Notating Pitch

Concept focus: PITCH

Learning Intentions:

To be able to read notes in the treble clef
To be able to read notes in the bass clef
To be able to compose using both melody and rhythm

The Treble Clef

If you are unfamiliar with reading notes on the treble clef, copy the notes down into your music workbook.

The Bass Clef

The Bass Clef.mp4

If you are unfamiliar with reading notes on the bass clef, copy the notes down into your music workbook.

Melody Composition

Write a simple four bar rhythm in 4/4 then add some pitch to it.

You can write your melody in the treble or bass clef.

Melody Writing Rules:

1. Begin and end your melody on middle C if writing in treble clef or the C below if writing in bass clef.

2. End the 2nd bar on a G.

3. Use mostly steps with some small leaps. You should be able to sing your melody easily.

4. Use only the notes you can see above if writing in the treble clef.

Sample Melody Composition

My First Melody Composition.mov

When you have completed your melody...

Listen critically to the composition you have written. Does it sound good? If not, try to work out why? Do the rhythms sound to boring or too busy? Does the melody have too many leaps? Would changing the instrument make it more interesting?

Try to fix your composition so that you are happy with it.

Revision Activities

Activity 1

Note: If you are confident with reading music notation you can start with Activity 2.

Revise the basics of reading music by watching this video and/or reading through this music theory lesson

How to read music - Tim Hansen.mp4

Activity 2

Test your note reading skills with these exercises. Attempt 1a and 2a and complete 20 responses.

Make a note of your scores in your workbook.

1b and 2b are optional and for students already confident with note reading.

a) Treble Clef Note Naming Part 1 - Name the notes on the Treble staff

b) Treble Clef Note Naming Part 2 - Same as 1a) but includes more notes and accidentals

a) Treble Clef Note Construction Part 1 - Place the notes on the Treble Staff

b) Treble Clef Note Construction Part 2 - Same as 2a) but includes more notes and accidentals

Activity 3

Write a story containing words spelled out in either the treble or bass clef.

For example:

It doesn't matter how many beats are in each bar. Just put the entire word in one bar.

Less-experienced Musicians: Aim for at least 5 notated words in your story. Just use treble clef notes.

Experienced Musicians: Aim for at least 10 notated words in your story. Use treble clef or bass clef or both.

Expert Musicians: Aim for at least 15 notated words in your story. Use a combination of treble and bass clef notes.

Activity 4

In your book, create a find-a-word where the clues are words spelled out on the stave.

Less-experienced musicians: Use either bass clef or treble clef.

Experienced and expert musicians: Use both treble and bass clef

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