Basics of Playing in a Band II

Summary

In this lesson, students will deepen their experience of playing in a band. They will revise the simple chords, as well as bass and rhythm lines they learned in the previous lesson. Students will get used to playing instruments in groups and practice singing and playing along the song. They will start layering different instrumental parts.

⏰ Time: 50 min

🎓 Grades: 5-12

🎯 Objective(s): As a result of this lesson, students will be able to...

• Understand the role of different instruments in a band;
• Play simple chords, bass lines and rhythm.
• Play together in different combinations of singers and players.

💡 Required Prior Knowledge and Skills:

• Basic notation;
• Basic rhythm values.

💻 Materials:

• Solfeg.io app best used with Chrome browser
• Projector or computer and access to WIFI
• Instruments, such as acoustic or electric guitar, bass guitar, ukulele, piano, drums, percussions

Song suggestions:

Inspire

🕐 5 min - How did the practice go?

You can use these questions as a starting point:

• Did you practice your part before class?
• How did it go?
• Do you still remember your part?

Warm-Up

🕐 10 min - Instrumental groups

• Divide students in groups organized by instrument - same as the previous lesson.
• Let the groups become familiar with their instruments, chords and rhythms, as well as with playing their part together.
• Each group can have a group leader, one student keeping the group focused on learning together.

Practice

🕐 15 min - Show off!

• When students are familiar with their instruments, chords and rhythms, have the groups “show off” what they have learned for the other groups.
• Ask students to listen attentively to the other groups.
• After the performance of each group, ask other students to name at least one thing they liked in their performance.

🕐 15 min - Come together!

• Depending on what instruments you are using, try layering the parts.
• Choose an excerpt of the song students feel the most comfortable in.
• Start with the rhythm section, add the bass, then guitar, and then piano! If you have ukuleles throw them in the mix as well! You can do this in any order and it allows them to hear the way the different instruments contribute to the sound.

Reflection

🕐 5 min - Discuss

• What chords/rhythms/notes have you learned?
• Was playing together challenging?

Beyond the Lesson

Challenge students to go beyond the lesson by...

• Practicing their instruments and parts;
• Playing along the song. For a bigger challenge, they could try muting the track of their instrument.
• Learning their part by heart.

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