Submitted by Gretchen Taylor, Illinois
Idea posted August 31, 2001
Here's what I'm planning with my fifth graders using Kodály's Viennese Musical Clock:
Have the CD selection playing while kids enter. Let them talk a bit and then turn off music, pass out paper, and ask them to describe in writing what they just heard. Hopefully the responses will be "We weren't paying attention," and such. Talk about why they can't describe much and what they were doing and how that constitutes a level of listening called "casual listening." Discuss other times when they listen "casually."
Intro the Viennese Musical Clock theme on the piano (it's in the key of Eb). Teach this to them by having them sing on "la," clap the rhythm, whatever until they've got it.
Then, play the CD again and ask them to stand up every time they hear this theme. Sit when something else is heard.
Play it again, but simply have them count how many times they hear the theme played. Discuss and see if anyone can tell you how many other parts they heard. Perhaps they could use markings of some kind to indicate the theme and other parts, on paper. This can lead to a quick lesson about rondo form. As you present the form of this piece in your discussion, write it on the board vertically
Intro
A: theme (mf)
B (mf)
A (p)
C (p)
A (pp)
D (pp)
A (f)
Coda (f)
Then on paper, have them write the title, composer, etc. perhaps telling them a little about each. They could also include in their notes the form stucture.
Then discuss questions like Is there a steady beat (like a clock), Are there changes in dynamics? See if they can recall the general dynamic levels and include these on the board by your letters. Do they see apattern? Then ask if there is a "singable" melody. Of course you'll say and then proceed to teach them the "Theme to Remember" (original words by moi :)) which is...
Kodály, he had a clock.
A Viennese Musical Clock.
The instruments play the live long day
To sound just like the clock.
(by the way, Ko is on the upbeat)
At this point, I'll refresh their familiarity with the instrument families with the game of four corners, and then have them listen to the piece one more time listing the predominant instruments they hear on their paper.
If time, or next time, we'll sing and accompany the piece with unpitched instruments as follows...
Intro: just get a feel for the pulse.
A: sing theme
B: play each unpitched family one at a time for 8 beats each
(woods, metals, rattles, skins)
A: sing theme
C: same as for B, but add tongue clicks at the end for eight beats.
A: sing theme
D: same as for B
A: sing theme
Coda: all play tutti for 16 beats
Of course they'll need to follow the dynamics too.