How to Teach Music Theory Beginner A Lesson 11
Welcome to the How to Teach Ultimate Music Theory Beginner A Workbook Series - Lesson 11 - Quarter Notes
The Ultimate Music Theory Beginner A, B and C Workbook Series is the perfect theory supplement for Beginner Students (ALL ages, ANY instrument). The UMT Beginner A, B, C Series works with every Method Series and with every Learning Style.
In this Blog, we will look at how to teach the concepts in the Music Theory Beginner A Workbook Lesson 11. Remember to read the first 11 Blogs in this series:
Music Theory Beginner A Overview
Music Theory Beginner A - Lesson 1
Music Theory Beginner A - Lesson 2
Music Theory Beginner A - Lesson 3
Music Theory Beginner A - Lesson 4
Music Theory Beginner A - Lesson 5
Music Theory Beginner A - Lesson 6
Music Theory Beginner A - Lesson 7
Music Theory Beginner A - Lesson 8
Music Theory Beginner A - Lesson 9
Music Theory Beginner A - Lesson 10
Join me as we explore tips and tricks to incorporate theory, ear training, sight reading, and games into every lesson. Let's jump in!
How to Teach Music Theory Beginner A Lesson 11 Page 72 - Quarter Notes
Lesson 11 starts off by introducing the Quarter Note in the Treble Staff, using the Middle C Pentascale from Middle C - G.
When I introduce this page, I like to discuss that a Quarter Note has 2 parts - a notehead (the black oval/circle) and a stem. When the stem is UP, the stem is written on the right side of the notehead. When the stem is DOWN, the stem is written on the left side of the notehead. So - Stem UP on the RIGHT and Stem DOWN on the LEFT.
Have your student stand up and pretend that their head is the Notehead. If we put our right hand UP (on the right side of our head), then our left hand goes DOWN on the left side of our head.
This is a great place to introduce the Stem Length Rules. For me, the easiest way to remember how long my stem should be is to use the "Rule of 3":
- When a Quarter Note is written in a SPACE, extend the stem length through 3 SPACES.
- When a Quarter Note is written on a LINE, extend the stem length through 3 LINES.
I remind my students that, if they cannot draw a straight line, they should use a ruler. Those stems need to be straight!
How to Teach Music Theory Beginner A Lesson 11 - Stem Length Exception
There is an exception to the Stem Length Rule of 3, and that is when we are dealing with notes that are written on Ledger Lines.
This is not introduced in the Music Theory Beginner A Workbook, but it is a great moment for me to review this with you (the Teacher).
I taught this concept incorrectly for a good 40 years. I thought that a stem length was simply always the same length, no matter where it was written. OOPS, no! When a notehead is on a ledger line, the stem must be extended to anchor to Staff Line #3.
So, if your note is 20 ledger lines below the staff, that stem must go from beside the notehead all the way to Staff Line #3. (It really does make sense! That note isn't just blowing in the breeze amongst a bunch of ledger lines - the note gets anchored to the Staff when the stem extends to Staff Line #3. So cool!)
How to Teach Music Theory Beginner A Lesson 11 - Page 73 - Introducing the SCOOP
The Ultimate Music Theory Program uses the "Scoop" - a Scoop is a visual representation of one beat of sound (or silence).
Please note that in the Music Theory Beginner Series, we are working with a Quarter Note being equal to one Basic Beat. Therefore, a Scoop will equal One Quarter Note (or one beat of sound).
This is pre-teaching Time Signatures where the bottom number is "4" (which indicates that a Quarter Note equals 1 Basic Beat).
How to Teach Music Theory Beginner A Lesson 11 Page 74 - Quarter Notes in the Treble Staff.
Students are reviewing the Notes of the C Pentascale Position in the Treble Staff (Middle C - D - E - F - G). In many Method Books, this is often referred to as "C Position". I like to call it "C Pentascale" or "C Pentascale Position" simply to pre-teach that word "Pentascale".
Let's take a little "Pop Quiz". Can you identify which is the correct placement of Middle C as a Quarter Note in the Treble Staff (and can you identify what is incorrect about the incorrectly written notes)?
Pop Quiz Answer
1) Incorrect. Reason - the Ledger Line/Notehead is written too far away from the Staff and the Stem is not extended to anchor to Staff Line #3.
2) Incorrect. Reason - the Ledger Line/Notehead is written too close to the Staff.
3) Incorrect. The Ledger Line is too short and the Stem is written on the incorrect side of the notehead.
4) Correct. The Ledger Line is long enough that you can see the note in the middle of the Ledger Line. The Ledger Line is also spaced equally like the Staff Lines. The Stem is extended through to Staff Line #3. (Yay!)
How to Teach Music Theory Beginner A Lesson 11 - Page 78
When your student writes Middle C in the Bass Staff, the stem is written going down on the left side of the notehead, and extends through Staff Line #3.
Let's take another "Pop Quiz". Can you identify which is the correct placement of Middle C as a Quarter Note in the Bass Staff (and can you identify what is incorrect about the incorrectly written notes)?
Pop Quiz Answer
1) Incorrect. Reason - the Ledger Line/Notehead is written too far away from the Staff and the Stem is not extended to anchor to Staff Line #3.
2) Incorrect. Reason - the Ledger Line/Notehead is written too close to the Staff.
3) Incorrect. The Ledger Line is too short and the Stem is written on the incorrect side of the notehead.
4) Correct. The Ledger Line is long enough that you can see the note in the middle of the Ledger Line. The Ledger Line is also spaced equally like the Staff Lines. The Stem is extended through to Staff Line #3. (Yay!)
How to Teach Music Theory Beginner A Lesson 11- Play and Say It
Before you mark these pages (especially Pages 74-75 in the Treble Staff, and Pages 78-79 in the Bass Staff), ask your Student to PLAY their answers, saying the letter names aloud.
They just might discover a Boo-Boo (and then fix it before you mark it).
With a Smile and a Song,
Shelagh McKibbon-U'Ren
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Keep on Learning... With a Smile and a Song!
Shelagh McKibbon-U'Ren
