On a piece of blank paper, draw a sequence of symbols for rests from left to right, and make the order very random. Then draw about a half dozen or more similar sequences under the first one, each with a different order of rest symbols. Don’t think too hard about it, just scramble them up. Then, start with the first line and recite the name of each rest’s relative duration: eighth, whole, quarter… (whatever the order is). Set a slow tempo at a steady beat for the first line. Then, for each succeeding line, increase the tempo until you are reading the lines as fast as you can (you can just say them in your head if reciting out loud becomes too slow). There is no right or wrong, it’s just helpful practice in musicianship

Exercise two

For this one, get with another student who is also learning about music notation. Each of you should draw symbols for rests on a piece of paper. Some should be correctly drawn, and some should contain some mistake. For those drawn incorrectly, it would be best to include only one mistake per symbol; don’t try to “trick” one another. For those drawn incorrectly, identify the specific mistake made. Draw a line to the mistake and provide a written description. Then, submit it to your instructor.

(AO L14)

The grand staff and the C-clef

Find an orchestral or band score in your library or elsewhere. Make a copy, and practice writing the letter names of the notes. Don’t worry about rhythms in this lesson; just set a steady beat and name the notes. Do the exercise using a variety of staves: treble, bass, grand, C-clef – whatever is used in the score.  Once you finish, submit your work to your instructor.

(AE L14)

Contemplating the flexibility of the C-clef

The interesting thing about the C-clef is that is it moveable, meaning that it can move up and down the staff in order to fit the range of the voice or instrument the music is written for. Today, the C-clef is only used for a couple of instruments.

  • Do you know which instruments it is used for?
  • Why do you think those instruments need to use the C-clef?
  • Why can’t their music be written in the treble or bass clef?
  • What do you think the benefits of having a third clef are?
  • Do you think having a third clef sign is a good thing or not? Why?

Create a post on the discussion board adding your opinions on these questions, and comment on at least two other students’ posts.

(AE L17)

Writing and recognizing time signatures

Knowing how to recognize time signatures and what they represent makes reading music easier. Attached is a worksheet for you to print out and fill in to help you with this musical task. There is also staff paper attached for you to practice writing time signatures yourself.

Remember that the top number is situated between the middle line and the top line of the staff and the bottom number goes between the bottom line and middle line. Again, neatness is important! Once you’ve finished both, post them to the discussion board and talk about how easy or difficult this was to figure out. Were any time signatures harder than the others? Comment on two other posts.