Basics of Playing in a Band IV

Summary

In this lesson, students will consolidate and further improve their playing and singing skills, continuing the work they did in the previous lessons. They will do a dress rehearsal, have a short feedback session and do the final performance which will be recorded.

⏰ 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 in a band;
• Give feedback on the performance of their peers;
• Do the final performance.

💡 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
• Recording device, camera or mobile phone

Inspire

🕐 5 min - Are you ready to perform?

You can use these questions as a starting point:

• Did you practice your part before class?
• How did it go?
• What is performance?
• What makes it worth watching or listening to?
• What should I think about during my performance?
• Should I listen to other instruments or just focus on my part?

Warm-Up

🕐 20 min - Run throughs

• Split your students into their instrument groups and treat your first few run throughs as a performance. After each run through give and ask for feedback.
• Were the chords, rhythms, and lyrics performed correctly?
• What worked well and what did not?
• How can we improve the sound or play better together?
• Are we ready to start using dynamics to make the music more exciting?

Practice

🕐 10 min - Dress rehearsal

• Run a final dress rehearsal before recording a performance.

🕐 10 min - Performance

• Do the final performance of the song!
• Record it! Both audio and video recording work well for going back and reflecting on performances and to find areas for improvement. A simple video recorded with your phone can bring lots of positive emotions to your students' families, and will also strengthen your bond with parents as a teacher.

Reflection

🕐 5 min - Congratulations!

• Congratulate the band(-s) on their performance! Give a short feedback, focusing on the positive aspects.
• Ask the young players to describe their experience during the performance.
• How was the performance different from your previous practice?
• What did you enjoy the most?
• Would you like to prepare and perform other songs? Which?

Beyond the Lesson

Challenge students to go beyond the lesson by...

• Continuing practicing their instruments;
• Exploring the song library and looking for other songs to learn.

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