halfway through the term, bands or ensemble groups will be created, mentored by a teacher, and drummers may switch to a full drum kit. Performance at the 5-8 Winter Concert is expected. The Technology Elective includes music composition through participation in the Vermont Midi Project, digital movie making or another project of choice.
